Josh Friedman places students and staff at the center of every safety decision at Scottsdale Unified School District. His responsibilities encompass emergency preparedness, security personnel, technology investments and coordination with public-safety agencies across multiple jurisdictions. As Director of Safety and Security, Friedman connects these responsibilities through a people-first approach that keeps the district’s safety measures practical, sustainable and aligned with its educational mission. Coordinating Safety Across the District Friedman is responsible for the safety and security of everyone who enters or remains on district property, including students, employees, parents and visitors. Fulfilling that responsibility requires close coordination among campus personnel, publicsafety agencies and emergency-management partners. Scottsdale Unified School District operates across three cities served by three police departments and two fire departments. Friedman manages the district’s relationships with these agencies and local emergency managers. He also oversees the contract for 12 school resource officers assigned to the district. Approximately 35 unarmed district security officers serve its campuses. They build relationships with students and act as the first line of eyes and ears at each location. Friedman’s responsibilities extend from daily campus security to districtwide emergency preparedness. He maintains the incident command structure, oversees emergency operations plans and brings together the people and agencies that would need to coordinate during an incident. Keeping People at the Center Friedman’s leadership philosophy rests on a straightforward belief: school safety starts with people, not just policy or technology. He evaluates processes, staffing decisions and equipment investments by asking whether they will directly or indirectly benefit the children and employees on campus. Relationships are fundamental
Private Colleges and Universities
When Bellevue University opened its doors in 1966, it was established for a very specific group of learners: adults who wanted a college education but could not simply walk away from their jobs, families or responsibilities. Many early students were working professionals and military personnel connected to the Bellevue, Nebraska, community. Six decades later, that ideal has become the foundation of one of the country’s recognized private online universities. Bellevue now serves more than 18,000 students, with graduates living around the world. The university’s growth has been significant, but its purpose has remained true: to create pathways that allow students to move forward without putting their lives on pause. Dr. Mary Hawkins, President of Bellevue University, believes that the institution’s culture and focus on students has been the key to its ability to evolve. “Our University’s culture has always been shared by people who say yes to possibility, who put students first, and who believe education should lead to real opportunity.” She added, “We are committed to providing resources that empower students to pursue their educational goals, no matter their circumstances.”.
Elementary Schools
For 30 years, Cougar Run Elementary has remained a neighborhood school committed to helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the PK-5 school has built its identity around a simple belief: when children feel valued, supported, and connected, they are ready to learn. Its CRUN family culture is not simply a phrase but a daily practice that shapes relationships among students, families, and educators. Principal Shannon McPherson who has been a staff member for 17 years describes Cougar Run as a place where collaborative leadership guides decisions and where the whole child remains at the center of every initiative. “We do things together through a PLC. Our teachers have uninterrupted professional learning community time where they are looking at Tier 1 instruction, planning together, planning their assessments together, and looking at data together.”
Public Colleges
New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) has built its educational approach around meeting learners where they are, rather than expecting everyone to follow the same path. Guided by its mission, ‘promoting success through learning,’ the college supports learners from early college exposure and higher education through technical training and career advancement. It serves high school and college students, working adults, career changers and community members seeking new skills across different stages. “NMJC is more than a traditional college. It’s a regional educational and workforce partner that connects students, employers, schools and the broader community,” says Valerie Onsurez Gauna, Director of Outreach and Engagement. A Head Start on Higher Education NMJC begins engaging students well before enrolment. Its New Mexico Junior College S.T.E.A.M. Enrichment Program (NSEP) immerses students for a week in STEAM activities, including hands-on exposure to fields like robotics, automotive technology and architecture. NSEP Mini and NSEP Rising Stars extend that exposure to elementary and middle school students. Participants stay on the campus, work with professionals and interact with faculty and staff, allowing them to experience college before becoming students. NSEP reflects NMJC’s forward-thinking approach, with the program’s success measured by whether participants leave campus seeing themselves as future college students, innovators and STEAM professionals. Tuition-free dual-credit courses let high school juniors and seniors earn high school and college credit simultaneously while exploring majors and career pathways before graduation.
