Online EdD School Interviews from OnlineEdDPrograms.com
Online Doctor of Education (EdD) programs have experienced both a growth in numbers and an expansion in specializations. In addition to more traditional programs that focus on educational leadership and administration, students can now pursue EdD programs in organizational leadership that focus more broadly on the role of education and training in any organization. EdD programs are academically rigorous and typically require the completion of a dissertation or other doctorate-level research or professional project. To give prospective students a clear and comprehensive illustration of online EdD programs, including typical curriculum structure and courses, the skills students can expect to build, faculty research areas and opportunities, and the academic and career support they may offer, OnlineEdDPrograms.com created this Faculty Interview Series. This Interview Series features candid insights from faculty members and program directors of online EdD Programs nationwide, covering topics such as:
- The core curriculum and specialization options of their online EdD program, as well as a discussion of key learning outcomes students can expect
- Faculty mentorship opportunities and how to optimize them to advance one’s career in education-based leadership
- Advice on navigating the dissertation and/or final project of their program, including delving into the research process and leveraging faculty guidance and other resources
- How to optimize one’s application to a selective EdD program
- The online technologies that their program integrates into the curriculum and assignments to ensure students’ engagement with course concepts, peers, and instructors
Connecticut
David Title is Chair of the Department of Educational and Literacy Leadership at Sacred Heart University, where he oversees the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, provides support and advising to students, and teaches courses as an Associate Clinical Professor.
Florida
Dr. Aefsky is the Director of Graduate Studies in Education at Saint Leo University, where she manages the Online Ed.D. in Education Leadership, including overseeing curriculum development and student advising, recruitment, and admissions.
Dr. Michele Gregoire Gill is Professor of Educational Psychology and the Program Coordinator for the University of Central Florida’s Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. As Coordinator, she oversees the program’s curriculum, advises all students, and hires and supports the program’s faculty team.
Dr. Hastings is the Assistant Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies at the University of West Florida, and the Chair of the Department of Instructional Design and Technology. She oversees curriculum design and student advising.
Dr. Jeter is the Program Coordinator for the University of Florida’s Online Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, and oversees the development of the program’s curriculum. He also teaches courses and advises students as a Clinical Assistant Professor.
Georgia
Dr. Varga is the Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Professional Counseling at UWG, where he oversees several undergraduate and graduate programs within the College of Education and teaches courses as an Associate Professor.
Dr. Varga is the Director of the online Ed.D. in School Improvement at the University of West Georgia, where she advises students, oversees curriculum development and admissions, and teaches courses as an Associate Professor of Educational Research.
Idaho
Dr. Curtis is the Chair of Graduate Education at Northwest Nazarene University, where she also oversees curriculum development and student advising as the Program Director for Doctoral Programs in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Ross Perkins is an Associate Professor and the Program Coordinator for Boise State University’s Ed.D., Ed.S., and M.S. programs within the Department of Educational Technology, where he oversees curriculum design, student advising, and admissions.
Dr. Patrick Lowenthal is an Associate Professor and the Co-Coordinator of the Ed.D. in Educational Technology. He helps oversee updates to the Ed.D.’s curriculum, supports faculty, and advises students on their dissertation.
Illinois
Dr. Cummings is the Program Director for the Online Ed.D. in Interdisciplinary Leadership at Governors State University, where he oversees student advising, career coaching, curriculum development, and recruitment and admissions.
Dr. Hu is the Program Coordinator for the Community College Leadership Ed.D. Program at Northern Illinois University, where she oversees curriculum development and student advising while also teaching courses as an Assistant Professor.
Iowa
Dr. Brenda C. Barnes is the Director of the Online Ed.D. in Health Professions Education at Allen College, where she oversees curriculum development and advising for the program, and teaches courses as a Professor.
Louisiana
Dr. Kim is the Director of the Online Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Louisiana Monroe, where he oversees curriculum design, student advising and research support, admissions and recruitment, and faculty hiring.
Massachusetts
Dr. Morriss-Olson is Distinguished Professor of Higher Education Leadership and the Founder of the HELOS program at Bay Path University. As Provost, she also led the development of 40 innovative academic programs at Bay Path.
Minnesota
Dr. Daniels is the Program Director for the Online Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership at Bethel University, where she oversees curriculum development and evaluation, student advising, and faculty support, while also teaching courses in the program as an Associate Professor.
Dr. Dressen is the Chair of the Department of Doctoral Studies in Education at Concordia University, St. Paul, where he manages student advising and admissions, curriculum development, and faculty hiring and support. He also teaches numerous graduate courses as an Assistant Professor.
Dr. Chery Lucarelli is the Chair of Doctoral and Graduate Education Studies at the College of St. Scholastica, where she oversees the Online Doctor of Educational Leadership and teaches courses as a Professor of Education.
Dr. McCullar is the Chair of the Educational Leadership and Higher Education Department at St. Cloud State University, where he oversees the development of graduate programs in the Department, and also teaches courses.
Dr. Reimer is the Program Director for the Online Ed.D. Leadership in K-12 Administration at Bethel University, where she advises students, oversees program accreditation, supports faculty, and manages curriculum design and evaluation.
