Louisiana Education Policy Fellowship Program
Building the skills, resources, and networks of tomorrow's education leaders
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"My Fellowship has equipped me with the tools to become a change agent in the education arena, and opened up important lines of communication at the local, state and national levels."
Dr. Lisa Green-Derry, EPFP Louisiana '16
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"Effective policymaking requires effective relationships among those who create policies, so EPFP establishes a norm that crosses political lines and bureaucracies."
Ron Cowell, Pennsylvania EPFP Coordinator
| What | An intensive cross-sector professional training program in contemporary education issues, policymaking, leadership, strategy and more |
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| When | One Friday (9am - 3pm) per month September - April |
| Cost | Fellows' employing organizations pay a small tuition to cover space requirements, plus travel expenses to the Washington Policy Seminar. Limited scholarships are available — contact us to apply |
| Where | Monthly colloquiums take place at the offices of Jones Walker LLP, 201 Saint Charles Ave #5100, New Orleans, LA 70170 |
Susan Kahn (LA EPFP '15-16): Onward and Upward
Susan joined the EPFP cohort in her last year of attaining a PhD in Educational Leadership and Research at the University of Louisiana. Shortly after graduation, she moved forward to act as the Education Program Manager at Pearson, an international publishing and assessment company that meets professional development and training needs across the world. "The EPFP experience has been nothing short of transformative," she says. "The space has afforded me the ability to deeply reflect and analyze my beliefs, strengthen my leadership skills, and develop deep insight into what's going on in Louisiana's schools. I strongly encourage my fellow education leaders to take part."
Program Overview
The Education Policy Fellowship Program turns high-potential professionals into tomorrow’s education leaders.
EPFP is Louisiana’s only professional development program for emerging policy leaders seeking to improve student outcomes. In 2015, Louisiana joined the ranks of 14 other states across the US in welcoming EPFP to our community.
Fellows remain in their full-time positions and use their work environment as the context for examining issues in education leadership and policy. The program benefits states, organizations, and individuals: Louisiana gains a strengthened talent pipeline of trained education policy professionals, employers gain new organizational expertise and networks, and participants become informed leaders within their workplace and community.
EPFP is Louisiana’s only professional development program for emerging policy leaders seeking to improve student outcomes. In 2015, Louisiana joined the ranks of 14 other states across the US in welcoming EPFP to our community.
Fellows remain in their full-time positions and use their work environment as the context for examining issues in education leadership and policy. The program benefits states, organizations, and individuals: Louisiana gains a strengthened talent pipeline of trained education policy professionals, employers gain new organizational expertise and networks, and participants become informed leaders within their workplace and community.
Curriculum & Guest Speakers
EPFP Fellows are privileged to learn from a wide variety of guest speakers, including Maurice "Moon" Landrieu (Former Mayor, City of New Orleans); Jan Moller (Director, Louisiana State Budget Project); Paul Pastorek (Former Superintendent of Education, State of Louisiana); Dr. Andre Perry (Founding Dean of Urban Education, Davenport University); Scott Richard (Executive Director, Louisiana School Boards Association); Dr. James Richardson (Director, Public Administration Institute at Louisiana State University); and James Singleton (Chairman, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and Former President, New Orleans City Council).
Colloquiums are held one Friday per month from 9am to 3pm at Jones Walker LLP, 201 Saint Charles Ave. #5200.
Colloquiums are held one Friday per month from 9am to 3pm at Jones Walker LLP, 201 Saint Charles Ave. #5200.
EPFP Colloquiums
- Retreat: Setting the Stage
- Colloquium I: Adaptive, Courageous Leadership
- Colloquium II: Autonomy, Equity & Choice: Building Viable Governance Models
- Colloquium III: Show Me The Money: Inside the Louisiana State Budget
- Colloquium IV: From Cradle to the New Standards — ESSA and Beyond
- Colloquium V: The Changing Face of Education Demography
- Colloquium VI: The Future of the Education Profession
- Colloquium VIII: High School / JumpStart / STEM: 21st-Century Learning
- Washington Policy Seminar National Meeting
- Colloquium IX: Leadership for Partnership and Public Advocacy
- Project Presentation & Program Graduation
FAQ
What should I have in order to apply for a Fellowship?
- • A passion for education policy and a desire to improve opportunities for all Louisiana children
- • A track record for making things happen both inside and across agencies/organizations
- • A commitment to personal and professional development
- • A full-time, professional position with substantive work experience
- • A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
- • The endorsement and financial support of your employing organization
What is my commitment if I am accepted as a Fellow?
- • Participate in 10 sessions over the nine-month period including a welcome reception, an overnight retreat, eight colloquiums, and a graduation ceremony
- • Attend a national forum focusing on policy
- • Share your experience and knowledge with other Fellows through inquiry, discussions, and presentations
- • Conduct independent study and research by reading materials in advance, preparing questions, and completing a self-designed project related to issues explored in the program
How will my organization benefit from my participation in EPFP?
Employers gain:
- • Access to a professional program with a proven track record
- • Better informed, more skillful employees who understand policy making and the interconnections of education with other sectors
- • Employees who are prepared to assume greater leadership responsibilities
- • Employees equipped to make dynamic, research-based contributions to education policy and practice
- • Expanded professional networks that enhance the organization’s ability to access key leaders and decision makers who shape policy on behalf of children and youth
What is my employer’s commitment in supporting my participation?
- • To be sensitive to EPFP meetings and forums by allowing release time from work
- • Pay tuition of $2,200 plus travel-related expenses to the national forum and monthly colloquiums
The EPFP Advisory Council serves as the steering committee and organizational board for EPFP. Representing a wide cross-section of organizations and civic roles, members:
- • Support the development of class components such as curriculum, activities and events
- • Help recruit and interview new Fellows
- • Build on private and public partnerships for the program
- • Connect Fellows with resources and networks that support, build and sustain their policy initiatives
Current Members
Ronald Carrere
Liberty Bank & Trust Co.
Dr. Bill Cody
Former Commissioner of Education, Louisiana & Kentucky
Barry Erwin
President and CEO, Council for a Better Louisiana
Dr. Doug Harris
Executive Director, Education Research Alliance for New Orleans
Dr. Andre Perry
The Hechinger Report
Ashley Shelton
Director, One Voice Louisiana
John Warner Smith
President and CEO, Education's Next Horizon
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