Texas A&M-San Antonio Educational Leadership and Preparation

It's OFFICIAL! New BOOK Launch...sponsored by Texas A&M-San Antonio Educational Leadership and Preparation.

Driving Change: A Conversation on School Culture that Supports Student Success

The Texas A&M University-San Antonio Educational Leadership and Preparation Department invite you to a lively panel discussion with school, community and city leaders on Wednesday, June 24th from 6 to 8pm in the BLH Multipurpose Events Room (BLH 134).

Panelists include:
*Dr. Jessica Moreno, Project Manager, Employee Development, Education Service Center, Region 20

*Dr. Lawrence Scott, Associate Professor, Educational Leadership at Texas A&M University-San Antonio

*Denise Holliday, Director of Coaching and School Support for edtomorrow and co-author of Classroom Circles

*Derrick Brown, Principal, Young Men's Leadership Academy, San Antonio ISD

The panel will be moderated by John Jacobs, Director, K-12 & Justice, Up Partnership; Brother's Keeper San Antonio.

Following the panel discussion there will be a conversation and book signing with Dr. Moreno and Dr. Scott. A limited number of copies of their book Advocating for Educational Change: Reimagining Student Discipline through Restorative Practices will be available for purchase at a discounted price of $65.00. Cash and digital payments will be accepted.

Light refreshments will be available and all are welcome. Admission is free, and parking will be available in Parking lot 2.

You can also get your copy at Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4xzs0OR

TheInstitutesa Tamusa UPpartnership Unlocking Potential

Our Texas A&M University-San Antonio Educational Leadership Associate Professor, Dr. Lawrence Scott was recently featured on Texas Public Radio (NPR) show "The Source" with David Martin Davies to discuss how to mitigate challenges facing schools and communities across Texas.

He was joined with Chandra Kring Villanueva of Every Texan and Daiana Lambrecht of Futuro San Antonio as they shared how to create positive impact and expanding opportunities beyond the challenges facing schools, students, and communities across Texas.

You can Listen to the Full Interview Here: https://www.tpr.org/podcast/the-source/2026-06-10/fewer-students-tighter-budgets-push-texas-districts-to-shutter-schools?

Congratulations to Dr. Sean Kearney and our Educational Leadership Program alumnae Celeste Orta and Melissa Casey for their feature in San Antonio Report article discussing TAMUSA’s Partnership for Graduate Degree Attainment.

“As a growing university it’s important that we’re offering several different types of courses and degrees of study,” Kearney said. “We have six degree programs that are fully online. And for some of our superintendents, particularly those that are further away geographically from the university, it was important to them to be able to offer an online option.”

TAMUSA partners with local ISDs to boost teacher education The program was created after local research showed a higher number of teachers with master's degrees positively impacts student achievement.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio Educational Leadership Doctoral Degree Information Session:

Do you want to learn more about the
proposed Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership
at Texas A&M- San Antonio?

(PENDING SACS-COC approval, which will be decided in June)

Please join us for a Zoom informational session to learn more about the proposed Ed.D. in Education Leadership that is currently under review by our accrediting organization, SACS-COC. Once approved, we will immediately begin accepting students, following our plan to start our first cohort in August of 2026.

Applications are open and accessible through GradCas:
https://gradcas2026.cas.myliaison.com/applicant-ux/ #/login

Applications close on June 1, 2026.

We are excited to meet you and answer all of your questions about our proposed doctoral degree. Below, please find the links to the scheduled information sessions.

Time: May 17, 2026 06:30- 8:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://tamusa.zoom.us/j/81429933429

Meeting ID: 814 2993 3429

Do you want to learn more about the
proposed Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership
at Texas A&M- San Antonio?
(PENDING SACS-COC approval, which will be decided in June)

Please join us for a Zoom informational session to learn more about the proposed Ed.D. in Education Leadership that is currently under review by our accrediting organization, SACS-COC. Once approved, we will immediately begin accepting students, following our plan to start our first cohort in August of 2026.

