The next generation of leaders: shaping the future of education!

In 2006 ACSA launched a proactive strategy to solicit input from young and new administrators about how ACSA could expand its marketing efforts and services for the next generation of educational leaders. The strategy focused heavily on invitations to Generation X luncheons, face-to-face interaction, follow-up from ACSA staff and a belief that listening and responding to professionals new to administration is an important step in creating greater knowledge about ACSA and all it has to offer.

The first luncheon was held November 2006 at ACSA’s Annual Conference and it attracted about a dozen Generation Xers eager to share their views. The November 2007 luncheon at the Leadership Summit attracted more than 40 participants and solidified our belief that we are on the right track by providing beginning administrators informal opportunities to interact with peers.

Meanwhile, ACSA’s Delegate Assembly began conducting breakout sessions to solicit information about how ACSA can help meet the needs of administrators who are new to the job and about how existing programs and services could be tailored to appeal to this particular audience. These sessions have added value to our ability to inform young and new administrators about the services that ACSA currently provides and to establish a network for new administrators within ACSA leadership. Additionally, ACSA launched a Next Generation e-newsletter that is distributed regularly to this important demographic.

ACSA’s goals for our next generation effort are to employ various Internet initiatives that appeal to new administrators and to continue to provide networking opportunities at ACSA conferences and Delegate Assembly. In addition, in response to the feedback we’ve received, we plan to enhance existing networking and professional learning opportunities to meet the needs of those embarking on a career in school administration.