This qualitative study looks at the impact on the participants of 2 grant-supported initiatives over a 4-year period. The initiatives aimed at ways to improve the recruiting and mentoring of new school administrators, and ways to support experienced administrators throughout their careers. The School Leadership Initiative, a 3-year pilot mentor program, was designed mainly for assistant principals. The Richardson Mentor Principal program was created for seasoned administrators recognized for their achievements. The study comprises reflections and survey responses from principals and assistant principals who participated in the two initiatives and university professors who were its members. Included are three examples of school-change programs conducted by participants of the RMP program, each generating a list of recommendations for future programs for recruiting, developing, and supporting principals. Principal-preparation programs need to stress the following: (1) leadership practices: future leaders need opportunities to engage in planning, developing, directing, and implementing school programs; (2) support networks: administrators need mentoring and continuous support throughout their careers; (3) linking theory to practice: those in line for principalship need contextual experiences in developing leadership skills; mere managerial activities are not enough to prepare one to be a principal. (Contains 17 references.) (WFA)