October 18, 2024
Southern Arkansas University is excited to welcome the 2024 Cohort into the Doctor of Education in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership program. This year’s cohort consists of 38 diverse professionals who bring a wealth of experience across K-12 education, higher education, and specialized organization and community leadership roles. Students represent not only Arkansas but six other states, with 30% coming from outside the state lines. These states include Alaska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia.
The 2024 cohort includes a wide array of educational professionals, including higher education administrators, K-12 principals, assistant superintendents, instructional specialists, and faculty members. Each student brings unique expertise to the program, reflecting a shared commitment to transforming education in rural and diverse communities.
The Higher Education leadership group features prominent and aspiring leaders, such as Emily Swain, Dean of Middle College at Fairmont State University in West Virginia. Swain is at the forefront of launching a first-of-its-kind program aimed at helping foster youth in West Virginia earn their high school diploma and an associate degree. “Through the Ed.D. at SAU, I will be better positioned to take on the complex policy and social issues surrounding this particularly vulnerable population and lead transformational change,” she shares.
“Through the Ed.D. at SAU, I will be better positioned to take on the complex policy and social issues surrounding this particularly vulnerable population and lead transformational change.”
Dean, Middle College
Fairmont State University
Interactive map of the first three doctoral cohorts at SAU
Erika Buenrrostro, Director of Student Success and Enrichment at the University of Arkansas at Cossatot, also chose SAU for its flexibility and focus on community leadership. “The program’s flexibility allows me to maintain my full-time role while continuing my education, and its emphasis on leadership in rural and diverse communities aligns perfectly with my goals.”
Stephen Williams, Director of Admissions and Student Relations for the College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, values the collaborative nature of the cohort model at SAU. “The cohort learning model emphasizes collaboration, which aligns with my philosophy of leadership—using inclusive dialogue and collective action to create lasting change in education,” Williams says.
Within K-12 Administration, individuals like Aaron Randolph, Assistant Superintendent of Cabot Public Schools, are focused on advancing leadership in rural settings. Randolph believes, “SAU’s Ed.D. program will further develop my leadership skills and professional connections, allowing me to be a more effective leader for rural and diverse learners.”
Director of Student Success and Enrichment University of Arkansas at Cossatot
Director of Admissions and Student Relations, College of Public HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Assistant SuperintendentCabot Public Schools
Similarly, Tye Bibby, Concurrent Campus Principal for Virtual Arkansas, is excited about the program’s potential to help her enhance educational access. “Through the Ed.D. program at SAU, I am confident I will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a more transformative leader, ensuring equitable success for all students, regardless of their context.”
In the K-12 Teachers and Specialists category, Jessica Hughes, K12 District Math Instructional Facilitator at Lamar School District, returns to SAU for her doctoral journey after completing her master’s degree with the university. “SAU has always made me feel valued as an individual,” Hughes recalls. “My professors were always accessible, and the support I received made my decision to return for my Ed.D. an easy one.”
Concurrent Campus PrincipalVirtual Arkansas
K12 District Math Instructional FacilitatorLamar School District
Chance D. Williams, who teaches 7th and 8th grade Language Arts and AP Language and Composition at Buffalo Island Central School District, also chose SAU for its reputation and past experiences. “I know I will be challenged and pushed to become the best educational leader I can be. The program’s focus on rural and diverse education will provide me with the tools to be an effective teacher leader and administrator,” Williams says.
“I know I will be challenged and pushed to become the best educational leader I can be. The program’s focus on rural and diverse education will provide me with the tools to be an effective teacher leader and administrator.”
English and Language Arts TeacherBuffalo Island Central School Distrct
Many students in the cohort hold specialized roles within various other organization types yet remain deeply committed to serving rural and diverse populations. Eddy Lemm, Program Advisor for the Arkansas Office of Adult Education, is a prime example of this dedication. In his specialized role, Lemm helps adult learners navigate their educational journeys, and he sees SAU as the key to advancing his ability to serve. “The small cohort allows for a deeper connection with both instructors and fellow students who share my passion. This will be a life-changing experience for me and those I serve,” Lemm explains. Despite working within a unique organizational context, Lemm and others like him are united by their desire to lead transformational change in rural communities.
Program Advisor
Arkansas Office of Adult Education
“The small cohort allows for a deeper connection with both instructors and fellow students who share my passion. This will be a life-changing experience for me and those I serve.”
Additionally, the cohort includes individuals who have earned notable honors in their respective fields, demonstrating excellence in leadership and service. These students, whether military veterans awarded for leadership, athletic directors driving school programs, or experts in specialized fields, bring valuable perspectives to the cohort, further enriching the collaborative environment at SAU.
From higher education administrators to classroom teachers and specialists, this cohort is poised to bring about meaningful change. United by a passion for improving education across rural and diverse settings, the 2024 cohort stands ready to lead the future of educational leadership.
SAU began offering courses toward the Doctoral of Education in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership in the fall of 2021. The first doctoral degrees are expected to be awarded in late 2024 or early 2025. To learn more about the Ed.D. at SAU visit https://www.saumag.edu/edd.
Program Contact
Angela Stanford, Ed.D., NBCT
Director, Ed.D. in Rural & Diverse Educational Leadership
