Silver Spring, MD – September 17, 2024 – Today, Advance CTE proudly announces the 2024-25 cohort of the Postsecondary State CTE Leaders Fellowship at Advance CTE — Sponsored by ECMC Foundation (Fellowship).
The Fellowship strives to address the growing shortage of state postsecondary Career Technical Education (CTE) leaders by closing representation gaps and removing barriers to leadership advancement. Through individualized supports, intentional networks, and a real-world Fellowship project, Advance CTE – ECMCF Fellows are gaining the skills and connections to pursue leadership positions and advance high-quality, equitable postsecondary CTE systems in their state.
“Advance CTE is thrilled to have the opportunity to launch our third cohort of the Fellowship, through the generous support of ECMC Foundation. Our dedication is not only to help develop a robust, diverse CTE leadership talent pipeline but also to equip these leaders with the skills and knowledge to create CTE policies that dismantle and rebuild inequitable systems so that all learners can access and succeed in high-quality CTE programs,” said Kate Kreamer, executive director of Advance CTE. “Over the last four years, we have had the opportunity to engage with nearly 30 of the brightest and strongest equity-minded leaders in postsecondary CTE and workforce development through the first two cohorts of the Fellowship. We are excited to engage, learn from, and work with the 20 impressive postsecondary CTE leaders of the third cohort.”
Over the course of the 15-month Fellowship, Fellows gain strategic, equity-minded leadership skills and build networks to address systemic inequities and advance high-quality, equitable state postsecondary CTE systems through interactive, in-depth virtual workshops with a curriculum rooted in quality, equity and collaboration; intentional spaces for networking with Fellows and national CTE leaders; individual coaching; and a real-world project in their local education institution or community. The Fellowship is part of ECMC Foundation’s CTE Leadership Collaborative, which brings together diverse perspectives and equips CTE leaders with the tools, resources, and skills needed to advance the field.
“In the third iteration of the Fellowship, Advance CTE has effectively recruited a cohort of 20 Fellows across 16 states and the District of Columbia, from diverse geographic and demographic backgrounds who are preparing to lead postsecondary CTE agencies and institutions,” said Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, Sr., senior advisor at Advance CTE. “By participating in the ECMCF Leadership Collaborative, Fellows gain access to an extensive and invaluable network of CTE professionals, a critical element of success for CTE leaders. Networking opportunities like the Collaborative allow Fellows to leverage their expertise and the knowledge gained through the Fellowship into a dynamic state postsecondary leadership portfolio with a focus on high-quality administrative practices with an equity lens.”
The Fellowship would not be possible without the generous support of ECMC Foundation.
“The Fellowship at Advance CTE continues to be a unique and powerful venue for developing leaders who can adeptly lead agencies and institutions in delivering high-quality postsecondary CTE programs,” said Anna Fontus, program officer at ECMC Foundation. “We are proud to support Advance CTE as they work towards supporting postsecondary CTE programs [and leaders] that will eliminate equity gaps in postsecondary completion. This fellowship has already been an exemplar in the field, and we look forward to the transformative change it will bring to institutions, agencies, and students across the country.”
2024-25 Advance CTE – ECMCF Fellows
Dr. Kisha Aites, Georgia
NiñaFe Awong, Florida
Terryn Batiste, Texas
Renee Blackshear, Texas
Ignacio Chaparro, Massachusetts
Eloy Garza, Texas
Mark Gray, North Carolina
Chasity Johnson, North Carolina
Quentin Kelly, Louisiana
Katina Lindsay, New Jersey
Dr. Cory Ortiz, Alaska
Brian Rick, Illinois
Dr. Sara Shaw, Nevada
Dr. Shelanda Simmons, Tennessee
Yingfah Thao, Minnesota
Willie Thompson, South Carolina
Dr. Brittani Williams, District of Columbia
Kellise Williamson, Maryland
Mike Woods, New York
Kelly Zinck, Oregon
To learn more about the Advance CTE – ECMCF Fellows and Fellowship alumni please visit https://careertech.org/what-we-do/initiatives/postsecondary-state-cte-leaders-fellowship/
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Advance CTE is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary, and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports state CTE leadership to advance high-quality and equitable CTE policies, programs, and pathways that ensure career and college success without limits for each learner.
ECMC Foundation is a Los Angeles-based, nationally focused foundation whose mission is to improve higher education for career success among underserved populations through evidence-based innovation. It is one of several affiliates under the ECMC Group enterprise based in Minneapolis. ECMC Foundation makes investments to remove barriers to postsecondary education; build the capacity of institutions, systems, and organizations; and transform the postsecondary ecosystem using a spectrum of funding structures, including strategic grantmaking and program-related investments, to invest in both nonprofit and for-profit ventures. Working with grantees, partners, and peers, ECMC Foundation’s vision is for all learners to unlock their fullest potential. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visiting www.ecmcfoundation.org and ECMC Group by visiting www.ecmcgroup.org.
Media contact: Jodi Langellotti, [email protected]
