TST BOCES officially launched the third cohort of its Aspiring Leaders Program last night, January 20, welcoming a new group of educators and professionals committed to growing their leadership skills and strengthening education across the region.
The Aspiring Leaders Program brings together emerging leaders from Tompkins, Seneca, and Tioga counties who have been identified by their districts as individuals with strong leadership potential. Through coursework, mentorship, and collaboration with experienced administrators, the program is designed to prepare participants for future leadership roles in education.
This year’s cohort includes:
Rebecca Dann, TST BOCES
Andrew Farinelli, Lansing Central School District
Ashley Martone, Candor Central School District
Kirsten Pike, TST BOCES
Lauren Rocker, TST BOCES
Mariah Young, Candor Central School District
What sets the Aspiring Leaders Program apart is its commitment to guaranteed mentorship from experienced educational leaders across the region. Proven leaders who are actively serving in superintendent and district-level roles commit their time and expertise to support the next generation of leaders, mentoring participants and guiding them throughout their Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) coursework. These partnerships create a strong foundation for learning, reflection, and growth throughout the program.
Mentors and aspiring leaders for Cohort 3 include:
TST BOCES
Lily Talcott, District Superintendent
Lauren Rocker, Instructional Specialist for Technology Integration
Cindy Walter, Assistant Superintendent
Rebecca Dann, Physical Education Teacher and Community Liaison
Kirsten Pike, Instruction Specialist
Candor Central School District
Kim Nichols, District Superintendent
Ashley Martone, Special Education Teacher
Mariah Young, 4th Grade Teacher
Lansing Central School District
Chris Pettograsso, District Superintendent
Andrew Farinelli, School Psychologist
Participants were selected through a competitive process that includes district nomination, a written application, and an interview.
The kickoff also marked the beginning of EDL 629: Introduction to Leadership, the first course in the CAS program offered through SUNY Cortland. The course is led by Michelle Brantner, course instructor, with support from Cindy Walter, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional and Career Services at TST BOCES, who serves as course co-instructor. Joe Menard from SUNY Cortland’s Educational Administration Program also supports the program and its connection to graduate-level leadership preparation.
“I can’t believe this is already the third cohort to go through this model,” said Menard. “It’s a wonderful program that gives participants a strong foundation as they begin their graduate coursework. These are SUNY Cortland students earning credit toward their Certificate of Advanced Study while building a regional network from the very start. Participants in the Aspiring Leaders program often move through the CAS program together, taking the same courses as a cohort, which is both valuable and gives them a real leg up.”
Throughout the semester, participants will engage in leadership learning that is highly discussion based and shaped by the experiences of the cohort itself. While the program provides a shared academic framework, the learning is intentionally responsive to the individuals in the room.
“I’ve taught this course many times, both in the OCM BOCES region and now here in the TST region, and no two cohorts are ever the same,” said Brantner. “Each group brings different perspectives and experiences to the table. While there are common elements like guest speakers and a shared text that help guide our conversations, that is really where the similarity stops. The learning is driven by the people in the cohort and the dialogue they create together.”
As participants learn from one another within the cohort, the impact of that work extends beyond individual growth to the broader region. That broader purpose is central to the purpose and true mission of the Aspiring Leaders Program. Cindy Walter stated, “The Aspiring Leaders Program is about investing in people who are already leading from where they are. By bringing together educators from different districts and roles, we build relationships, expand perspectives, and strengthen leadership capacity across our entire region.”
With the launch of Aspiring Leaders Cohort 3, TST BOCES and its component districts reaffirm their shared commitment to cultivating leadership from within. Through intentional collaboration, mentorship, and regional partnership, the program continues to prepare educators who are ready to lead with purpose, perspective, and a deep understanding of the communities they serve.
Representing TST BOCES: Ms. Lily Talcott, Ms. Christine Alexander, Rebecca Dann, Lauren Rocker, Kirsten Pike, and Ms. Cindy Walter
Representing Candor: Ms. Kim Nichols, Mariah Young, and Ashley Martone
Representing Lansing: Ms. Lorri Whiteman, Andrew Farinelli, and Ms. Chris Pettograsso