The Mind Trust Announces Selection of Second Cohort of Indiana Charter School Fellows

INDIANAPOLIS — (July 20, 2026) — Four fellows join the second cohort of The Mind Trust’s Indiana Charter School Fellowship (ICSF), a program for proven leaders to grow more high-quality K–12 public school options in Indiana. This cohort will work to launch and expand schools across Indiana, continuing The Mind Trust’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities beyond Indianapolis. Fellows will work to launch and grow schools across three cities in Indiana: Indianapolis, Elkhart, and South Bend.

“Every child in Indiana deserves a school worth choosing. That begins with leaders worth following,” said Luke Lennon, Vice President of Talent and School Growth at The Mind Trust. “As we enter the second year of the Indiana Charter School Fellowship, we look forward to providing this new cohort with the time, counsel, and support needed to turn their proven talent into lasting institutions across Indiana.” 

The Mind Trust will support the growth of K-12 education options in Indiana that feature innovative new school models, replicate successful existing school models, foster partnerships between traditional districts and charter schools, and align with the state’s revamped new diploma requirements and readiness seals.

About The Mind Trust’s Indiana Charter School Fellowship

The Indiana Charter School Fellowship provides school leaders with the time, resources, and strategic guidance needed to successfully launch public charter schools in Indiana. Fellows receive personalized executive coaching, opportunities to visit innovative schools nationwide, and support throughout the school development process to refine their school model. Fellows benefit from a wide range of national charter school development experts to ensure their school is set up for academic, organizational, financial, and operational success.

ICSF programming and structure are based on The Mind Trust’s fellowship and investment tracks, which have supported the launch of more than 50 public charter and innovation network schools in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Mind Trust’s previous school development fellowships, including the Innovation School Fellowship and Charter School Fellowship, have supported the growth of some of Indianapolis’ largest and most effective charter school networks, including Christel House Indianapolis, Herron Classical Schools, KIPP Indy Schools, Paramount Schools of Excellence, and Purdue Polytechnic High Schools.

Indiana Charter School Fellows Cohort 2:

Dr. Dwayne Lucas, Urban Dove Team Charter School – Indianapolis

Dr. Dwayne Lucas will launch the Indianapolis location of Urban Dove Team Charter School (Urban Dove), a re-engagement high school network serving over-aged, under-credited youth. Urban Dove’s innovative model fuses a robust academic curriculum with sports-based youth development, equipping students with a diploma, a pathway to higher education, and essential job skills, all within a culture of teamwork, restorative practices, and shared responsibility.

Dr. Lucas is a seasoned school leader with more than a decade of building-level and district-level experience in Indianapolis. Most recently, he has served as the Principal of Robert Lee Frost Elementary School since 2021. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Principal at Clarence Farrington Elementary School and as Dean of Climate and Culture roles at both Clarence Farrington and George Washington Community School. Dwayne holds a Doctor of Education in Education Administration from Indiana State University, an Educational Specialist degree in School Administration and Supervision from Indiana State University, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Eastern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Science in History Education from Illinois State University.

Ashley Molyneaux, Premier Arts Academy – Elkhart

Ashley Molyneaux is the Founder and Head of School of Premier Arts Academy, a K-8 public charter school in Elkhart, Indiana. The school integrates academic rigor with arts-based instruction, small-group differentiation, and challenge-based learning. Under Molyneaux’s leadership, the school has grown by more than 85% since opening its doors in 2023, expanding from its original elementary program into a thriving K–8 arts-integrated model serving students across the region. 

Molyneaux is recognized for her ability to bring together schools, nonprofits, businesses, philanthropic organizations, and community leaders around a shared vision for student success. Prior to founding Premier Arts Academy, Molyneaux co-founded and served as Executive Director of the Elkhart Education Foundation, where she led the organization’s growth into one of the region’s most impactful nonprofits. She has spent more than two decades leading educational initiatives, building strategic partnerships, and launching programs that improve outcomes for students and families. Ashley holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University Chicago, a Master’s degree in Administrative Leadership from National Louis University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from DePauw University.

Amy Ryan, Career Academy Network of Public Schools – South Bend

Amy Ryan will lead the high school expansion of The Portage School of Leaders (PSL), a member of the Career Academy Network of Public Schools (CANOPS), a tuition-free public charter school system in South Bend serving students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. This will be their fifth school, with enrollment expected to grow by 80% to serve additional students in grades 9–12. CANOPS fosters authentic, project-based learning that is real-world, connected, and engaging, with a focus on eliminating social, emotional, and academic barriers so every student has the opportunity to thrive. 

Ryan brings deep expertise in competency-based education, instructional leadership, and social-emotional learning. Before becoming Head of School at PSL, she held various other positions within the network, including ELA Teacher, Lead Teacher, and Academic Lead. She has led the implementation of mastery-based learning, standards-based grading, interdisciplinary project design, and restorative practices across the network, while overseeing assessment strategy and faculty development. Ryan holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Indiana University South Bend, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Notre Dame, and a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from the University of Detroit Mercy.

Lidia Vidal Sandate, Monarca Academy High School – Indianapolis

Lidia Vidal Sandate will lead the high school expansion of Monarca Academy, an Indianapolis Public Schools Innovation Network School currently serving students in grades 6–8, in Indianapolis. With support from a $2 million Lilly Endowment grant, Monarca Academy will add 9th grade in Fall 2026 as part of a continued expansion of its community-focused model. 

Vidal Sandate is a bilingual educator and instructional leader with more than a decade of experience serving students in Indianapolis. Most recently, she served as a Spanish and English Language Development (ELD) teacher. A recipient of the Latinx Teacher of the Year Award (2021), Global Preparatory Academy Teacher of the Year (2019), and multiple above-and-beyond recognitions, Lidia brings a deep commitment to bilingual and dual-language education. She holds a Master’s in School Administration from Butler University’s Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Universidad Pedagógica Nacional.

To learn more about the Indiana Charter School Fellowship and current fellows, visit themindtrust.org/indiana-charter-school-fellowship.