Freed-Hardeman University Graduates First NISL Leadership Cohort
In Henderson, Tennessee, a group of educators has completed a landmark training initiative designed to reshape regional school administration. The inaugural graduating class of the National Institute for School Leadership program at Freed-Hardeman University marks the institution's first successful cycle of a rigorous, research-based curriculum aimed at elevating instructional management.
The program, established through a partnership with the National Center on Education and the Economy, focuses on equipping district leaders with data-driven decision-making skills and strategies for fostering school-wide collaboration. The 2026 cohort featured participants from Hardeman County Schools, Milan Special School District, and the university itself.
Dr. Sharen Cypress, dean of the College of Education & Behavioral Sciences, described the milestone as a pivotal shift for the future of regional educational leadership. Craig Harris, a supervisor for Hardeman County Schools, noted that the training provided immediate, practical tools for staff support and continuous improvement. While this cohort represents the university's first group of graduates, the curriculum remains a fixture in 35 states, having trained more than 12,000 educators nationwide.
Lead facilitator Sarah Hibbett emphasized that the program creates a shared professional language, moving away from isolated leadership toward a model of communal problem-solving. Freed-Hardeman University is currently sustaining this momentum; a second cohort is slated to finish in January 2027, with a third group scheduled to begin instruction in February 2027.
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