A&M International to Launch Superintendency Program

A new certificate program that will prepare qualified school administrators to become School Superintendents has been approved for implementation this September at Texas A&M International University.

The Superintendency Program, dubbed "Leadership for the 21st Century," is offered by the Department of Professional Programs' Center for Professional Development and Technology and is directed by the College of Education at A&M International. It was recently approved by the Texas Education Agency.

Dr. Rosa Maria Vida, Interim Dean of the College of Education, said the year and a half-long program will be highly selective and will offer an initial cohort limited to 10-15 participants.

"We will be looking at attracting a highly qualified and extremely committed group of working educators who are interested in becoming top-level administrators in charge of area educational systems. This will be an intense 15-hour course supplemented by workshops that will prepare currently employed educators for the Superintendency ExCET exam," Dr. Vida said.

Vida said the program is open to anyone throughout the University's regional service area and educators throughout Webb County and beyond will be encouraged to apply.

"Courses will be offered after 6 p.m. and on weekends. This program represents a tremendous opportunity for individual betterment and advancement. There is a great need to prepare qualified school administrators to fill current and predicted shortages of these top-level administrators, " she explained.

Applications for the program can be secured by calling the College of Education.

In addition to the completed application, successful candidates must provide official transcripts of all work including evidence of a Master's degree from an accredited institution; verification of 5 years of teaching experience; three years of school administration/central office administrative experience; admission to the University's Graduate School and evidence of prior leadership training and experience.

Program candidates must also submit a two-page essay that articulates reasons for pursuing the certificate; four letters of recommendation and a summary of scholarly leadership or professional accomplishments. In addition, all applicants will be required to prepare an analysis paper exploring an issue related to educational administration on site.

Deadline for receipt of all application materials will be Wednesday, July 30, 1997 at 5 p.m.

Candidates will be notified of their selection for the program in August with classes to begin in September.

For additional information on "Leadership for the 21st Century," A&M International's Superintendency Program, please contact Dr. Vida at 210.326-2420 or visit College of Education offices in Killam Library 328.

University office hours are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu