Chris Lehmann, Sarita Brown, and Dean Pam Grossman sitting on a stage for the McGraw Town Hall

Our leadership activities focus on developing the visionaries of tomorrow—those who can navigate complex educational landscapes, foster inclusive environments, and drive systemic change.

Whether in schools, universities, or educational organizations, our work empowers leaders with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding needed to make a lasting impact on education and society.

Research and Action Initiatives

Penn GSE prepares leaders to take charge of schools and universities, launch educational companies, oversee state and federal agencies, and create better educational opportunities for all students.

  • Catalyst

    A center for global education innovation, Catalyst @ Penn GSE connects people and ideas to develop new ways to advance education in novel and meaningful directions.

  • Catalyst Community Conversations

    Catalyst Community Conversations (CCC) develops, implements, and facilitates public deliberative conversations on important issues.

  • Center for School Study Councils

    The Center for School Study Councils (CSSC) serves as a catalyst for public school superintendents to be proactive leaders and facilitates their professional learning and application of that learning.

  • Coalition for Educational Excellence

    The Coalition for Educational Excellence provides innovative resources, research-based training, and technical assistance and consultation to school district leaders throughout the Mid-Atlantic region in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

  • Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education

    The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education celebrates innovation in education by recognizing outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving education and whose accomplishments are making a difference today.

  • McGraw Center for Educational Leadership

    The McGraw Center is developing a global community of learning leaders across all educating sectors, advancing how we anticipate, plan, and focus our practices to meet today’s and future challenges.

  • Penn Learning Network

    The Penn Learning Network (PLN) is a comprehensive professional development/curricular enhancement/school reform program, providing on-site and regionally based credit-bearing or non-credit-bearing courses, workshops, coaching programs, and leadership trainings.

Leadership News