Leadership Transition Feature

The announcement is out, the search has ended – time to celebrate and call it a day? Celebrate, certainly, but a growing body of research shows that the most important work should just be getting started.

This summer, as schools are preparing to welcome their new leaders, we are sharing thought leadership around an area we believe that schools, and school leaders, would be well-served to invest significantly more time and energy into: the transition phase of leadership.

Check out the full series here and come back often as we continue to add stories and articles from industry and education experts.

Schools Welcome Alexander

On July 31 and August 1, Lawrence Alexander, CS&A Search Consultant and our Director of DEI, ran an implicit bias training for the admissions office at Texas Christian University. Together, they explored bias through a systems approach with the goal of creating a more inclusive process.

At Palmer Trinity School (FL), Lawrence will lead two days of training in early August on facilitating courageous conversations around diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion. One day of training will be with faculty and the other will be with student leaders.

Clark University will also be welcoming Lawrence over the course of the summer to train its admissions counseling team around disrupting bias in the application reading process.

CS&A Sponsors, Presents at NCGS

CS&A was delighted to be a Diamond Sponsor of the 2019 NCGS (National Coalition of Girls’ Schools) Conference, Dream, Dare, Do: Girls as Makers, Inventors, Engineers, & Entrepreneurs, at Westridge School in Pasadena on June 24-26.

On Monday, June 24, several members of CS&A’s Search and Consulting Group led a compelling and interactive three-hour pre-conference workshop designed to prepare and empower emerging female leaders and aspiring school heads to pursue administrative positions in their schools. The workshop, Answer the Rising Call for Women’s Leadership in Independent Schools, was be facilitated by Bill Christ, Ann Teaff, Jennifer Christensen, Karen Neitzel, and Karen Whitaker.

Additionally, members of CS&A's Search and Consulting Group presented at several others sessions during the conference. Check out the full story here.

Women in Leadership Feature

This spring, CS&A shined a spotlight on women in leadership. Members of our Search and Consulting Group, as well as current female heads of school, shared their stories of leadership, mentorship, and their professional journeys. We hope educators everywhere are inspired and motivated by these individuals and that schools continue to nurture, attract, and retain female leaders. Click here to explore the feature.

Kotkins at ADVIS

On June 8, Senior Consultant Skip Kotkins led a training session for the new board chairs and clerks of the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS). Kotkins often leads training of this type for schools and other educational organizations.

New Heads Transition Survey

CS&A has launched it’s third-annual Newly Appointed Heads Transition Survey. This survey is designed to better understand the support that newly appointed heads receive when being onboarded to schools and integrated into their new communities. It also seeks to understand what elements of the head of school job cause the most consternation among appointees.

Alexander at ADVIS

Lawrence Alexander, CS&A Search Associate and Director of DEI, will be leading afternoon breakout sessions at the MCRC@ADVIS Cheryl Irving Cultural Competency Institute on August 22 at The Episcopal Academy (PA). The event is designed to help schools to build a strong common language and understanding around the importance of developing cultural competence and inclusive practices in their communities. This year's featured keynote speaker is Rosetta Lee of Seattle Girls' School.

Clark Presents to DODs

On May 2, Senior Consultant John Clark presented to a group of 25 New York City directors of development representing a variety of schools, including Friends Seminary, Packer Collegiate, Poly Prep Country Day School, The Browning School, and St. Bernard’s School, among others. The group, NYC DoDs, gathers quarterly to network, information share, and discuss topics related to their work in schools. John spoke about using search firms, hiring in the independent school community, and job seeker advice.

Brown Welcomes Alexander

On May 9, Lawrence Alexander, CS&A Consultant for DEI Services, held an implicit bias training for the admissions office at Brown University. Together, they explored bias through a systems approach with the goal of creating a more inclusive process.