CEC’s Diversity Leadership Academy
The Diversity Leadership Academy is a substantive professional development program established for special education professionals who share a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the field of special education.
Award Details:
The Diversity Leadership Academy is a substantive professional development program established for special education professionals who share a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the field of special education.
Program Purpose:
- To support members from racially diverse backgrounds/underrepresented ethnic groups that have been historically under-represented in the professions of special education;
- To provide focused educational programming and activities to build and enhance leadership skills;
- To provide an opportunity for program participants to interact with mentors in the professions of special education.
Professional Development and Training
Program participants will participate in interactive sessions on a variety of topics including the following:
- Critical Issues in Special Education
- Culturally Sustaining Leadership: Practical Strategies for Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in the Curriculum
- Leading with Courage
- Sustaining Leaders by Honoring our Mental Health
- Building Influence with Others and developing Partnerships with Communities and Families
- Culturally Sustaining Advocacy
- Culturally Sustaining Practice in Action
Networking & Building Community
Participants will join an exclusive cohort of Diversity Leadership Academy participants, providing an opportunity to participate in monthly facilitated discussions that provide an in-depth exploration of current DEI issues and trends that impact the special education field and professionals.
Mentoring
Each participant will be matched with a mentor and engage in monthly one-on-one sessions. The mentor will serve as a resource for professional development and career advice for the program participant.
Program Dates
The inaugural 2024 Leadership Academy cohort will begin in April 2024 and conclude in December 2025.
Award Package
Program participants will receive a travel reimbursement of up to $500, four nights hotel lodging, and complimentary registration to the CEC 2025 Convention & Expo in Baltimore, MD. In addition, there may be special opportunities provided for networking and mentoring at the in-person convention. In addition to the convention, CEC will provide a one-year professional membership in CEC and the Division for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners (DDEL).
The applicant must be from a racially diverse background/underrepresented ethnic group and a current member of CEC. Career professionals, teachers, and graduate students who demonstrate leadership qualities and seek to impact beyond the classroom are encouraged to apply. Applicants should demonstrate and plan to acquire skills to become advocates for equitable education practices and policy.
Participation Requirements
By applying to the 2024 Leadership Academy, you are agreeing to:
- Be a member of CEC;
- Participate in quarterly virtual group sessions and monthly mentoring sessions;
- Attend the CEC 2025 Convention & Expo in Baltimore, MD;
- Upon completion of the program, participants are encouraged to create a plan for how they will share the newly acquired knowledge with their peers in their school or professional community;
- Upon completion of the program, engage with future participants of the Diversity Leadership Academy as a contributor, mentor, or ambassador.
- Submit the 2024 Leadership Academy online application
- The application will open December 11, 2023 and close January 16, 2024
Applicants must:
- Submit an online application and answer the following questions:
- What qualities do you believe are needed to be a great leader/advocate for DEI in special education?
- If selected, how will you apply your experience in the Diversity Leadership Academy to your current and future roles supporting exceptional children?
- What are you expecting to gain from participating in the Diversity Leadership Academy and how will this help support your DEI journey?
- Submit a resume/CV