Native American Leadership in Education (NALE) Cohort

The purpose of the NALE cohort is to enable UNM COEHS, TEELP and the Educational Leadership Program to address specific needs within tribal and broader Native American educational leadership in New Mexico. NALE demonstrates UNM’s commitment to Indian education in tribal, rural and urban communities. Intentional curriculum and program development addresses the unique needs of communities in the P-20 pipeline while increasing the number of Native American leaders across the education spectrum in New Mexico, nationally, and internationally.

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OF STUDY

Selected cohort members will complete 30 hours of required course work, 18 hours of electives, apply 24 credit hours previous graduate work to the program of studies, and complete a minimum of 18 dissertation credit hours. Please visit the Educational Leadership Program website for more detailed information about the required coursework.

BENEFITS OF THE NALE COHORT

• Cohort members will receive a doctoral orientation and family induction process.
• Each course is Indigenous based and focused.
• Members will have a choice to be matched with a Native American leadership mentor and faculty advisor that will provide support during the doctoral process.
• There are intentional opportunities to present and share educational experiences during the doctoral process.

MEET OUR DYNAMIC TEAM:

Dr. Allison Borden, Professor (aborden@unm.edu)
William Holmes, (Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma), Assistant Professor (wtholmes@unm.edu) 
Dr. Shawn Secatero (Diné), Assistant Professor (ssecater@unm.edu)

PROSPECTIVE NALE COURSES:

LEAD 650-Leadership as Researcher
LEAD 601-Leadership Perspectives
LEAD 634-Education, Politics and Policy
LEAD 602-Indigenous Leadership in Education and Community Contexts

By participating in this program, students will complete 30 hours of required course work, 18 hours of electives, apply 24 credit hours previous graduate work to the program of studies, and a minimum of 18 dissertation credit hours. Please visit the Educational Leadership Program website for more detailed information about the required coursework. 

NALE curriculum includes the strengths of tribal communities, Indigenous methodology, and community based approaches.

• We encourage tribal members to apply and participate in the cohort.
• We would like a diverse group of NALE applicants to help address educational/community needs in New Mexico as well as surrounding states.

Applicant Requirements

• Experience as an educator (in schools, college/university, at a state/federal level, with tribes or in a community context).
• An ability to work cooperatively in a community of learners.
• Must hold a M.A. degree from an accredited college/university.
• Commit to give back to their community, in a capacity that will serve Native American communities/tribal nations after graduation.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

• The Native American Doctoral Cohort in Leadership and Education has recruited our fourth cohort of Native American Doctoral students. We hope to recruit another cohort in the near future. We will provide further updates.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Download the Application Process PDF

1. Submit a UNM Graduate School Admission Packet by going to the following link: https://app.applyyourself.com/AYApplicantLogin/fl_ApplicantLogin.asp?id=unmgrad
2. New applicants will need to create an account to access UNM’s application network. Click on create account to continue.
   
3. Please select College of Education > Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy > Educational Leadership > EdD Educational Leadership.
   
4. Submit a letter of intent and a professional biographical form. You can find all required forms and more information about the application at the Educational Leadership Program website. (For questions about submitting the application please call 505-277-0513)
   
5. Write an original 5-7 page paper on a Native American based educational leadership topic in which you have demonstrated transformational leadership for positive change. Use APA citations.
6. Submit updated CV/Resume Updated Curriculum Vitae or Resume
7. Submit three letters of reference.

NALE COHORT CONTACT INFORMATION

Shawn Secatero, Ph.D.
Associate Professor + NALE Coordinator
(505) 277-6018
Ssecater@unm.edu

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Our program has determined it meets professional licensure requirements in the state of New Mexico. It has not determined it meets professional licensure requirements in any other state.

UNM POLLEN Program Leadership Framework