The first Des Moines Public Schools principalship cohort, enrolled through a special agreement with the College of Education, will be honored at this month’s UNI commencement.

Known as the Purple Pathway for School Administrators, this program helps meet a need for administrative positions in the Des Moines school district,  as part of UNI@DMACC. While primarily online, the in-person classes are delivered on the DMACC Urban campus, providing hands-on experiences for students. Curriculum is tailored to meet the unique leadership needs of DMPS.

"This partnership is so valuable in growing leaders in Iowa's largest school district, and UNI is so excited to be part of this journey,” says Kenneth Hayes, program coordinator for Educational Psychology, Foundations & Leadership Studies.

More DMPS alumni are on the way! The 2025 cohort looks forward to orientation on the DMACC Urban campus in June with three more to follow beginning in 2027, 2029 and 2031 now that DMPS has entered into a new six-year agreement.