For decades, Samford University's Orlean Beeson School of Education and Homewood City Schools have partnered to strengthen education in the community they call home.
The partnership, which dates back to the late 1990s, has helped prepare generations of school leaders through graduate programs designed to equip educators with the knowledge and practical experience needed to lead in today's schools. Today, more than 90% of Homewood City Schools administrators are graduates of Samford’s School of Education, reflecting the deep and enduring relationship between the two institutions.
"We as a school system are in deep with Samford," said Justin Hefner, EdS '16, EdD '18, superintendent of Homewood City Schools.
Homewood City Schools has participated in graduate cohorts through Samford since the late 1990s. While the district previously utilized a cohort model, it has recently shifted to encouraging all current administrators to pursue advanced degrees through the university.
"We have younger and newer administrators across the board who we want to have more advanced degrees, and we didn't seek that out anywhere else except Samford," Hefner said.
For Hefner, the value of Samford's programs lies in the practitioner-based approach. Faculty members bring firsthand experience from educational leadership roles and understand the real-world challenges facing schools today.
"When you have practitioner-based programs, you're being taught by people who know the real-world challenges in schools such as the legislative and financial issues," Hefner said. "You're being taught by people who have been through those things, so the value that adds to the education is massive."
The results of that investment are reflected in the district's achievements. Homewood City Schools was ranked the No. 1 school district in Alabama in Niche's 2025 rankings.
The district's success is also reflected in three schools, Hall-Kent Elementary, Homewood Middle School and Shades Cahaba Elementary, recently being named 2026 State and National Schools of Character by Character.org. Each school is led in some capacity by Samford graduates.
Samford President Beck A. Taylor said the presence of Samford alumni throughout the district highlights the impact of the partnership.
"There is something especially meaningful about watching Samford graduates invest their talents in the Homewood community," Taylor said. "These educators are shaping the lives of students just minutes from our campus, and their impact is a powerful reflection of the lasting influence of a Samford education."
The partnership extends beyond graduate education. As neighboring institutions located just minutes apart, Samford and Homewood City Schools regularly collaborate and learn from one another.
"I think Homewood City Schools' proximity to Samford calls for constant interaction," Hefner said. "We are neighbors, so there's that opportunity for us to visit Samford and for Samford to visit us."
Taylor said the relationship exemplifies the university's commitment to serving the surrounding community.
"One of the great privileges of being located in Homewood is the opportunity to serve alongside outstanding community partners," Taylor said. "Our relationship with Homewood City Schools reflects what it means to be a good neighbor, working together to invest in educators, students and the future of our community."
For educators, earning an advanced degree through Samford is both an immediate investment and a long-term one.
"Receiving a degree from Samford is something that I believe benefits them immediately, but also over the course of their career as a whole," Hefner said.
As education continues to evolve, Hefner believes ongoing professional learning is essential.
"Education is quickly evolving, and we have to be up to date on all of the evolution that's taking place," he said. "If we aren't learning, then we aren't evolving. That investment is massive in continuing to be really great producers of quality education for our kids."
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