A New Season in Leadership

A New Season in Leadership

BY DR. TIFFANY TYLER

May marks a pivotal time in our education community. This month, the Clark County School District is expected to announce its next superintendent. This leader will head the nation’s fifth-largest district — a districtcharacterized as a minority-
majority district with more than 42,000 employees and 320,000 students.

Similarly, UNLV will soon have a new leader — following the departure of its tenth president, Len Jessup. His successor will have to respond to the needs of more than 30,000 students and 1,000 faculty members on a campus recognized as one of the nation’s most diverse for undergraduates.

Transitions in Nevada education leadership are further exemplified by the ongoing search for the College of Southern Nevada’s next president. In January, the Board of Regents began a search for a leader to shepherd an institution described as the state’s largest and most diverse college. It is the nation’s seventh-largest community college, with enrollment totaling 70,000 students each year.

In sum, these transitions represent a new season in education leadership in our community. Some may even argue that it is unprecedented — given the number of students and professionals who will be impacted by these changes in leadership.

As this new season begins, may we be mindful of its promise, its implications and our shared responsibility!

With a simultaneous transition occurring at each rung of our community’s educational system, we have a unique opportunity to foster conditions, discourse  and practices that align with our ideals and vision for Las Vegas’ learners. We have the potential to impact the educational experiences of close to a half-million students in Las Vegas. Moreover, we have the shared responsibility of ensuring that we elect, encourage and support leaders who will partner with us in manifesting our vision for this community.

Accordingly, may we embrace this new season in leadership as a new opportunity to engage, empower and evolve. Let’s engage in healthy dialogue about the educational needs of our community. Let’s empower each other to embrace our shared responsibility for the state of our education system. Let’s evolve our quality of life by investing in education.