As Chief of the National Aspiring Principals Fellowship at New Leaders, Dennis is at the forefront of a movement to reshape how school leaders are trained. Her work focuses on equipping aspiring principals with the tools, mindset, and support they need to lead schools through today’s most pressing challenges—from post-pandemic recovery to political polarization and the rise of artificial intelligence. 

“They are not quite sure how to turn that action into tangible practice and affect change within their building,” Dennis said in a recent conversation with Praxis. “Our program is designed to change that.” 

A National Network of Aspiring Leaders 

The Fellowship, launched in partnership with Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, and Bank Street Graduate School of Education, is a fully online, job-embedded principal preparation program. But its most distinctive feature may be its national, cohort-based structure. 

“Whether you are working in a rural school in Texas or an urban school in West Contra County, California, there are similarities in terms of the types of problems of practice that you are trying to resolve,” Dennis explained. 

That shared experience is more than symbolic. It creates a professional network that helps educators overcome the isolation that often comes with leadership roles in K–12 education. 

Coaching and Confidence in Action 

Participants in the Fellowship receive virtual coaching, engage in personal leadership development, and complete a curated residency aligned with real-world school leadership challenges. These elements are designed to build not just competence, but confidence. 

“We assign coaches to our participants so they can grapple with what’s happening in their buildings and get feedback before they implement a leadership move,” Dennis said. 

The program also emphasizes adaptive leadership—helping participants distinguish between technical and adaptive challenges and respond accordingly. 

Technology as a Bridge, Not a Barrier 

Dennis is also exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance leadership development. From AI-assisted interviews to real-time feedback on assessments, the Fellowship is integrating technology to make learning more personalized and accessible. 

“We’re thinking about how we can continue to enhance our virtual coaching models and incorporate AI in ways that support—not replace—educators,” she said. 

Removing Barriers to Leadership 

By partnering with mission-aligned institutions and offering flexible, high-impact programming, the Fellowship is opening doors for educators who might otherwise be left out of traditional leadership pipelines. 

“Anytime we can talk about apprenticeships, loan forgiveness, and scholarship opportunities, we’re helping remove barriers to participation,” she said. 

A New Vision for School Leadership 

In a profession where burnout is high and turnover is rising, Dennis is helping build a new kind of school leader—one who is confident, connected, and committed to change. 

Her message is clear: leadership isn’t just about authority. It’s about agency. And with the right preparation, today’s educators can become tomorrow’s transformative leaders.