Missouri
Dr. Rauscher is the Program Director for Logan University’s Ed.D. in Health Professions Education. She oversees the program’s curriculum development, as well as faculty hiring and support, and student recruitment, admissions, and advising.
Nebraska
Dr. Kube is the Dean of Graduate Nursing and Health Professions at Bryan College of Health Sciences, where she oversees curriculum development, faculty hiring, and student advising for the Ed.D. and MSN programs.
Dr. Moss Breen is the Program Director for Creighton University’s Online Ed.D. in Interdisciplinary Leadership. As Director, she oversees student admissions and advising, faculty hiring, and all operations for the Ed.D. program.
Dr. Kari Wade is the Co-Founder of Nebraska Methodist College’s Online Ed.D. in Education and Leadership in Healthcare. She is also the Coordinator of the program, overseeing student advising and admissions, and teaches courses as an Associate Professor.
New York
Dr. O’Connell is the Director of the Online Ed.D. in Nursing Education program at Teachers College Columbia University. She oversees curriculum development, student advising, faculty hiring and support, and the integration of innovative online learning technologies into the program.
North Carolina
Dr. Brown is the Director of the online EdD in Kinesiology at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she designs the curriculum, oversees student advising and admissions, and also teaches courses as a Kinesiology Professor.
Ohio
Dr. Gillham is the Chair of the University of Findlay’s Doctorate of Education program, where he oversees curriculum development, student advising, and admissions, while teaching courses in the program as an Associate Professor.
Dr. Kimberly S. Peer is Full Professor of Athletic Training and Program Coordinator for the Ed.D. in Interprofessional Leadership at Kent State University, where she oversees curriculum development, student admissions and advising, and faculty hiring for the Ed.D. program.
Oklahoma
Dr. Case is the Director of Graduate Programs in Education at Southern Nazarene University, where she oversaw the development of the Online Ed.D. in Administration and Leadership, and teaches courses as a Professor of Education.
Pennsylvania
Dr. Bandlow is the Director of Doctoral Studies in Education at Gwynedd Mercy University, where he created the Online Executive Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and manages its curriculum development, student advising, and admissions. He also teaches courses as a Full Professor of Educational Policy.
Dr. Karim Medico Letwinsky is an Associate Professor and the Doctoral Department Chairperson at Wilkes University, where she also serves as Director of both of Wilkes University’s online Ed.D. programs and the international graduate education programs.
South Carolina
Dr. Shotsberger is a Professor of Graduate Faculty and the Interim Coordinator of Doctoral Studies at Southern Wesleyan University, where he oversees curriculum development, student admissions, faculty training, and student advising. He also teaches courses on ethics and research in K-12 and higher education.
Tennessee
Dr. Good is the Program Coordinator for East Tennessee State University’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. He oversees student advising and admissions, curriculum development, and faculty hiring, and also teaches courses as a Professor.
Dr. Hebert is the Director of the Ed.D. program at Lipscomb University, where he oversees curriculum development, student advising, faculty support, and Ed.D. admissions. He also teaches courses in leadership, organizational theory, and leading learning as a Professor.
Dr. Lee is an Assistant Professor and the Program Coordinator for Austin Peay State University’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. She oversees student admissions, recruitment, and advising, as well as curriculum development for the program.
Dr. Ryan Longnecker is the Program Director for the online version of Trevecca Nazarene University’s Ed.D. in Leadership and Professional Practice. He oversees the program’s curriculum design, student advising, faculty hiring, and dissertation support.
Dr. Phillips is the Associate Dean of Union University’s College of Education and the Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership. He oversees curriculum development, admissions, and student advising for the Ed.D. and Ed.S. programs.
Texas
Dr. Burris is the Chair for the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications at Texas Tech University, where he has overseen the development of numerous undergraduate and graduate programs.
Dr. Song is the Director of the Online Ed.D. in Instructional Systems Design and Technology at Sam Houston State University, where he oversees the program’s curriculum design, hires and supports faculty, and supervises all student advising and support within the program.
Dr. Tony Talbert is the Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives at Baylor University, where he oversees programming for the School of Education and partners with local and national organizations to further BU’s mission statement.
Dr. Sandi Cooper is the Program Director for Baylor University’s Online Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change. She manages the program’s curriculum, student admissions and advising, and faculty hiring and support.
Dr. Viruru is a Clinical Professor and the Director of the Online Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction for Texas A&M University, where she oversees curriculum development, student recruitment and advising, and study abroad experiences for the program.
Ambyr Rios is the Director of Online Education for the Department of Teaching, Learning, & Culture, where she oversees online learning implementation and student support and engagement across all of the Department’s programs.
Dr. Yoon is a Professor and the Coordinator for the Online Ed.D. in Higher Education at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He oversees the program’s curriculum development, student advising, dissertation support, and faculty hiring.
Wisconsin
Dr. Elkins is the Program Director for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Online Ed.D. in Student Affairs Administration. She oversees the program’s curriculum development, student advising and mentorship, and recruitment and admissions.