Enhancing education: Infinite possibilities and measurable improvements

As executive director of Open Meadow Alternative School, Carole Smith (above, second from right, with students) works with "a staff that is incredibly committed to helping kids who have disconnected get reengaged in their education and figure out where their lives are going. I'm looking for ways to develop leadership opportunities for my staff, to ensure that they feel challenged and nurtured, and to provide that for the young people we serve as well."

To do all that, she focuses on enhancing her knowledge and skills in ways that make an immediate, positive impact. So in July 2004, she enrolled in the Graduate School of Education and Counseling's doctor of education in leadership program. It provides the opportunity, she says, to "go deeper into what I'm already doing" and to explore what other people are doing in the field.

The College's first doctoral program integrates each student's day-to-day work experience with rigorous coursework. A practical schedule allows students to complete the program in three years, all the while generating real-world improvements in their schools and districts.

Rainier School District Superintendent Michael Carter (see related article) welcomes that fusion of academic content and professional experience. "All of our projects and our doctoral thesis topics are tied to our profession. It makes it real," says Carter, "and it sets a trend for all universities. I think others can learn that you can tailor a program to fit working individuals and still meet high academic standards."

Shauna Adams, another doctoral candidate, is a licensed clinical social worker who uses compelling photos and other visual images to stimulate dialogue and deeper understanding around issues of cultural diversity. "What I love about the Lewis & Clark program is that it's more than information gathering. It's looking at my work and asking, "What is it, right now, that I can affect?" As I learn more about facilitating these complex and vital conversations, I will be able to take that forward into my work in a powerful way."

Read more about these leaders and the new Ed.D. program.