Applications are open and accessible through GradCas:
https://gradcas2026.cas.myliaison.com/applicant-ux/ #/login
Applications close on June 1, 2026.

We are excited to meet you and answer all of your questions about our proposed doctoral degree. Below, please find the links to the scheduled information sessions.

Friday, April 24th from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
https://tamusa.zoom.us/j/89970169086

Saturday, April 25th from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
https://tamusa.zoom.us/j/85398898716

Please reach out to any member of the Education Leadership team with questions or visit our new Texas A&M University-San Antonio doctorate in educational leadership page: https://www.tamusa.edu/academics/College-of-Education-and-Human-Development/Educator-Leadership-Preparation/Educational-Leadership-Program/EdD-educational-leadership.html

We look forward to meeting you!
Dr. Kearney, Dr. Krimbill, and Dr. Scott

Link to Story: https://news.tamusa.edu/2026/04/AM-San-Antonio-Hosts-Best-of-Both-Worlds-Symposium-on-Taking-a-Holistic-Approach-to-Student-Success.html

Positive Difference Makers,

There are not enough words in any language that can adequately express our gratitude for your participation in our Texas A&M University-San Antonio College of Education and Human Development Best of Both Worlds Panel Beyond Academics: A Holistic Approach to Student Support and Success. Our entire community of educators were impacted by your guidance and practical steps to ensure optimal levels of addressing every students' need through relationship building and leadership.

We appreciate the insightful contributions of our distinguished panel of experts that engaged our students in solution-focused discussions:

Best of Both Worlds Panelists:
K-12 School Leaders

Derrick Brown - Principal, Young Men's Leadership
Priscilla Alfaro - Principal, Young Women's Leadership

Policy and Governmental Support:

Representative Elizabeth Campos, TX House of Representatives, District. 119
Commissioner Tommy Calvert, Bexar County Commissioner, Precinct 4

Community Support Leaders
Andrea Vocab Sanderson - Community Engagement Coordinator, Carver Center
Jessica Knudsen - CEO/President Clarity Child Guidance Center

Coordinating such an event is challenging but made easier thanks to an amazing team. Thank you President Hector Ochoa for your continued support, our welcome, and your leadership that allows for these types of community-based, solution-focused discussions. Thank you to my co-moderator, Dr. Elisabeth Krimbill, and colleague Dr. Sean Kearney for Planning and Implementation. Thank you Dr. Danelle Flores for helping us understand how theory can inform practice as it relates to student school counseling services. Thank you Ms. Iris Castillo and Ms. Cynthia Alejos for facilitating President Ochoa's participation.

Thank you to all the members of the College of Education and Human Development for their instrumental roles in the event such as Dean Emma Savage-Davis (for your guidance and Sponsorship), Dr. Esther Garza (Chair-ELP) and (Welcome and Participation), Darleen Davila (Printouts and setup), Dr. Elisabeth Krimbill, Dr. Juan Jasso, Dr. Richard Alvarado and for your attendance, bringing your students, and your Support, and April Lott (Setup, Name Tags, Swag Bags, and Refreshments).

Thank you to Sam Boykin and Dee Garcia (Marketing and Communications-Press Release/Photography), Hoyt Garner (Facilities), and Kevin Mendoza and Moises Calos from Information Technology Services and setup, Cheron Kuykendall and Nickolas Carter (Parking and Transportation), the facilities team and everyone who played a role in making sure our students and the community can transmute our discussions into a Call to Action replete with viable solutions to address today's challenges in our schools.

Again, we want to thank you for helping us transmute theoretical frameworks to practical application.

Addendum: Best of Both Worlds was founded as an opportunity for our Education students (Teachers, Principal, School counselor, Superintendent Preparatory students, etc) an opportunity to 1). synthesize the theoretical frameworks learned in class while 2). interfacing with current school and community leaders on critical topics they will face as educators and community leaders.

Do you want to learn more about the
proposed Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership
at Texas A&M- San Antonio?

