Our Podcast
Build Momentum for Education:
K-12 Superintendent Series
Welcome to Season 5 of the Build Momentum for Education podcast hosted by Sarah Williamson, the CEO of SWPR Group, an agency that supports public relations, communications strategies, and thought leadership support for school districts, education companies and startups, and Dr. Chad Bolser, Chancellor of Ivy Tech. This season, they explore a particularly unique perspective in thought leadership in K-12 education: humanizing the role of the superintendent.
Throughout the many conversations we continue to have with superintendents, a clear theme has emerged about the need to bring more humanity to the role of the superintendency. In this special podcast series, we interview current and former superintendents and researchers to pursue the core question: how can we better see superintendents as real people navigating complex challenges to provide the best possible education for our K-12 students? We dig deeper into how this important work can help build community, invite collaboration and increase widespread engagement.
Our lineup includes Dr. Susan Enfield of The Network of Distinguished Educators, Dr. Rainey Briggs of the Baraboo School District in Wisconsin, Dr. Randy Mahlerwein of Mesa Public Schools in Arizona, Dr. Adam Clark from Mt. Diablo Unified School District in California and Rachel S. White, the Associate Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy at the University of Texas at Austin (and many others) as part of the “Superintendent Series: Humanizing the Role of the Superintendent.”
Tune in for new episodes every other Thursday, available on Spotify, iTunes, or your preferred listening platform as we explore humanizing the role of the superintendent in K-12 education.
A Lesson in Humble Leadership | Dr. Matthew Hicks, Northeastern Wayne Schools Indiana
In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Matthew Hicks, Superintendent of Northeastern Wayne Schools in Indiana. He is also currently a lecturer at Purdue University and a dissertation chair at Indiana Wesleyan University. Earlier in his career, he served as a language arts classroom teacher and as a principal at the high school and middle school levels. He has volunteered as a Den Leader for Crossroads for America Council, Boy Scouts of America for the past eight years.
The Superintendent Lab | Dr. Rachel White, University of Texas at Austin
In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Rachel White, Founder and Lead Researcher at The Superintendent Lab, a hub for data, research, insights, and innovation on the public school district superintendency. She is currently the Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. White has also taught at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Old Dominion University and has served as a school board member and volunteer coach at Van Wert City Schools in Ohio. She is a member of the University Council for Education Administration, the American Educational Research Association, and the Association for Education Finance and Policy.
Using Storytelling to Foster Trust and Community Support | Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross, Ypsilanti Community Schools
In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross, Superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools in Michigan. She has decades of experience at public K-12 and charter schools of all sizes, including serving as Superintendent for Okemos Public Schools and for the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System. She is a sought-after professional speaker, educational consultant, and leadership development coach as well as a church pastor.
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The Superintendency: One of the Most Challenging, Yet Rewarding, Careers | Dan Cox
In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Dan Cox, the Superintendent of Schools in Rochester Community Unit School District 3A in Rochester, Illinois. In his 16-year education career in the state, he led the Staunton Community Unit School District and the Jasper County Community Unit 1 School District. He also served as an Assistant Principal and Principal at East Richland Elementary School in Olney. He is active on many boards at the local, regional, and state levels, including the State Assessment Review Committee for the Illinois State Board of Education.
Being a Transformative Leader in the Face of Complex Challenges | Dr. Quintin Shepherd, Pflugerville ISD
In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Quintin Shepherd. Quintin has 19 years’ experience as a superintendent and currently holds that leadership role at Pflugerville Independent School District in Texas. He has a demonstrated history of improving school districts in both rural and urban areas in multiple states by being committed to transformational and collaborative leadership focused on doing what is best for the children in each district. Quintin is the co-author of the book “The Secret To Transformational Leadership,” together with podcast co-host Sarah Williamson, and his second book, “Transforming Education for Systemic Change and Empowered Communities,” was published in February 2024
Leading with Joy | Dr. George Philhower, Superintendent, Eastern Hancock Schools
In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. George Philhower, Superintendent of Eastern Hancock Schools in Indiana since 2021. Previously he was an administrator for 13 years at Western Wayne Schools, another rural Indiana district. He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Cardinal Stritch University, a master’s in educational leadership and administration from the University of Indianapolis, and both an Ed.S. and Ph.D. from Indiana State University.
Mastering the Five Steps of Happiness as a Superintendent | Dr. Rainey Briggs, Superintendent, Baraboo School District
In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Rainey Briggs, the superintendent of the Baraboo School District in Baraboo, Wisconsin.. In 2022, he was recognized as one of the 48 Most Influential Black Leaders in Wisconsin. Dr. Briggs and his wife, Julie, who is also an educator, are the co-founders of Meraki Consulting, which offers seminars, workshops, professional development, coaching, mediation, and other services centered on equity and inclusion. Dr. Briggs works collaboratively with organizations such as North Star Consulting Services, where he partners to provide equity institutes to school districts around the country. In their spare time, the Briggses enjoy going to sporting events and traveling with their three teenage daughters: Rayna, Rylee, and Reagan.
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Galvanizing Community Around a Shared Vision | Dr. Sandy Husk, Superintendent Emeritus
In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Sandy Husk. During her remarkable 48-year career, she has served at every level, from classroom teacher and school counselor to superintendent to interim CEO and executive director for ACSD (the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, a nonprofit with more than 125,000 members in 128 countries). She is currently the advisor to the CEO for MindPrint Learning; a member of the board of directors at Wayfinder and at Abl; and a board member and advisor for Husk Consulting. As a district leader, she has helped prepare students for graduation all across the U.S., including Oregon, Tennessee, and Colorado, learning each state’s idiosyncrasies.
