FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 5, 2025

CLEVELAND, OH — The Ohio Education Policy Leadership Program (OEPLP), a premier initiative of Levin College’s Center for Educational Leadership (CEL), in partnership with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, is proud to announce the selection of 13 outstanding Ohio educators for its 2025–2026 Fellowship cohort.

This highly regarded 10-month professional development program equips organizational leaders with the skills and strategies needed to thrive in today’s complex education policy environment. Fellows engage in intensive learning experiences focused on leadership development, policy analysis, strategic relationship-building, and expansion of professional networks.

“The OEPLP experience provides immersive engagement with local, state, and national stakeholders and policy makers around significant education policy issues. The skills developed and connections made could not be more important to the future of education,” said Joanne E. Goodell, PhD, Director of the School of Education at Cleveland State University.

Formerly known as the Education Policy Fellowship Program, graduates have gone on to serve in senior leadership roles across school districts, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies throughout Northeast Ohio. This is the 17th cohort of Ohio Education Fellows, Class of 2025–2026:  

• Noor Alshafie – Burges & Burges Strategists
• N’ecole Ast – Woodridge Local School District
• Dr. Marnisha Brown – Richmond Heights Local School District
• Angela M. Cain – Case Western Reserve University
• Laura Gardner – Immigrant Connections
• Dr. Vickie Gallagher – Cleveland State University
• Meghann Marnecheck – The Partnership Schools
• Miranda Kogon Montoya – Buckeye Valley Local Schools
• Kristin Riley – Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District
• Casey Squires – Lakewood City School District
• Huaying Wang – Cleveland State University
• Richelle Wardell – City of Akron
• Tracy G. Williams – Shaker Heights City School District

For more information about OEPLP and the Center for Educational Leadership, please visit Cleveland State University’s CEL webpages.

About the Center for Educational Leadership at CSU
The Center for Educational Leadership was established at Cleveland State University in 2008 to improve leadership capacity across Northeast Ohio and beyond. The Center manages degree, school licensure, and professional development programs that move talented individuals along their leadership pathways, from teacher to principal to superintendent. Learn more at levin.csuohio.edu/cel.

About the Educational Service Center (ESC) of NEO
The ESC of NEO provides a wide range of services to school districts in the region, including professional development for educators, support for personalized learning, and technology services. They also facilitate partnerships, offer human resources support, and assist with college and career readiness. The ESC serves as a regional resource for districts, offering both direct services and support through various programs and networks.  Find more information at escneo.org.