The purpose of this course is to prepare literacy professionals to facilitate positive change in school and community settings through program development and evaluation, mentoring, and advocacy. Students will: understand and assume various roles as literacy leaders; learn how to develop, implement, and evaluate effective research-based literacy programs and practices; learn how to design, facilitate, lead, and evaluate effective professional development programs for professional educators; learn how to mentor colleagues and work collaboratively with families, teachers, administrators, policymakers, and community members in individual and group contexts; and learn how to influence local, state, and national policy decisions related to literacy education.