Howard University Governance and Strategic Leadership Academy

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Howard University

School Board Member Academy in Partnership with Howard University

The Governance and Strategic Leadership Academy will bolster support for effective governance in PreK-12 schools by addressing policy development, budgeting, and superintendent evaluation best practices as a core part of the strategic planning process. Executive coaching is available for interested participants. Participants will engage with superintendents, school board leaders, state association leaders, and Howard University faculty to explore problems of practice and learn in a highly interactive exchange.

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Course Details

Class Dates:

February 21 – 23, 2026 (School Boards Budget Workshop)
March 20 – 22, 2026 (School Boards Policy Workshop)
May 22 – 24, 2026 (Superintendent Evaluation Workshop)

3 sessions (3 days per session with a total of 9 days)

All three sessions are in person at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and online.

Cost:

$2,000.00 per session, if purchased individually
$5,000.00 if all three sessions are purchased at once

Curriculum:

The Academy is designed to help school board members execute in their three primary functions:

Policy Development
Budget
Superintendent Evaluation

National experts and leaders with proven results and strategies will be guest lecturers throughout the program.

CEU credits available

Policy Development Workshop Attendee

"NSBA's Board Member Academy policy workshop was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of governance, strategic problem-solving, and equitable policymaking. Engaging with academy leaders in a more intimate setting than a conference provided invaluable insights into strengthening board-administration partnerships, aligning district goals with community needs, and driving sustainable progress in education."

— Hanae M. Wyatt
President, Plainfield Board of Education (NJ)
Steering Committee Member, Council of Urban Boards of Education

Hanae M. Wyatt Photo

Academy Sponsor

Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, Esq.

Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs brings extensive leadership experience in the education sector, having served as Chair of the Board of Education for Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland — one of the nation’s largest school districts — for more than a decade.

During her time as a school board member, she served as president of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education and Chair of NSBA’s Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE), demonstrating an unwavering commitment to promoting excellence and equity in education and working tirelessly to enhance educational outcomes for all students.

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Academy Leader

Dr. Shawn Joseph

Dr. Shawn Joseph’s passion for equity and social justice has led him to serve in a number of positions in the world of education. He has been an English teacher, reading specialist, school administrator, central office administrator, and superintendent in Delaware (Seaford School District) and Tennessee (Metro Nashville Public Schools). He served on the faculty of Fordham University in the Department of Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy during the 2019-2020 school year and is currently Co-Director of the AASA/Howard Urban Superintendent Academy and Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy Studies at Howard University.