{ "title": "UCO-Based Educators\u2019 Leadership Academy Celebrates 2025-26 Transformative Leadership Academy Class", "modified_at": "2026-04-07 13:00:02", "published_at": "2026-04-07 13:00:00", "url": "https://news.uco.edu/uco-based-educators-leadership-academy-celebrates-2025-26-transformative-leadership-academy-class", "short_url": "http://prez.ly/LG9d", "culture": "en", "language": "EN", "subtitle": "April 7, 2026", "slug": "uco-based-educators-leadership-academy-celebrates-2025-26-transformative-leadership-academy-class", "body": "

The University of Central Oklahoma-based Educators’ Leadership Academy (ELA), now in its 28th year, will celebrate 23 education professionals from across the state at its graduation ceremony for the 2025-26 Transformative Leadership Academy, Thursday, April 9, at the UCO Boathouse at the Oklahoma River.

Founded in 1998, the academy is dedicated to developing leadership skills that empower professionals to drive transformation within their academic organizations. By focusing on motivation and building meaningful connections with employees, colleagues and students, participants gain the tools to lead effectively. The academy covers a wide range of essential skills, including emotional intelligence, cultural competence, leadership theories, negotiation strategies and Oklahoma higher education governance.

"Attending the Transformative Leadership Academy with ELA has been one of the most valuable professional experiences I’ve had,” said Sydney Dorrough, director of student success and associate professor at Oklahoma Baptist University and 2024-25 graduate.

“Each session was thoughtfully designed, offering practical tools and relevant information that I’ve consistently found myself referring to in my daily work. The academy is exceptionally well organized, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to grow as a leader and expand their professional community."

Those participating in the 2025-26 Transformative Leadership Academy and their institutions include:

The ELA Transformative Leadership Academy Advisors and their institutions include:

The ELA Transformative Leadership Academy Faculty and their institutions include:

For more information, contact Mary Howard, director of ELA, at 405-974-5561 or mhoward28@uco.edu.

For more information about ELA’s Transformative Leadership Academy, visit go.uco.edu/ELA-Academy.

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\"Devan
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\n Devan Wielgos\n Communications and Marketing Coordinator, UCO University Communications\n \n
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