UCS administrator is a Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellow

By: Kara Szymanski | Shelby-Utica News | Published February 3, 2025

 Henry Ford II High School Associate Principal Anthony Tocco is among 12 school leaders statewide at the secondary level selected for the Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows.

Henry Ford II High School Associate Principal Anthony Tocco is among 12 school leaders statewide at the secondary level selected for the Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows.

Photo provided by Jennifer Kane

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SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Henry Ford II High School Associate Principal Anthony Tocco was recently named in a group of 12 school leaders statewide who will take part in an 18-month program for the next generation of administrators at the secondary level.

Tocco has been with Utica Community Schools for 12 years and has been a secondary administrator for the past four years.

He is part of the second group of the Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows, which is coordinated by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and the Michigan College Access Network.

Superintendent Robert Monroe said Tocco has passion for and commitment to his students’ pursuits.

“I am confident Mr. Tocco’s knowledge and experiences gained from this program will support our school district’s vision of empowering students to transform their future and the world. Mr. Tocco is an advocate and champion for his students who recognizes the importance of his role as a leader in our school district. His initiative to further his professional education showcases his commitment to his students,” he said.

This leadership collaboration between MCAN and MASSP “is designed to empower a diverse, statewide cohort of rising secondary school leaders. The 18-month project-based fellowship aims to create a robust pipeline of equity-minded, transformative principals who will champion postsecondary educational access and success for all Michigan students,” MCAN said in a press release.

Tom Lietz, MASSP associate director for training and development, said this is an opportunity for educational leaders to develop skills and support one another while they do so.

“The Fellowship will challenge these aspiring building principals to grow their leadership with a focus on equity and post-secondary opportunity,” he said.

“They will be equipped with equity-driven strategies that dismantle barriers and promote success for all students. By establishing best practices and networking with other education leaders across the state, these fellows have the potential to positively affect the paths of students far beyond their own buildings,” a Utica Community Schools press release states.

Tocco said he is happy to have been chosen to be a part of the program.

“It is an honor to have been selected for this program that prioritizes equitable post-secondary offerings for our students. I look forward to implementing the lessons I learn from this fellowship into my work with Utica Community Schools,” he said.

Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director, said the fellowship recognizes people “who can build equitable postsecondary practices for the next generations of students.”

“By developing secondary school leaders with the ability to enact meaningful, systemic changes, we can help ensure that all students — especially low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color — have access to postsecondary education that helps them reach their personal and professional aspirations,” he said.

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