Who is it for?
The South Carolina School Leadership Executive Institute (SLEI) has a unique partnership with Truist Leadership Institute designed to equip veteran principals from districts across the state with the insight, knowledge, and competencies necessary to lead innovative and successful schools.
What does it look like?
In partnership with
Truist Leadership Institute, the South Carolina Department of Education has developed and implemented a rigorous, seven-month institute for veteran principals. The cohort is designed to enhance principal’s skills in three areas: Instructional Leadership, Leading Change, and Engagement and Motivational Strategies. Three sessions are conducted by Truist Leadership Institute with one of those sessions held in Greensboro, North Carolina. The remainder of the sessions are held at the Office of Educator Effectiveness and Leadership Development classroom in Columbia, South Carolina. Each cohort has approximately twenty-four educators from diverse backgrounds and schools.
The cohort will include strategies like small and large group discussion, teamwork, Socratic seminars, simulations, scenarios, self-reflection, 360° feedback, problem solving, inquiry cycles, coaching teachers, human capital, case studies, study teams, and networking. With Instructional Leadership at its core, participants will leverage key strategies to address challenges and shifts in the field of education.
What are people saying?
- “Since completing SLEI, I have been reflecting more on my motivations. I have also used the strategies I have learned to implement change within my building."
- My cohort was a fantastic group of administrators who have tremendously impacted my professional life. Engaging with diverse, like-minded leaders across the state allowed me to collaborate, problem-solve, and continuously improve my leadership skills."
- "I am so thankful for this department at the SCDE. The leaders and information that was shared and completed helped add to my support and gave me more refreshing ideas that I could immediately apply to my job criteria."
- "Truist was such an eye-opening experience. Truly unforgettable. I wish all leaders could experience it."
- "The SLEI lead facilitator was fabulous. Our conversations were valuable and heartfelt. He has a true passion for school leadership."
- "The School Leadership Executive Institute is a remarkable program I wish I had earlier in my administrative career. Through my experience in the program, I learned more about the quirks that have shaped and molded my leadership style and methods to leverage my abilities to be a transformational leader to a greater extent than a transactional leader."
What do you need to know?
SLEI is a seven-month professional development opportunity with three one day sessions and two two-day sessions. Each session runs from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm with an hour for lunch. Participants are required to have permission from their superintendent or designee prior to session one and attendance is required for all sessions.
The following are required for successful completion: 1) Participants choose among multiple instructional and equity tools to identify an area in their school in which they want to improve and collect data and 2) Participants collect feedback from staff using a school culture survey to reflect on working conditions, and staff, student, and community relations. Participants are eligible for 120 renewal credits upon completion of all sessions and required work. There is a fee associated with this course; however, the participant/school/district are responsible for travel. Lunch will be served on site to maximize learning and opportunities to network with participants.
South Carolina Department of Education memo
Contact: Dr. Gerard Edwards,
gedwards@ed.sc.gov, 803-896-0224
Cohort 55
Cohort 55 A Registration Link
SLEI Cohort 55 A Class Dates
August 7, 2025 (Online orientation)
August 14, 2025, Columbia, SC
September 8–11, 2025 Greensboro, NC at Truist Leadership Institute Group A
November 13–14, 2025, Columbia, SC
December 11, 2025, Columbia, SC
January 23, 2026, Columbia, SC
February 24–25, 2025, Columbia, SC
August 7, 2025 (Online orientation)
August 14, 2025, Columbia, SC
September 22–25, 2025 Greensboro, NC at Truist Leadership Institute Group B
November 13–14, 2025, Columbia, SC
December 11, 2025, Columbia, SC
January 23, 2026, Columbia, SC
February 24–25, 2025, Columbia, SC
August 19-20, 2025, Columbia, SC