(PENDING SACS-COC approval, which will be decided in June)

Please join us for a Zoom informational session to learn more about the proposed Ed.D. in Education Leadership that is currently under review by our accrediting organization, SACS-COC. Once approved, we will immediately begin accepting students, following our plan to start our first cohort in August of 2026.

Applications are open and accessible through GradCas:
https://gradcas2026.cas.myliaison.com/applicant-ux/ #/login

Applications close on June 1, 2026.

We are excited to meet you and answer all of your questions about our proposed doctoral degree. Below, please find the links to the scheduled information sessions.

Friday, April 24th from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
https://tamusa.zoom.us/j/89970169086

Saturday, April 25th from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
https://tamusa.zoom.us/j/85398898716

Please reach out to any member of the Education Leadership team with questions.

We look forward to meeting you!
Dr. Kearney, Dr. Krimbill, and Dr. Scott

Congratulations to our alumnus, Superintendent Gerardo Soto. With more than 30 years of experience in public education, former A&M–San Antonio student and Harlandale ISD Superintendent Gerardo Soto recently reached another career milestone: he was named the 2025 Superintendent of the Year for Education Service Center (ESC) Region 20.

Link to story: https://news.tamusa.edu/2026/02/Former-University-Student-Gerardo-Soto-Named-2025-Superintendent-of-the-Year.html

Leaders of Leaders,

We are excited to announce the launch of the first doctoral program at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Our new Texas A&M-San Antonio Educational Leadership Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.This program is designed for aspiring and current educational leaders who are committed to making a difference by transmuting theory into meaningful IMPACT for schools, organization, and communities.

If you are interested in advancing your leadership skills, deepening your knowledge, and preparing for the next step in your career, we encourage you to apply.

You can learn more about the program and submit your application using the link below:

https://www.tamusa.edu/academics/College-of-Education-and-Human-Development/Educator-Leadership-Preparation/Educational-Leadership-Program/EdD-educational-leadership.html

Note: The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program at Texas A&M University-San Antoni is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

We look forward to supporting you on your journey toward earning your doctoral degree.

Save the Date (April, 8, 2026): Best of Both Worlds Symposium

Texas A&M University-San Antonio College of Education and Human Development will host its next Best of Both Worlds Panel entitled: Beyond Academics: A Holistic Approach to Student Support and Success on Wednesday, April 8th, from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Central Academic Building (CAB) Vista Room.

Here, we want to discuss ways we can support our students inside and outside of the classroom. Our focus will be on improving the well being of students by serving the "whole student." We will discuss accessing mental health resources, improving student and teacher self-efficacy, and building strong school and community partnerships that will support students, families, and the school communities. This event is free and open to the public!

Confirmed Panel of Experts (6:30-8:00 pm):

_____________________________________________
K-12 School Leaders
_____________________________________________

Derrick Brown - Principal, Young Men's Leadership, San Antonio ISD

Priscilla Alfaro - Principal, Young Women's Leadership, San Antonio ISD

_______________________________________________
Policy and Governmental Support:
_______________________________________________

Representative Elizabeth Campos, TX House of Representatives, District. 119

Commissioner Tommy Calvert, Bexar County Commissioner, Precinct 4

_______________________________________________
Community Support Leaders
_______________________________________________

Andrea Vocab Sanderson - Community Engagement Coordinator, Carver Carver

Jessica Knudsen - CEO/President Clarity Child Guidance Center

Date: Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Time: 6:30-8:00 PM

Location: Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Central Academic Building (4th floor in Vista Room), One University Way, San Antonio, TX 78224

Topic: Beyond Academics: A Holistic Approach to Student Support and Success.

Attendees: All from the community are welcome to join the discussion with our Texas A&M-SA students from teacher preparatory, educational leadership (principal and superintendency prep), counseling preparatory, students, and community stakeholders.

Addendum: Best of Both Worlds was founded as an opportunity for our Education students (Teachers, Principal, School counselor, Superintendent Prep students, etc) an opportunity to 1). synthesize the theoretical frameworks learned in class while 2). interfacing with current school and community leaders on critical topics they will face as educators and community leaders.