National Women's Consortium Picks Heights Superintendent

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Heights Superintendent Talisa Dixon is one of only 25 women from nonprofits selected to participate in the 2018 AASA National Women’s Leadership Consortium. The event will give female leaders a chance to identify and address barriers that women face when pursuing top leadership positions in K-12 education.

The AASA is an association for school superintendents.

“If we’re serious about improving public education and raising academic outcomes, we need to create pathways and build new strategies for women educators who are seeking to excel in education administration,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “We are excited about this program. I applaud the outstanding women leaders who will comprise the 2018 National Women’s Leadership Consortium.”

The event is being relaunched for 2018, with the help of Horace Mann. The consortium has expanded in size, from 10 participants to 25.

"It is an honor to be selected for this opportunity,” said Dixon. “Participating in this consortium will allow me to connect with other educational leaders throughout the country, share ideas and best practices, and build my professional practice. This collaboration will prove beneficial as we strive to close the opportunity and achievement gaps in CH-UH.”

Three officials from Ohio school districts were selected for the meeting, including Dixon. Here's a list of the 25 participating officials:

• Sara Boucek, associate director, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Springfield, Illinois
• Rhonda Caldwell, deputy director, Kentucky Association of School Administrators, Frankfort, Kentucky
• Wanda Cook-Robinson, superintendent, Oakland Schools, Waterford, Michigan
• Talisa L. Dixon, superintendent Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, University Heights, Ohio
• April Grace, superintendent, Shawnee Public School District, Shawnee, Oklahoma
• Kathryn Hawes, superintendent, Regional School Unit 21, Kennebunk, Maine
• Marnie Hazelton, superintendent, Roosevelt Union School District, Freeport, New York
• Catherine Huber, superintendent, Alexander Central School District, Alexander, New York
• Crystal Johnson, superintendent, Rossville-Alvin Community Unit School District 7, Rossville, Illinois
• Melissa Kaczkowski, superintendent, Roselle School District 12, Roselle, Illinois
• Stephanie Maney-Hartlaub, leadership development director, Schools That Can Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Julie M. Marlette, director, governmental relations, New York State School Boards Association, Latham, New York
• Kristine McDuffy, superintendent, Edmonds School District, Lynnwood, Washington
• Lory D. Morrow, superintendent, Lincoln County School District, Lincolnton, North Carolina
• Michelle Mrakovich-Kalish, superintendent, Newbury Local School District, Newbury, Ohio
• Lesli C. Myers, superintendent, Brockport Central School District, Brockport, New York
• Meredith Nadeau, superintendent, Newmarket School District (SAU31), Newmarket, New Hampshire
• Courtney L. Orzel, superintendent, Lemont-Bromberek School District 113A, Lemont, Illinois
• Theresa R. Rouse, superintendent, Joliet Public Schools District 86, Joliet, Illinois
• Dawn A. Santiago-Marullo, superintendent, Victor Central School District, Victor, New York
• Michelle Saylor superintendent, Bellefonte Area School District, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
• Joanne Shelmidine, superintendent, New York Mills Union Free School District, New York Mills, New York
• Ronna Steel, superintendent, Hillsdale County Intermediate School District, Hillsdale, Michigan
• Sue Townsend, superintendent, Rankin Co School District, Brandon, Mississippi
• Cynthia Walker, director of member development, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Columbus, Ohio

Photo from Google Earth