The first cohort of a new academy for aspiring female superintendents held its inaugural meeting recently in Sacramento.

ACSA and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, have partnered to develop the ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Women Leaders, a leadership development program designed specifically for women educational leaders who are considering or actively pursuing the superintendency. Forty-one women are embarking on this yearlong learning journey created and led exclusively by women superintendents.

During six in-person and virtual sessions, academy directors and mentors will draw on their experience and deep knowledge of the superintendency to share practical insights on leading school systems with courage and clarity.

Academy Directors Dr. Zandra Jo Galván, superintendent of Salinas Union HSD, and Dr. Candace Singh, executive coach and leadership development facilitator, will facilitate dialogue, share real-world case studies, and create space for collaboration and reflection, allowing participants to engage deeply with the challenges and opportunities of district-level leadership.