BU Wheelock: What need does the executive EdD in higher education leadership fulfill and how does it address current trends in the field?

Sherri Hughes: The complex challenges facing higher education require systemic change and multifaceted agile solutions. Students in the executive EdD program will learn to understand complex problems, engage a variety of stakeholders, and collaborate to respond and adapt to the needs of their students, their faculty and staff, and their communities.

BU Wheelock: What skills and experiences will they gain?

Sherri Hughes: The executive EdD serves practicing higher education leaders who need advanced study in leadership and solving the problems facing higher education.Students will have the opportunity to study and develop solutions for the challenges and problems that they are encountering within their roles and institutions as well as those of the members of their cohort.

Because the program will host a cohort of leaders in a variety of roles and institutions, students will learn from differing perspectives and contexts. They’ll have the opportunity to put issues in the middle of the table and walk around it to see them from different perspectives.

BU Wheelock: What are some of the features of this program that make it unique?

Sherri Hughes: The entirely online format provides higher education leaders with an opportunity to earn a doctorate while they are employed full time. It is particularly helpful to leaders who work in areas that are remote or far from an institution offering doctoral degrees. Students will develop agile and innovative mindsets, and will learn to prepare for, respond to, and demonstrate resilience in the face of crisis.

BU Wheelock: What opportunities for hands-on learning experiences does this program offer?

Sherri Hughes: Students can take part in up to three leadership field experiences in which they work alongside and are mentored by experienced leaders in different roles or institutions. They will also be expected to select projects and assignments that will help them apply what they are learning to advance their institutions or address current challenges.

The program culminates with a capstone project focused on a current problem of practice within higher education. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the problem, explore the research, theory, and best practices that can be applied, use data-informed decision-making to design interventions or solutions, and identify and apply the metrics of success.

BU Wheelock: How will this program help students advance their professional/personal goals?

Sherri Hughes: Students will have the opportunity to continually assess their knowledge, skills, and experiences, and select the learning opportunities that will allow them to grow in areas that are critical to their success. They’ll learn from and with their colleagues and senior leaders at their own and other institutions. Graduates will be well-positioned to succeed in senior leadership roles within higher education including deans, cabinet positions, and presidencies/chancellorships.

BU Wheelock: What should students know about the faculty that are teaching in the program?

Sherri Hughes: The full-time faculty are accomplished professionals who have led their institutions through significant change in higher education and met the needs of students, faculty, staff and communities. In addition, they have experience in several sectors of higher education. The program will also feature a variety of successful senior leaders, part-time faculty, guests, and mentors.