Meet Amie: Educational leadership

"It's really pressed me to think beyond the research and evidence part of it and getting to be more of a critical thinker."

What is your current position?

My current position is at Sunset Lake Elementary, as a BK-5 principal in Vicksburg Community schools.
Do you have any takeaways from the program?

I've enjoyed being exposed and immersed with other ethnic groups through the program. I really have enjoyed getting to know people and making friendships through the classes I've been taking, which is new to me. Because in my community that I grew up in and live in, we don't have as much diversity, although that's changing.
What else can you say about the program?

The K-12 educational doctoral program is definitely a challenge. It's really pressed me to think beyond the research and evidence part of it and getting to be more of a critical thinker. I've appreciated my time with Dr. Reeves, my advisor, and getting to know the importance of learning how to read for educational research.

Educational leadership at WMU

Due to the increasingly complex tasks including research and data analysis within all types of educational institutions, there is a demand for strong, transformational leaders.

Applying theory to practice is an overall theme for the Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership, with the case-study approach to learning used extensively. In addition to a small number of concentration related courses, an integrated "professional inquiry, research, and dissertation core" has been developed to increase the likelihood that students complete a Ph.D. rather than adding to the number of "all-but-dissertations" (ABD's) that exist in academia.