Catholic Schools
For more than a century, St. Ephrem Catholic Academy has served a diverse community of families in Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights who believe in its mission. Yet when Michael Phillips became principal three years ago, he found little cohesion, with some families attending school events while others did not. Changing that culture became a central priority as he worked to build a stronger sense of family among students, teachers, and parents. The culture began to take shape during a Night of Hope fundraiser organized to support three families in the community facing cancer. The school initially expected to raise $5,000 to $6,000, but the community ultimately raised $12,000, with a portion going to each family to help with medical bills. For Phillips, the response affirmed what St. Ephrem Catholic Academy could be when families came together to support one another. The same sense of belonging extends into the classroom, where Catholic faith shapes a whole-person education through academic growth, kindness, compassion, and respect. “We want our students to know that they are more than just a test score or report card, so they have different opportunities to explore their interests,” says Phillips.
Top 10 Library Directors - 2026
Casanna Jackson serves as Library Director at Jacksonville University, where she leads a student-centered library focused on accessible resources, meaningful learning and community connection.
Business and Management Schools
Reimagining Workplace Resilience in Higher Education
Keambra Pierson, Chief Academic Operations Officer, Schoolcraft College
Catholic Schools
Digital Creativity as a Catalyst for Deeper Learning
Jillian Pratt, Director of Digital Learning & Library Services, Comal Independent School District
Public Schools
Leading Change without Losing Purpose
Rick Johnson, Head of Schools, Community Christian School
IN MY OPINION
Boarding Schools
Designing Digital Experiences To Help Students Make Better Decisions In The Age Of AI
Michelle Tarby, Senior Director of Digital Engagement, Le Moyne College
LAST WORD
Boarding Schools
Don't Forget The Fundamentals
Don Welch, Adjunct Professor, New York University
IN FOCUS
K-6 Elementary Schools: Driving Educational Excellence and Institutional Growth
K-6 elementary schools build strong foundational learning, support holistic child development and prepare students for lifelong learning.
Academic Innovation: Powering Private Online University Success
Private online universities expand flexible higher education through personalized learning, interactive teaching, digital innovation, accessible support, career readiness and academic excellence.
EDITORIAL
Building Education around People
Our cover story features Scottsdale Unified School District's Josh Friedman, recognized as Safety and Security Director of the Year 2026. His work spans emergency preparedness, security personnel, technology and coordination with public-safety agencies, with each decision tied back to protecting students and staff while preserving the learning environment.
The same commitment to supporting students in practical ways is evident across the education sector. St. Ephrem Catholic Academy, named Top Catholic Academy 2026, has built a school culture around faith, academic rigor, hands-on learning and a strong sense of community. New Mexico Junior College (NMJC), recognized as Top Public Junior College 2026, gives students several ways to move forward, from early college exposure and dual credit to technical programs and workforce training.
Cougar Run Elementary, recognized as Top K-6 Elementary School 2026, pairs character education with collaborative teaching and targeted support for students. Bellevue University, recognized as Top Private Online University 2026, continues to serve working learners through flexible online programs, student coaching and career-focused education. At Jacksonville University, Library Director Casanna Jackson, recognized among the Top 10 Library Directors 2026, is creating a library environment that supports research, collaboration, information literacy and a sense of belonging.
The issue also brings broader perspectives on institutional capacity. Deb Miller, Associate Vice-President of Digital Learning and Innovation and Chief Online Learning Officer at the University of North Florida, emphasizes designing institutions around today’s learners, while Keambra Pierson, Chief Academic Operations Officer at Schoolcraft College, calls for workplace resilience rooted in individual sustainability, collective effort and organizational responsibility.
Across schools, colleges and universities, the stories in this edition show how thoughtful leadership can shape safer, more supportive and accessible learning environments. We invite our readers to explore these stories and the ideas behind the work, and consider what they mean for the future of education.
