Mission Statement
The purpose of the Leadership Academy is to create a forum for dialogue and exchanging ideas and experiences. Using the university as a catalyst, the academy will provide professional growth opportunities for administrators and aspiring administrators focused on dynamic leadership that promotes reflective practice and affects teacher and student learning. Additionally, it will create a network of support for colleagues and establish a collaborative relationship with the university, university faculty, and its resources.
The Academy will hold four workshops a year with topics on timely issues directly related to matters of interest to school and district leaders.
Leadership Academy Upcoming Sessions
We are excited to invite you to two events at the Monmouth University Graduate Center on Dec. 12, 2024. Both of these events will be opportunities for you to learn, collaborate, and grow your professional network.
I.S.L.A.N.D.—Institute for School Leadership: Accelerating, Navigating, Developing
A PD Series for New or Aspiring Educational Leaders (but ALL educators are welcome!)
I.S. L.A.N.D Session #1—”Building Leadership Capacity: Rethink, Rebuild, Reimagine Educational Leadership”
Dec. 12, 2024, 4:30–6 p.m. (Light refreshments will be served)
Join us for the first of three interactive and engaging sessions focused on building your leadership capacity and the leadership capacity of your team, so you can cultivate a highly effective learning environment. In ever-changing times, we need to rethink, rebuild, and re-imagine effective educational leadership. This session will explore the critical importance of leadership in shaping school culture and climate. We’ll delve into various leadership challenges, explore innovative leadership practices, and begin to re-imagine educational leadership for the future.
Presented by David M. Aderhold, Ed.D., and Scott Rocco, Ed.D.
David M. Aderhold, Ed.D. is the Superintendent of Schools for West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District. As a 23-year administrator, he has served as superintendent of schools, deputy superintendent, principal, and assistant principal. Aderhold is a current member of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators Executive Board and past president of the Garden
State Coalition of Schools. Recently he was awarded the PTA Outstanding Superintendent Award in 2023, the Traumatic Loss Coalition for Youth Suicide Prevention Excellence Award for 2021, and was named the New Jersey Association of School Administrators 2020 Central Jersey Regional Superintendent of the Year.
Aderhold served on the NJ Legislative Education Recovery Task Force and the NJDOE Statewide Superintendents LEAD Group. He also served as the co-chair for the NJASA Staff Recruitment and Retention Committee, served on the Governor’s Task Force for Public School Staff Shortages, and served as the chairperson of the New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force.
Scott Rocco, Ed.D. is in his 31st year in public education. He has served as an educator and leader at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Currently, he serves as the superintendent of schools in Hamilton Township School District, one of the largest school districts in New Jersey.
As a firm believer in the importance of lifelong learning and giving back to his profession, Rocco teaches as an adjunct professor at The College of New Jersey in the Graduate School for Educational Administration, and at Rider University’s College of Education and Human Services. In addition, he serves as an instructor for New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association in the NJEXCEL program. Rocco has held leadership positions in the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) as an officer, including past president of the association. While a member of NJASA he has also co-chaired several committees including the annual Techspo Conference. He currently sits on the AASA Governing Board. In 2023, Rocco was named the NJTESOL Superintendent of the Year, and in 2022 he was named the NJ State Superintendent of the Year and NJ Public Servant of the Year.
Monmouth University Ed.D. Student Reception
For All Doctoral Students, Alumni, Faculty, and Adjuncts
Dec. 12, 2024, 6:15–7:30 p.m. (Dinner Will Be Served)
Let’s come together for an evening of networking, collaboration, and Q&A with our Ed.D. family!
2024–2025 Monmouth University Leadership Academy Calendar
Please Note: Most dates include two sessions—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. These sessions will be the same. Speakers for November to April will be announced ASAP.
| Meeting Dates | Time(s) | Host/Location |
| October 10, 2024 | Joint Event: Monmouth University Leadership Academies & MC3 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. 9:30 a.m.–10 a.m. Joseph Nappi, 2022–23 NJ State Teacher of the Year 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Senator Vin Gopal, Keynote and Q&A | Hosted by Monmouth University (Anacon A&B) |
| November 21, 2024 | Monmouth University Leadership Academies AM Session: 8:30–11 a.m. PM Session: 4:30–6 p.m. | Hosted by Monmouth University (Anacon A&B) |
| February 6, 2025 | Monmouth University Leadership Academies AM Session: 8:30–11 a.m. PM Session: 4:30–6 p.m. | Hosted by Monmouth University (Anacon A&B) |
| April 10, 2025 | Monmouth University Leadership Academies AM Session: 8:30–11 a.m. PM Session: 4:30–6 p.m. | Hosted by Monmouth University (Anacon A&B) |
2024-2025 MC3 Calendar
| Meeting Dates | Time(s) | Host/Location |
| July 25, 2024 | 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m. | ESC Collaboration (MOESC) |
| September 12, 2024 | MC3 Only 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Hosted by Monmouth University Varsity Rooms (3) |
| October 10, 2024 | Joint Event: Monmouth University Leadership Academies & MC3 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. 9:30 a.m.–10 a.m. Joseph Nappi, 2022–23 NJ State Teacher of the Year 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Senator Vin Gopal, Keynote and Q&A | Hosted by Monmouth University (Anacon A&B) |
| November 21, 2024 | MC3 12:30–3:30 p.m. (lunch) | Hosted by Monmouth University (Anacon A&B) |
| February 6, 2025 | MC3 12:30–3:30 p.m. (lunch) | Hosted by Monmouth University (Anacon A&B) |
| March 13, 2025 | MC3 Only 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Hosted by Monmouth University (Anacon A&B) |
| April 10, 2025 | MC3 12:30–3:30 pm (lunch) | Hosted by Monmouth University (Anacon A&B) |
Previous Sessions
- Leadership Academy Fall Kickoff Session (Featuring New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal and NJ Teacher of the Year 2023-2024 Joseph Nappi)
- Instilling Hope Amidst a Crisis
- Please Mute Yourself: A Virtual Equity/SEL Themed Play
- An Integrated Approach to Systemic Health
- Empathy Wisdom in Leadership with Monmouth County Partnership for Wellness
- Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A Look at Transformative Mentoring Practices that Elevate Teacher Efficacy and Leadership
- Leading and Supporting in the Teacher Evaluation Process
- Please Mute Yourself: A Virtual Equity/SEL Themed Play
- An Integrated Approach to Systemic Health
- Improving Student Performance Utilizing Data-Driven Formative Assessment
- Moving Beyond Tolerance and Empathy to Equity and Equality