Page 3 - 2025 Spring Conference Brochure
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Pre-Conference
                     Pre-Conference



                          Keynote Address
                          Keynote Address



                   Wednesday, April 2, 2025


                 Successful Leadership in an


                   Educational Environment:
         Overcoming the Compliance Mindset



        Dr. Adam Larsen, the Executive Director of Facilities and Planning at Peoria USD, takes
        a no-nonsense approach to leadership in public schools. As a former high school head
        football coach and athletic director, he understands the vital importance of leadership
        in forming and supporting teams that get things done. In this session, Dr. Larsen will
        discuss the leadership strategies he’s employed to create cohesion between disparate
        departments and to drive innovation and change.




                                        Meet Dr. Adam Larsen
                                        Meet Dr. Adam Larsen


                       Dr. Adam Larsen is known for his contributions to school leadership re-
                       search with a focus on innovation. As the Executive Director of Maintenance
                       and Operations for the Peoria Unified School District, Dr. Larsen draws on
                       his 22 years of experience as a journeyman carpenter, Assistant Principal,
                       Athletic Director, coach, and teacher to provide leadership training to school
                       leaders across the country.


                       Adam earned his Doctor of Educational Leadership with Distinction from
                       Northern Arizona University in 2023, where he researched the role of inno-
                       vation in combating compliance fatigue. He holds a Master’s in Educational
                       Leadership from Northern Arizona University, a Master’s in Physical Edu-
                       cation/Coaching from Ball State University, and a Bachelor’s in Technology
                       Education from Brigham Young University.

                       Dr. Larsen has published articles in a number of journals where he’s ad-
                       dressed the need for decisive leaders that are prepared to combat the com-
                       pliance mindset. He has worked to promote school leader autonomy and
                       has made significant strides in educational reform, notably advocating for
                       increased funding for special education students. His involvement in various
                       state and national committees and professional associations further high-
                       lights his dedication to advancing the field.

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