UC and CPS collaborate on inaugural Principal Leadership Institute

The three-day event empowered school leaders through development opportunities

The first-ever Principal Leadership Institute (PLI) welcomed public school leaders to the University of Cincinnati's College of Law for three days of presentations and collaborative sessions aimed at leadership development for stronger educational outcomes in the city of Cincinnati.

A collaboration between the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Public School system, PLI gathered school leaders from across the city to focus on leadership, learning, culture and management.

The idea for the three-day event was born out of a conversation between between CPS Superintendent Shauna Murphy and UC Enrollment Management leadership about the need for continuing education experiences for CPS principals. The conversation and the resulting PLI event were part of the CPS Strong partnership that UC maintains with the district to improve student readiness, access, success and workforce outcomes.

"Last fall, Superintendent Shauna Murphy asked us to build out a leadership institute for all 66 elementary, middle/jr. high, and high school CPS principals," explains UC's Asst. Vice Provost Tara Stopfel Warden. "She'd had the opportunity to attend something similar at Harvard University years ago and felt confident that UC could well meet that need for her leaders."

"When I was a young principal, there were adults who poured into me, who helped me to sharpen my sword," says Murphy. "I really felt the need to be able to do that for our principals this school year. How can we partner to make our principals stronger and provide world-class professional experiences for them?"

Working together for community success

UC School of Education Assistant Professor Elsheika Pennerman was given the opportunity to coordinate the event and, within weeks, had initiated conversations and begun the planning process for PLI alongside the CPS leadership team.

"The PLI committee wanted to curate an elevated continuing education experience for CPS principals," explains Pennerman. "The institute provided principals with research-based resources, mirrored their hard work and dedication to the Cincinnati community, reaffirmed their commitment, and communicated gratitude for their work."

As an event co-developed by the School of Education, PLI was woven through with the influence and assistance of UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH). College faculty led a number of the presentations, while CECH Dean Lisa Huffman delivered the event's keynote address. CECH also provided partial sponsorship, marketing services, event volunteers and curriculum coordination.

All 66 CPS principals, the superintendent and three deputy/assistant superintendents, and a number of other district leaders attended the full PLI, which revealed a strong appetite for an annual professional development event. As such PLI is expected to return next year, perhaps even offered to other school districts to expand the impact of UC's commitment to community improvement.

"The partnership on this effort between UC and CPS allowed us to leverage university resources to bring exceptional, cutting-edge expertise from CECH to our city's principals in a tailored way," explains Stopfel Warden. "The district is in a time of significant change, re-organization and budgetary challenge. Rather than holding back on launching a new institute, the superintendent determined that this was an important time to ensure the preparation and alignment of her principal team was well-focused across the district."

The efforts on display in this event amounted to unequivocal success for all involved, a sentiment echoed by Murphy. "Everything that the University of Cincinnati poured into this, from the Education department to the Recruitment department to the Business department ... so many people came to the table to work with us and support us. I think this has done nothing but help us to be stronger as an organization as we prepare to welcome kids back."

Day one

The Principal Leadership Institute offered CPS leaders an elevated professional development opportunity. Photo by Daniel Johnson, CECH Marketing

The three days of PLI were broken into various relevant subject areas, covered via instructional presentations and numerous opportunities to engage in thoughtful conversation with colleagues in breakout sessions. Day one of PLI kicked things off with a keynote from Nancy Zimpher, President of National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) and former president of UC. Zimpher shared insight for adaptive leadership techniques to help navigate complex times.

The day's sessions were broken into two subject areas, Instructional Leadership and Funding, and featured the following presentations focused on leading through times of change, and raising and utilizing available funds:

"Owning the Numbers: How School Leaders Turn Data into Meaningful Change Through Collective Commitment" (Scott Ebbrecht)
"Becoming an Instructional Leader" (Joan Walker)
"Educational Leaders as Instructional Leaders: Student Positioning in the Classroom" (Elsheika Pennerman)
"AI for Educational Leaders: Driving Innovation, Equity, and Efficiency" (David Clark)
"Writing and Winning Grants" (Terry Davis)
"Maximizing Impact: Understanding Title I Funding and Strategic Spending"(Nan Hagood, Paul Smith)
"Smart Stewardship: How School Leaders Strategically Align Resources to Fuel Purpose and Performance" (Scott Ebbrecht)

Day two

School principals sit around a table during a presentation

The PLI event offered a variety of presentations and sessions. Photo by Daniel Johnson, CECH Marketing

Day two covered the topics of Transformational Leadership and Trauma-Informed Care, and the day began with a keynote from Marianne Lewis, Dean of UC Lindner College of Business, on the topic of embracing "yes/and" thinking when tackling demands of their professions.

The day featured the following sessions:

"Barbershop Talks: Engaging Cultural Practices to Support Black Boys’ Engagement, Belonging, and Success" (Jarrod Druery)
"Wired for Connection: The Neuroscience Behind Student Belonging and Actionable Strategies for Schools" (Suzie White)
"Care and Social-Emotional Well-Being: Level up Your Leadership Practices" (Kate Kennedy)
"Understanding ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), Trauma and Promoting Resilience in Schools" (Kevin Jamison, Robert Shapiro)

Day three

Two people stand with a balloon background and the letters U C and C P S in lights

The PLI event was a collaborative effort between University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Public Schools. Photo by Daniel Johnson, CECH Marketing

The final day of PLI focused on the topic of Recruitment and Retention, and Lisa Huffman, Dean of CECH, got things rolling with a keynote that encouraged principals to center presence, purpose and possibility as they stay connected to the "why" of their profession. The day featured the following presentations:

"Building Teacher Capacity Through Mentorship" (Deborah Jackson, Anita Kim McCullom)
"We Failed, We Listened, We Changed: Relational Parent Engagement Strategies That Reached Over 2,500 Families" (Suzie White)
"Breaking Down Silos: Addressing Organizational Behavior, Governance, and Collaboration Challenges in Schools" (Everrett Smith)
"School and Community Partnerships" (Ceair Baggett along with the School and Community Partnership Team)

CPS superintendent Shauna Murphy closed out PLI with a talk that encouraged the leaders in attendence as they prepare for another school year in the district.

Featured image at the top: CPS Superintendent Shauna Murphy poses with CPS Assistant Superintendents Deb Klein and Amy Randolph at the inaugural Principal Leadership Institute at UC. Photo by Daniel Johnson, CECH Marketing

Next Lives Here

The College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services and Information Technology is committed to the pursuit of discovery and excellence in research, teaching and service that addresses real world challenges and opportunities to create positive social change. The nationally renowned college includes four academic schools – School of Education, School of Criminal Justice, School of Human Services and School of Information Technology – operating under the common mission to affect communities in positive ways.