July 10, 2017
Kansas Educational Leadership Institute mentoring program earns gold accreditation from International Mentoring Association
The Kansas Educational Leadership Institute, or KELI, was notified that after undergoing an exhaustive review, its program was awarded the top honor — gold accreditation — from the International Mentoring Association, or IMA.
Norma Dominguez, association president, congratulated KELI administrators and staff.
"I offer my heartfelt congratulations for receiving Gold Accreditation," Dominguez wrote in a letter informing the institute of the association's decision. "We are proud to recognize your program for the wonderful work that it is doing. Keep up the good work."
Rick Doll, KELI executive director, said it is affirming to be recognized by such a prestigious organization.
"Mentoring is what we do. It is our main purpose," Doll said. "Behind the accreditation, is a tremendous program but lesser known is the work it required to achieve gold accreditation and that success lies mainly with Donna Augustine-Shaw."
Augustine-Shaw is an assistant professor of education leadership.
"Achieving accreditation from the International Mentoring Association at the gold level is the result of so many efforts — from the founding work to establish KELI, through the leadership of the College of Education, KELI's executive directors and partners, and the great mentors who are the heart of our program," Augustine-Shaw said. "This achievement will bring increased awareness to KELI's model in serving new leaders in our state. We are proud to be part of it."
The Kansas Educational Leadership Institute was established in 2011 as a partnership formed by the Kansas School Superintendents Association, the United School Administrators, the Kansas Leadership Center, the Kansas Association of School Boards, the Kansas State Department of Education and Kansas State University. The institute is designed to support the professional development of executive leadership in Kansas schools. Initial programming focused on first-year Kansas superintendents and recently expanded to include new principals and building leaders.