The Future Is Award-Worthy: Non-Traditional Leadership Models in Education

What does education look like in a world where everyone’s voice is valued, and leadership is a shared responsibility? Non-traditional leadership models create opportunities for thought leaders, trailblazers, and award-winning innovators to thrive — shaping a brighter future for all. By embracing these approaches, you can stay ahead of the curve, embody the spirit of innovation, and position yourself to be a visionary leader — worthy of recognition and accolades.

Discover the transformative skills, knowledge, and inspiration you can gain from SXSW EDU 2025 sessions. Think of these as the "award-worthy" qualities you’ll develop as you learn to lead differently, innovate boldly, and embrace collaboration. Let’s explore how these sessions can inspire you to grow and make a lasting impact.

The Civic Engagement Champion

Learn to be a Civic Engagement Champion inspires and empowers youth to take an active role in shaping their communities and futures through education.

Join the session Transformative School Leadership for Youth Civic Engagement to hear speakers share innovative strategies to foster inclusive learning environments and support educators in championing civil discourse. This discussion focuses on equipping educators to help students better understand themselves, their communities, and their own power and agency. Attendees will leave feeling inspired and prepared to lead with purpose, passion, and the tools to create meaningful change.

Higher Education Trailblazer

The Higher Education Trailblazer honors bold initiatives that are redefining the higher education landscape by embracing innovation and transformative strategies.

Attend Innovation and Change in Higher Education to hear from a university president and the executive director of a 300-member institution network about changes being implemented in higher education. Discover how these initiatives are preparing students to navigate future challenges and learn practical ways to adopt these strategies in your own educational community.

Student Voice Advocate

The Student Voice Advocate amplifies student voices in curriculum development, ensuring education remains relevant and impactful.

Join the panel Developing Curriculum? Ask the Students First to hear from student leaders who will share how their input has shaped learning in data and AI skills. Gain actionable insights from their experiences and explore lessons that have the potential to revolutionize education, fostering a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

By attending these sessions, you’ll grow as a leader and contribute to a brighter, more inclusive future for education. Together, let’s embrace the opportunity to create an award-worthy future — one session at a time.

 See You at SXSW EDU 2025

Register today for SXSW EDU 2025! Take advantage early to save on your registration and unlock exclusive hotel rates for March 3-6, 2025 in downtown Austin. Sign up for SXSW EDU email updates, check out the News feed, watch videos, and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok to get the most up-to-date information.

Photo by: Caleb Pickens