WestConn Launches Educational

Instructional Leadership Doctoral Program

DANBURY — This fall, students will have the opportunity to pursue the first doctoral degrees conferred by Western Connecticut State University in education instructional leadership.

In December 2002, the Board of Governors for the Connecticut Department of Higher Education approved Western’s proposal to offer the four-year, 60-credit doctorate. Western is the only Connecticut University to offer the program, which, in fact, is available at only 12 other schools in the United States.

As a result, said Dean of Graduate Studies and External Programs Dr Ellen Durnin, a number of area teachers have been launching in-depth explorations of the doctorate program. “We’ve had about 300 serious inquiries,” she said. “Obviously, the program is addressing a real need in the community and there’s a strong interest in the approach we’re taking.”

Dean of the School of Professional Studies Dr Lynn Clark said the ultimate goal is overall enhancement of education in the region. Graduates will be prepared to return to their school districts with the skills needed to address the tough and ever-changing issues educators are facing. According to Dr Clark, the program has elicited widespread approval from many area administrators, including Gary Chesley, president of the Western Connecticut Superintendent’s Association and the superintendent of the Bethel school district, as well as assistant superintendent of the Danbury school district, William R. Glass.

“School district administrators throughout the greater Danbury area have been instrumental in fine turning the curriculum of the program,” Dr Clark said. “As a result of Western’s collaboration with these administrators, teachers who enroll in this program can be confident they will become competent educational leaders in their schools.”

Western expects to enroll about 25 teachers in the program’s first cohort, or group, of students. An admissions committee selects these students through a comprehensive process that included material review and interviews. The deadline to submit materials is Friday, August 1.

Students complete leadership assessments made up of three components, the first of which consists of a 360-degree feedback from the student’s peers, supervisor, and those who report directly to the student. “The assessment will highlight the emotional intelligence approach to learning, which focuses on developing the power to work effectively and constructively with others,” explained Dr Durnin. The second portion allows students to receive specific information about the dimensions of leadership.

 The final component will be accomplished when the students create personal development plans, which will include tasks for the students to undertake. Working with faculty guidance, the students will outline specific, detailed steps to promoting instructional leadership. The plans will serve as personal road maps as the students move toward receiving the doctorate, Dr Durnin said.

Western President James R Roach said launching the university’s first doctoral program is a major milestone as the institution moves into its second century of academic excellence. “This clearly demonstrates that it’s more than bricks and mortar that have changed,” he said. “We are continuing to strengthen our academic offerings to provide educational services to the community.”

For more information about the doctorate in educational instructional leadership program, contact the Division of Graduate Studies and External Programs at 837-8244.