A powerful new partnership between two of the nation’s leading educational leadership organizations is opening doors for women aspiring to district-level leadership across the western United States.

ACSA and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, have partnered to create the ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Women Leaders — a cohort-based leadership development program designed specifically for women educational leaders who are considering or actively pursuing the superintendency.

Despite progress in recent years, women remain significantly underrepresented in superintendent roles nationwide. This academy responds directly to that gap by creating a West Coast pathway aligned with AASA’s nationally recognized leadership development efforts. This new academy is grounded in the belief that leadership development must be both rigorous and deeply supportive, particularly for women and other minorities stepping into the superintendency.

“Women lead best when they are deeply supported, well-prepared, and connected to a powerful professional network,” said Dr. Candy Singh, director of the AASA–ACSA Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Women Leaders. “This academy was intentionally designed to reflect those conditions while centering equity, access, and opportunity for all students and communities.”

A distinctive approach What sets this academy apart is its design and delivery — created and led exclusively by women superintendents who bring lived experience and practical insight to every aspect of the program. Current and retired women superintendents serve as faculty, mentors, and coaches, providing participants with candid guidance from leaders who have successfully navigated the complexities of district leadership. This approach ensures participants aren’t just learning about the superintendency — they’re learning from women who have lived the role.

Comprehensive leadership development The curriculum addresses the full spectrum of superintendent leadership, including:

• The evolving role of the superintendent in today’s educational landscape.
• Equity-driven leadership and advancing inclusive, student-centered systems.
• Executive leadership, governance, and board relations.
• Navigating political, community, and organizational complexity.
• Leading systems through change with courage and clarity.
• Sustaining leadership through resilience and professional support.

Through facilitated dialogue, real-world case studies, reflective practice, and peer collaboration, participants engage deeply with the challenges and opportunities of district-level leadership.

“This academy is designed to prepare women to pursue the superintendency and to ensure they are ready to lead, sustain, and thrive once they achieve their goals,” said Dr. Valerie Truesdale, senior vice president of AASA’s Leadership Network. “By creating trusted networks, providing authentic mentorship, and centering equity in leadership practice, this partnership strengthens the pipeline of women superintendents and supports their long-term success.”