TAMIU and LISD Partner for Principalship Academy

Texas A&M International University's College of Education and the Laredo Independent School District (LISD) will formalize a partnership dedicated to training new district principalship candidates May 29 at 3 p.m. in Western Hemispheric Trade Center room 126.

On hand to initiate the historic agreement will be members of LISD's administration, including superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz and Dr. Cecilia Moreno, LISD administrative assistant for Academics, and TAMIU administrators including Dr. Ray Keck, president and Dr. Rosa Maria Vida, dean of the College of Education.

The Academy, which will begin this summer, will provide coursework leading to a Masters degree in Educational Administration and principal certification for select professional employees.

Dr. Vida said the partnership is an innovative means for the District to identify and nurture the careers of potential new principals.

"The need for principals sensitive to the dynamic needs of local schools is considerable. LISD is showing remarkable vision in designating this program to identify and nurture potential District principals. In a sense, they are 'growing their own,' and taking an innovative approach to do so. Through this program, they dramatically increase the probability of attracting and retaining qualified principal candidates while simultaneously elevating their campus' educational continuity," Dr. Vida explained.

LISD funds the program and provided applicants with advance tutoring sessions for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) which is required for admission to the educational administration graduate program.

Initial coursework will be offered this summer by the Colleges' department of Professional Programs faculty under the direction of Dr. Humberto Gonzalez, department chair.

The first cohort group for the program numbers 16.

For additional information, contact Dr. Gonzalez at 326.2680, visit offices in Killam Library 332A or email to hgonzalez@tamiu.edu.

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