CIGNA Grant Aims to Advance Efforts to Add Diversity to Ranks of School Superintendents

Amidst a summer of increased nationwide focus on racial equity and opportunity across many fields of endeavor, Connecticut-headquartered Cigna Corporation, a global health service company, donated $250,000 to expand an innovative program at Howard University in Washington, D.C. tackling systemic inequality in education by creating a pipeline of superintendents of color, specifically trained to lead in urban school districts.

The School of Education at one of the nation’s leading Historically Black College and University (HBCU) launched the AASA-Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy five years ago as a direct response to less than five percent of superintendents in America being persons of color. The Urban Superintendents Academy – an initiative of Howard University and the American Association of School Administrators - offers what is described as “a revolutionary approach to increase the supply of job-ready candidates of color to match the rapidly changing demographics in American schools and urban settings.”

The Academy provides a coordinated sequence of executive leadership and field experience modules, such as strategic thinking and planning, critical issues facing the urban superintendency, governing board and public relations, and social justice leadership over a nine-month period. Since its inception, nearly 100 participants have completed the program

"We are grateful for the commitment that Cigna has shown in supporting urban education," said Dawn Williams, Ph.D., dean of Howard University’s School of Education, recently. "We find ourselves fighting a history of structural racism while also trying to safeguard our health against a global pandemic. With the generous support of Cigna, we can attract, develop and retain cohorts of educational leaders to advance change for more equitable and just school systems."

University officials pointed out that racism and bias not only impact health; they take a toll on overall well-being, and when face to face with the education system, threaten to deepen existing racial gaps in education. Howard University is widely known for its legacy of tackling some of the world’s most challenging issues facing diverse populations.

"Superintendents of color have unique challenges as we are often tapped to lead high needs districts where millions of underserved students of color are in need of a high-quality education and where resources are scarce," noted Shawn Joseph, Ed.D, assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies and co-director of the AASA-Howard University Urban Superintendent Academy. "It takes skill, courage, and an unconquerable spirit to improve outcomes under these conditions."

"Cigna has a resolute belief in the power of diversity and inclusion and a long-standing commitment to health equity and equality that creates healthy and vibrant communities for all. In partnership with Howard University, Cigna is standing together in support to elevate a diverse next generation of leaders for our urban school communities," said Mike Triplett, president of Cigna U.S. Commercial business. "Education is the path to economic prosperity for many. We are proud to partner on this initiative and wish the program participants every success in their studies and in their future careers."

Of Connecticut’s 169 superintendents, ten are individuals of color, according to the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. The breakdown - 60% are Black, 40% are Latino, 33% are women. Among the superintendents who are Black are Dr. Tamu Lucero, who was named Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools - the first Black woman in the position - in April 2019, and Bloomfield Superintendent James Thompson, who has held that post since 2010 after a lengthy career in education in Hartford. 

The relatively small number of superintendents of color in Connecticut reflects similar patterns across the teaching ranks in the state.  A policy brief by the University of Connecticut’s Center for Education Policy Analysis last year found that:

·         Nearly one-quarter (44 of 201) of school districts in Connecticut employed no Black or Hispanic educators in the 2015-2016 school year,

·         Almost two-thirds (129 of 201) of school districts in Connecticut employed between zero and one Black or Hispanic educator for every ten positions,

·         Just over one-tenth (28 of 201) of school districts in Connecticut employed between one and four Black or Hispanic educators for every ten positions,

·         As of 2015, Connecticut’s Black educator workforce stood at 3.4% and Hispanic educator workforce at 3.5% of all teachers, and neither figure changed by more than one percentage point in the previous 15 years.

Cigna Corporation is a global health service company “dedicated to improving the health, well-being and peace of mind of those we serve.” Cigna maintains sales capability in over 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 180 million customer relationships throughout the world. More information is available at www.cigna.com. The company is based in Bloomfield.

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Howard produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information, visit www.howard.edu.