The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) and the Alliance for Catholic Education’s Catholic School Advantage (CSA) recently introduced the new Latino Educator and Administrator Development (LEAD) program, which will help support Latino educators.

The program has been designed to “invite, advance and retain” educators of Latino backgrounds in Catholic education facilities, while giving them the support they need to thrive.

“This is one more important way NCEA and the Catholic community can continue to encourage diversity in Catholic schools,” Kathy Mears, CEO of NCEA , said in a release issued on her association's website. “The University of Notre Dame’s LEAD program is intentional and designed to take participants through every aspect of leadership to best inspire and encourage Latino educators in Catholic education.”

It became apparent after the work of the Task Force on the Participation of Latino Children in Catholic Schools — a task force convened by the University of Notre Dame — that there was a vast need to better represent and support Latinos who were in Catholic education settings.

LEAD will be a one-year fellowship program that will focus on embroidering, educating and empowering Latino students and their families, as well as their communities as a whole.

“The participants will engage with the curriculum through small learning communities led by experienced Latino mentors, including two superintendents,” the release said. “Participants also will design and implement leadership projects in the spring to empower their own school communities.”

The group will then meet at the Notre Dame campus in summer 2021 to end their fellowship.

“LEAD is a sign of hope during a challenging time for education and Latino communities," Katy Lichon, director of CSA, said in the release. "We are inspired by this first cohort of vibrant, energetic, and passionate LEADers."

For more information on the program, visit ace.nd.edu/catholic-school-advantage/lead.