Executive EdD Program
at
Western Carolina University

The Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership at WCU is a rigorous professional doctorate focused on the needs of senior level educational leaders situated in three contexts: P-12 schools, Community Colleges, and Universities.

The program is designed for working adults who presently serve in a leadership capacity. Cohorts progress through the three-year program in hybrid courses that meet one weekend each month. Fieldwork is embedded within each course, enabling students to apply their skills and knowledge to address authentic problems of practice.

The innovation of the Executive EdD Program at Western Carolina University highlights social justice in practical and measurable ways. WCU's commitment to shift from recommending to requiring a social justice and critical orientation to students’ disquisitions sets their program apart. The check points on social justice as students progress toward and through their disquisitions, along with validated instruments add significantly to how CPED members think about how to measure impact. Additionally, WCU's approach to improvement science – with thorough descriptions of process is particularly accessible – recognizable to those who are familiar with improvement science.

The Program of the Year Award is given annually to one or more institutions whose CPED-influenced programs show themselves to be distinctive, innovative, and useful to other CPED members.

Rosalyn Barnes

Fordham University

A spiritual leader and educational scholar, Rev. Dr. Rosalyn S. Barnes is redefining what it means to be a woman of purpose in ministry and leadership by disrupting and dismantling the patriarchal myths perpetuated in religion and academia about women. Rosalyn takes a holistic approach to spirituality and education, focused whole-heartedly on personalized spiritual, mental and physical wellness. For over two decades, she has provided spiritual counsel and high-quality service as an educator, professional developer, and ordained minister. Her scholarly work includes developing high quality curricula that are culturally relevant, building professional systems and structures, and cultivating healthy organizational cultures.

Rosalyn prides herself on being a lifelong learner.  Investing in her total wellness as it relates to spiritual, mental and physical health, she is always pursuing scholarship, reading, practicing self-care and traveling to gain new experiences. You will often hear her say, “This is the greatest work we will ever do…to inspire greatness and make an impact on the lives of others.”  

The Dissertation In Practice Award is given to EdD graduate(s) whose Dissertation in Practice shows evidence of scholarly endeavors in impacting a complex problem of practice, and aligns with CPED Working Principles. 

Jennifer Fellabaum-Toston

University of Missouri

Dr. Jennifer Fellabaum-Toston is an Associate Dean for Student Success & Academic Affairs in the College of Education & Human Development at the University of Missouri. She is also an Associate Teaching Professor of Higher Education. Dr. Fellabaum-Toston holds a BSS in professional leadership and a MEd in college student personnel from Ohio University. She completed her PhD with an emphasis in Higher and Continuing Education at the University of Missouri. Dr. Fellabaum-Toston’s research and teaching interests include identities in higher education, postsecondary teaching and learning, and the development of scholarly practitioners/practitioner-scholars.

David G. Imig Distinguished Service Award is presented in recognition of an individual who has demonstrated important contributions to the Mission of CPED and/or the reclaiming of the EdD as the highest quality professional practice doctorate in education.