Profile for

Roland Ranz Nelson

Department of Educational Leadership

Roland Ranz Nelson is a dedicated and visionary educational leader with over seventeen years of experience in instruction, curriculum development and campus administration. Currently serving as assistant principal at Slayter Creek Middle School in Anna ISD, he has spearheaded innovative, data-driven programs such as campus-wide RTI, interdisciplinary writing initiatives and targeted academic acceleration—all while cultivating a high-performing, supportive staff culture. His leadership has directly contributed to measurable gains in student attendance and academic growth.

A Conversation with Roland

What is something you enjoy about studying at East Texas A&M?

In all of my post-secondary education, I have had the blessing to work with incredible professors who take a personal interest in my development, and it has been no different at East Texas A&M. Dr. Farler is a knowledgeable and personable instructional leader for our superintendent cohort, and her encouragement convinced me to continue my postgraduate studies with a Doctorate of Education, which I expect to begin in January 2026. I am confident in her mentorship throughout this process, and I know that it will positively impact my career and those whom I serve.

Why did you choose your major/what draws you to your discipline?

I started having an interest in educational leadership after many successful years teaching AP Language and becoming a College Board Reader, for I wanted all students to have access to great curricula and high-quality instruction. During that time, educational psychology and the neuroscience behind teaching and learning became a huge passion of mine, and I have taken those theories and applied them both to my time as a curriculum coordinator and as a campus leader. Now I hope to broaden my scope of expertise by focusing on either school finance or school operations for my doctoral degree at East Texas A&M, but I will always put students' academic growth as my top priority.

Education

• Superintendent Certification, East Texas A&M University, In Progress
• Post-graduate Certification, Educational Administration, University of North Texas, 2016
• M.A., Humanities, University of Dallas, 2013
• B.A., Literary Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, 2008