About the Principal Leadership Institute

UCLA Principal Leadership Institute Students

UCLA’s Principal Leadership Institute program (PLI) prepares educators to be social justice leaders in Los Angeles schools who:

  • Advocate for quality learning opportunities;
  • Improve teaching and learning;
  • Promote educational achievement for all students;
  • Create democratic and culturally-responsive learning environments;
  • Build partnerships with parents and community groups.

program grants

Completion of the program provides:

  • Master of Education degree
  • California Tier 1 Administrative Credential

application deadline

Cohort 26 Application deadline:
FEBRUARY 10, 2025

scholarships awarded

Based on need

profile of cohort 25

Applicants Accepted: 31
Enrolled: 30
Age Range: 27 – 62

communities served

2024-2025 COHORTS 1-24

High Poverty: 88%
Low Poverty: 12%

alumni leadership roles '24 - '25

DATA FOR COHORTS 1-24

District level roles 15%
Principals 15%
Assistant Principals 11%
Full-time K-12 Classroom teachers 19%
Other school-based educational leaders 16%
Higher Education  3%
Other educational roles outside of K-12 4%
Leave Education/Taking Time Off  8%
Retired 5%
Unknown 4%

diversity

Students Ethnicity Percentage – 2024-2025 COHORT 25

Gender of Students
Female: 90%   Male: 10%

Faculty Ethnicity Percentage – 2024-2025 COHORT 25

Gender of Faculty
Female: 67%   Male: 33%

Leading for Justice

Applying for the 2025-26 academic year?

The application will be available from mid-September, 2024 through February 10, 2025.

My experience with PLI was deeply insightful and an opportunity to examine and understand by own privileges, biases and stereotypes. The first summer course with Dr. Cooper was the perfect choice to set the trajectory of the program. PLI broadened my outlook and allowed me to understand how systemic racism and organizational structures that are created to uplift white people are embedded in our schools, communities, and country, and how these negatively impact the lives of people of color and those form lower socioeconomic communities on a daily basis. PLI gave me the tools to feel empowered to engage in difficult conversations that address these issues and work towards become an agent of change.”

Faiza Seedat
Faiza Seedat