What if we looked at failure not as a flaw—but as fuel for innovation? In this inspiring episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with Roxanna Villaseñor, former superintendent and CEO of Universal Leadership and Associates, to explore what it truly means to lead with intention and hope in an uncertain and rapidly evolving educational landscape.

With a career spanning the classroom, central office, and systems-level leadership, Roxanna brings a rare blend of instructional depth and strategic foresight to the conversation. Together, she and Dr. Conner dig into the necessary cultural and mindset shifts leaders must embrace to meet the needs of Generation Alpha and Generation Beta—students coming of age in a world defined by diversity, digital access, and deep disruption.

From redefining failure as innovation to aligning technology with wisdom, Roxanna challenges us to ask: Are we bold enough to design systems that truly reflect the strengths and needs of today’s learners? She shares powerful insights on multilingual education, universal design for learning, mental health as a non-negotiable, and the importance of honoring voices that have historically been overlooked.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Bold Leadership Mindsets: Why Gen Z and Alpha demand new models rooted in hope, empowerment, and social responsibility.
2. Data + Humanity: How to use timely data to reflect values, not just measure outcomes—and why AI can become a surprising ally.
3. Failure as Feedback: Why organizations must reframe failure as a path to innovation, growth, and resiliency.
4. Global Citizenship: Why preparing students for the future requires SEL, environmental literacy, and real-world collaboration.
5. Systems with Soul: Practical shifts in scheduling, MTSS, and leadership development that center students and families at every step.

In a time when education is too often driven by politics or fear of change, this conversation reminds us of what’s possible when leaders make equal opportunity their compass and excellence their standard. Dr. Conner and Roxanna invite us to rise up, think bigger, and reimagine what thriving can look like for every student—especially in a world that won’t wait.

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