Season 1, Episode15: From Mentor to Movement Builder: Developing Leaders who Design for System Change

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for ChangeMakers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Stephen F. Corsi, Assistant Professor and Program Director for Advanced Leadership Certification in the Graduate School of Education at Gannon University. With more than four decades in education, as a music director, building principal, service coordinator, and graduate leadership mentor, Stephen shares what it truly means to develop leaders who design systems for change. Drawing from years of mentoring educators, supervising internships, redesigning programs, and expanding leadership pathways, he offers practical insight into preparing candidates for real-world complexity and widening equitable access. Together, they explore: The evolution of leadership pipelines and equitable access Why leadership is behavior—not position—and the role intentionality plays in growing leaders The power of integrity, humility, consistency, and “checking your ego at the door” How field experiences and mentorship move leaders from theory to practice Why practitioner-led preparation strengthens graduate leadership programs How STEM education fosters innovation, risk-taking, and systems thinking The importance of constructive, honest feedback in shaping future leaders Listeners will gain insight into: How relationships and partnerships fuel leadership development Why behavioral principles—modeling, consistency, professionalism—shape leadership impact How real-world fieldwork and reflection turn theory into authentic leadership practice What it means to lead through change fatigue with clarity, purpose, and a focus on students Stephen reminds us that education is a team sport and meaningful change happens when leaders model purpose, consistency, and compassion. This episode offers practical wisdom for educators, graduate students, aspiring administrators, higher education faculty, and anyone committed to designing systems that create meaningful, sustainable change. Stephen’s Bio: Assistant Professor and Program Director for Advanced Leadership Certification, M.Ed. degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Academic Partnerships, and STEM Endorsement programs in the Graduate School of Education. Advanced Leadership Certification programs include Principal, Superintendent, and District-Wide Supervisory in Curriculum and Instruction. I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Music Education and Master of Music Degree from Duquesne University. My elementary/middle school principal and music supervision certificates are from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, with further post graduate studies at Ithaca College and IUP. For 15 years, I taught instrumental and vocal music in grades K-12, while teaching as an adjunct professor at Slippery Rock University, Grove City College, and Duquesne University. For 13 years I was the Professor of Percussion at Allegheny College, where I taught Applied Percussion, World Percussion, in addition to conducting the University Percussion & Mallet Ensemble & Jazz Band. Over the last 21 years of my public-school career, I was a Middle School Assistant Principal in the General McLane SD for 5 years, and the Elementary Principal at Conneaut Valley Elementary School in the Conneaut SD for 16 years, retiring in June of 2014. I began teaching at Gannon University in May of 2014, and have really enjoyed teaching in the Graduate Education Program, working with terrific colleagues and virtually supporting and working with educators in our program. I enjoy spending time with my family, church, biking, woodworking, teaching percussion students and Drum Circles, and repurposing recyclables to create musical instruments.