The CANDEL program is designed to prepare exemplary educational leaders in P-12 schools, community colleges, four-year institutions, and other educational institutions in northern California. Graduates of this program are prepared to lead for change in educational environments that promote learning, equity, and achievement for all students. Faculty value the students’ practitioner leadership and experience and present students with the research skills to empower them to become strong scholar practitioners and advocates for transformative leadership.

The CANDEL structure allows for cohort members to create a collaborative environment in which they can discuss complex educational issues that they are grappling with and to come up with implementable solutions with trusted colleagues. Our cohort model and our focus on understanding the issues that these educational institutions share make our program impactful and unique.

Our Community Impact

CANDEL students conduct their leadership in community colleges and higher educational institutions in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Students serve in policy, advocacy roles in Sacramento, and students enact transformative leadership in traditional p-12 and charter schools throughout California.

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CANDEL began as a regional program, but has expanded to many other areas in northern California, including Chico, Humboldt, and other rural school districts. CANDEL also works in the central valley and at UC Merced.

We also continue to serve the Monterey area public schools and UC Santa Cruz specifically.

This broad and wide network of CANDEL alumni and current students creates an opportunity to network and collaborate with other professionals who share many of the principles and theoretical frames that you will be employing in your work.