2026 MAVA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ONE
Leadership Academy I – Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (mava.us)
Nominations to be completed and submitted by the Superintendent-Director by November 15, 2025.
Colleagues,
The future is now!!! We are most excited to announce that now is the time to enroll your future leaders in Leadership Academy ONE. This Academy is an intensive course that encompasses all aspects of leadership and organizational behavior within CTE. Academy Coordinator Kathy Conole will again lead this most successful program. Kathy has led this amazingly successful program for many years. The majority of current MAVA administrators across the Commonwealth are graduates of Leadership Academy ONE!!
This course is the foundation of training for any position of leadership/administration. We copied below all the information concerning the program and the necessary forms and links to register. The majority of current MAVA administrators across the Commonwealth are graduates of Leadership Academy ONE.
The program begins January 21, 2026.
The cost remains at $2,750.
2026 MAVA Leadership Academy One
Applications Now Open
Leadership Academy I Coordinator
Kathleen Conole | kathyconole
Application Procedure
All elements of the application packet as indicated below:
- Nomination form completed by nominee’s superintendent-director, or designee familiar with the candidate.
- Completed application form, including resume, provided by the candidate.
- Candidate response and agreement to conditions form provided by the candidate.
Nomination Form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/MAVA1/_2026LeadershipAcademyOneNominationForm
Application Form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/MAVA1/_2026LeadershipAcademyOneApplicationForm
Candidate Response Form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/MAVA1/_2026LeadershipAcademyOneCandidateResponseForm
Schedule of Dates for
2026 MAVA Leadership Academy I
January
Tuesday 21
Wednesday 22
April
Tuesday 7
Wednesday 8
June
Tuesday 23
Wednesday 24
October
Wednesday 7
Thursday 8
November
Wednesday 4
Thursday 5
Leadership Academy I Coordinator
Kathleen Conole | kathyconole
Application Procedure
All elements of the application packet as indicated below:
- Nomination form completed by nominee’s superintendent-director, or designee familiar with the candidate.
- Completed application form, including resume, provided by the candidate.
- Candidate response and agreement to conditions form provided by the candidate.
About
Vocational, technical, and agricultural education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires distinctive management. Recognizing this need, a focus group formed by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) and composed of incumbent, successful middle and senior managers identified topics and skills determined to be the most critical to the success of leaders in our schools.
Leadership Academy I has successfully provided preparation for administrators and school leaders for many years. With an average annual enrollment of 25-30, the Academy has prepared and supported many current and retired administrators across the state. Graduates of this program are currently serving throughout the commonwealth in a vast array of school leadership positions, including mid-level and senior management positions. Some are current superintendents.
Leadership Academy I provides preparation and instruction enabling participants to demonstrate competency in the Professional Standards and Indicators for Administrative Leadership and culminates in the preparation of a professional portfolio. Participants attain knowledge and skills in Instructional Leadership, Management and Operations, Family and Community Engagement, and Professional Culture.
In response to the many changes and challenges that our schools have experienced over the past few years, additional emphasis has been placed on providing knowledge and experiences in addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, issues associated with remote and hybrid curriculum, instruction, and assessment, as well as changes in the workforce.
As part of Leadership Academy I, participants can enroll in one or two graduate level course offered by Fitchburg State University:
- Introduction to Fundamentals of Effective Vocational Technical Education Leadership
- Applications in the Management of Human, Program, and Financial Resources for Vocational Technical School Administrators
The 2026 Academy will be conducted over five, two-day sessions scheduled in January, April, June, October, and November at the Devens Commons Conference Center.
Each participant must have the endorsement of his/her superintendent to be eligible for consideration to attend the Academy.
The MAVA Leadership Academy I is designed to prepare individuals who have the potential, the talent, and the commitment to become leaders in our vocational, technical, and agricultural schools and high schools with Chapter 74 programs. If you seek such developmental opportunities, if you see yourself as a possible future educational leader, then please consider seeking a nomination from your school and follow up with an application for admission.
Are you a future educational leader? Why not find out?
Any further questions please contact Academy Coordinator Kathy Conole at KathyConole
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira