New scholarship program designed to cultivate strong leaders for struggling schools

A new University of Indianapolis scholarship program is aimed at teachers who want to advance their careers and help turn around struggling schools.

The iLEAD/CELL Scholarship Program for Future School Leaders offers scholarships of $2,500 to $3,500 toward tuition in the UIndy School of Education’s principal preparation program, which combines course work and field experience in a convenient format of Saturday class meetings and online assignments. Graduates of the 18-month iLEAD program emerge with a master of arts degree in educational leadership or, in the case of those who already have master’s degrees, a building administrator license.

The scholarships are available to 12 to 16 students each year. The current application deadline is Aug. 13.
Ideal candidates are licensed teachers currently working in schools that are struggling to meet federal progress requirements. Scholarship recipients are expected to pursue principal positions or other leadership roles in high-need schools and also to remain active in the iLEAD program as mentors, presenters and evaluators.

The program is funded by UIndy’s Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning. CELL collaborates with schools, communities, businesses and policymakers in transforming education, improving student achievement and strengthening quality of life and economic development throughout Indiana.

For more information, visit http://education.uindy.edu/ilead or call the UIndy School of Education graduate programs office at (317) 788-2051.