2025 Leadership Program

Program Leads

Laura Rantala

Long Beach City College

Kenji Ikemoto

Stanford University

Eric Wilson

Orange Coast College

Advisory Committee

John Bansavich, Ed.D.

University of San Francisco

Hussam Kashou, PhD

Long Beach City College

Henry Burnett, PhD

Higher Ed Consultant

2025 Cohort

Topics & Dates

March 14, 12:00-1:30 PM

Welcome To The Program, Meet Your Cohort, Introduction To The Canvas Course (Kenji Ikemoto, Stanford University | Laura Rantala, Long Beach City College | Eric Wilson, Orange Coast College)

Program details, meet and greet, and how to navigate our Canvas Course.

April 11, 12:00-1:30 PM

(Innovation) The Power of Collaboration: Building Relationships to Drive Innovation | Sean Hauze

Join us for The Power of Collaboration: Building Relationships to Drive Innovation, a dynamic session led by Dr. Sean Hauze that explores how strategic leadership, trust, and collaboration fuel innovation. Drawing from Dr. Hauze’s extensive experience in instructional technology, digital transformation, and cross-functional partnerships, this session offers real-world insights and actionable strategies for cultivating high-impact teams. Attendees will learn how to foster a culture of innovation through effective relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative problem-solving—gaining tools to lead with vision, navigate change, and unite diverse perspectives to drive breakthrough solutions.

May 9, 12:00-1:30 PM

(Colleagues) From Conflict to Collaboration: Leading Through Workplace Challenges | Marina Aminy

Whether you're implementing new technologies, managing cross-departmental projects, or driving digital transformation, ed tech leaders inevitably will encounter resistance or friction amongst team members. This interactive session explores practical strategies for navigating difficult scenarios, building trust, and leading with empathy- even when tensions are high. Participants will walk away with tools to reframe conflict, foster collaboration and focus on students as their north star, even through challenging times.

June 13, 12:00-1:30 PM

(Future in Leadership) Wired to Connect: Human and Machine Relationships in the Age of AI — A Leadership Imperative | Isabelle Hau

We live in a paradoxical time—digital connectivity surges, yet authentic human connection is fading. For today’s leaders, this shift has profound implications, as human and machine relationships are increasingly shaping trust, culture, and performance. Neuroscience shows we are wired for connection, and strong social bonds fuel resilience, creativity, and well-being, while loneliness poses serious risks. At the same time, AI-powered tools like chatbots and social robots are designed to simulate care, raising ethical concerns about replacing real human interaction. Effective leadership now requires dual fluency: emotional intelligence and AI literacy. Leaders must intentionally decide when to automate and when to connect, balancing technological efficiency with authentic human relationships. In this session, we’ll explore how to lead with empathy, design cultures of belonging, and build trust in an era of artificial relationships—because, in a future shaped by machines, it’s our humanity that will set great leaders apart.

July 11, 12:00-1:30 PM

(DEIA) Analyzing Data Using an Equity-Minded Framework | Hannah Lawler & Sherri Bradford

In this session, presenters will demonstrate how to precisely measure and monitor equity gaps in student outcome metrics. Participants will explore how different ways of framing data can influence sense making, discussions, and the development of strategies to address inequities for racially minoritized and other marginalized student groups. The session will also advocate for applying an equity-minded lens to data analysis and provide an opportunity for participants to practice analyzing and interpreting data using this framework.

August 15, 12:00-1:30 PM

More Information Coming Soon

Come back often for updates

September 12, 12:00-1:30 PM (Kim Pham, University of San Francisco)

More Information Coming Soon

Come back often for updates

October 17, 12:00-1:30 PM

More information Coming Soon (Erfan Mojaddam, University California, Berkeley)

Come back often for updates

November 14, 12:00-1:30 PM

Project Showcase & Wrap-up (Kenji Ikemoto, Stanford University | Laura Rantala, Long Beach City College | Eric Wilson, Orange Coast College)