Educational Leadership MVP

Brennan Hoffer Hits Home Run in Administration and Athletics

Brennan Hoffer graduated from Longwood in May 2023 with a Master of Science in Education and a concentration in educational leadership, bolstered confidence, and a strong professional network. Two months later, he was promoted to assistant principal at Colonial Heights Middle School, having spent five years as a social studies teacher at Colonial Heights High School. Juggling administration and athletics, Hoffer also continues to inspire young athletes as head coach of the high school's varsity baseball team for the third year running.

“Longwood gave me the confidence to dive headfirst into administration, knowing I had the knowledge and skills necessary,” said Hoffer. 

Longwood’s Educational Leadership program also gave Hoffer the tools to research important issues in his field, prepare for his School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) exam, complete job applications, and perform well in interviews. 

“I felt like everything I was doing was preparing me for the next stage of my career,” he said. 

Now Hoffer spends his days leading in the field of education, and his afternoons leading on the baseball field. His time at Longwood taught him that true leadership — no matter the setting — is the business of building relationships. 

In fact, it was a personal relationship that led Hoffer to Longwood when his friend, colleague, and 2021 Educational Leadership M.S. graduate Kevin Napier recommended the program to him. Soon after he started classes, Hoffer saw firsthand the value of the connections he built with his professors. 

“I would have no hesitation reaching out to any of them to this day,” Hoffer said. “They absolutely, without a doubt, would drop what they are doing to help.”

His Longwood relationships have also cultivated a strong professional network, enhanced by the Educational Leadership program’s cohort design. Former classmates have become colleagues, and Hoffer often reaches out to them for advice.

“It was a professional setting and a rigorous environment, but the cohort became a very tight-knit group, and we are now close friends,” he said.

All the while, in pursuing his master’s degree, Hoffer worked full time as a teacher and coach. 

“Someone as busy as myself needed a program that valued my time as much as I did,” he said.

Longwood’s hybrid model, which is designed for working professionals and requires only five on-campus Saturday classes each semester, offered him flexibility and support to jumpstart his career in educational administration.

“My new job excites me, continues to provide purpose, and allows me to make an impact on my community and those in it,” said Hoffer. “I would recommend — and have already recommended — Longwood’s Educational Leadership master’s program without hesitation to anyone. As far as I am concerned, there is not another around that compares, and the price makes it even better!”