Higher education isnât generally known for its agility. But when Bret Heller recognized the shortage of qualified candidates to fill leadership positions in the West Ada School District, he turned to the U of I â which sprang into action. Heller is the deputy superintendent for West Ada School District â the largest district in one of the fastest growing areas in the country. He first met with Chandra Zenner Ford, CEO of U of I Boise and southwestern Idaho, and laid out a vision for bolstering the districtâs leadership candidate pool. Philip Scruggs, interim dean of College of Education, Health and Human Sciences and Department Chair of Leadership and Counseling Laura Holyoke helped bring the vision to life. Less than a year later, the West Ada Principal Cohort began meeting at the West Ada School District Training Facility. U of I assistant professors Penny Tenuto and Elizabeth Wargo provide the course content and guidance to school district personnel, who teach the class. The 26 students meet Monday and Wednesday evenings to accommodate their teaching schedules. The partnership is going smoothly thanks to the hard work and cooperation on both sides. âEveryone involved has helped to make this work and supported getting the cohort up and running,â said Michelle Weitz, West Ada Cohort coordinator. The West Ada Cohort is an excellent example of the U of Iâs unique ability to innovate and adjust to the demands of markets. Our land-grant mission compels us to serve the needs of our state and improve the lives of our citizens. Speaking of improving lives, on Saturday we will be honoring 596 U of I graduates at our Winter Commencement Ceremony. These newest Vandal alumni endured a challenging journey over the past several years and deserve celebration. Congratulations to all our graduates and to those who helped them reach this milestone. |