November 5, 2025
Southern Arkansas University (SAU) proudly presents the 2025 Cohort into the Doctor of Education in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership Program. The current cohort includes 52 students who showcase a geographically diverse group primarily based in Arkansas, with additional representation from Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, and Illinois. Their locations span urban centers like Little Rock and North Little Rock, as well as rural and suburban communities such as Lexa, Camden, Magnolia, and Helena, highlighting a broad spectrum of backgrounds.
The students bring a wealth of professional experience across multiple roles in education and leadership. Positions include principals, assistant principals, directors of student services, instructional facilitators, counselors, teachers, and coordinators. Several students hold advanced administrative roles such as district superintendents, college directors, and program coordinators, while others contribute as specialized educators in areas like ESL, speech-language pathology, special education, and literacy coaching.
The introduction of the Ed.D. degree at Southern Arkansas University has brought with it a new and meaningful distinction within the SAU community. Students who have completed all three of their higher education degrees—bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate—at SAU are now recognized as Legacy Scholars, a title that honors their enduring commitment to the institution and to academic excellence.
Interactive map of the first five doctoral cohorts at SAU. The 2025 cohort is in red.
Twenty-two percent of Cohort 5 is eligible for this prestigious designation. Among them are Stephanie Manning, a Magnolia native and Director of TRIO Student Support Services, and Stacy Allen, who serves as a math instructor and STEM Associate for the College of Science and Engineering at SAU, who has been a familiar face on campus for years. Also being recognized as a Legacy Scholar is Kelly Parson of Camden, who works as a Literacy Coach with the Arkansas Department of Education, supporting teachers and shaping literacy practices across the state.
The group also includes Gray Haynes, an English teacher and coach from Emerson working with Webster Parish Schools, and T.J. Hill, the principal of Woodlawn High School in Rison, Arkansas, who hails from Warren. Ashlie Odom, based in El Dorado, serves as the Director of the Teacher Induction Program for the El Dorado School District. Also among the future Legacy Scholars are Zeb Prothro, Virginia Harman, and Skye Ruffins. Rounding out the group is Sydney Russell of Texarkana, a Special Education Teacher at Parks Elementary, whose work makes a daily impact in the lives of her students.
“I selected the Ed.D. in Rural & Diverse Educational Leadership at SAU because it supports my passion for serving as a resource and advocate for underrepresented students and aligns with my commitment to improving retention, literacy, and academic success in rural communities.”
Director of TRIO Student Support Services
Southern Arkansas University
T.J. Hill, “SAU’s leadership program will help me develop skills that will directly apply to the community and allow me to collaborate with professionals from a multitude of backgrounds and experiences.”
Ashley Odom, “SAU was the obvious choice for me for two reasons: the quality of professors that I would get to learn from and the ability to focus on leadership in rural schools, which is where I have worked my entire career.”
PrincipalWoodlawn High School
Director of Teacher InductionEl Dorado School District
The Higher Education Leadership group includes both established and emerging leaders, such as Virginia Harman of Granby, Colorado, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Parks Electric, where she leads with an eye on the state of the electric industry and a deep commitment to positive community impact. “I love to learn and was looking for a new educational challenge; after earning both my undergraduate (2002) and graduate (2022) degrees from SAU, I didn’t even consider another university for my doctorate studies!”
Von Daniels, from Helena, Arkansas, serves as the Director of Student Support Services at Phillips Community College, University of Arkansas at Helena. In this role, Daniels is dedicated to supporting student success and fostering academic achievement within the local community. “I wanted a program that would not only challenge me to grow but also align with my passion for serving and engaging with rural communities.”
Lisbeth Bello, of Hope, Arkansas, serves as a TRIO Talent Search Student Development Specialist at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she is dedicated to supporting first-generation and underserved students in achieving their educational goals through mentorship, academic guidance, and college readiness initiatives. “I chose the Ed.D. in Rural & Diverse Educational Leadership at SAU because it aligns with my passion for higher education and empowers me to serve my community by advancing leadership and opportunities for diverse student populations.”
Chief Executive Officer Mountain Parks Electric
Director of Student Support ServicesPhillips Community College
TRIO Talent Search SpecialistUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock
K-12 Teachers and Specialist such as Alison Wirth, a special education teacher from Paris Union District Number 95 located in Paris, Illinois, are excited to get started in the program and appreciate the 100% online nature of the program. “I selected the SAU EdD program in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership because it gives me the opportunity to learn and collaborate with teachers and leaders working in communities similar to my own.”
“I selected the SAU EdD program in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership because it gives me the opportunity to learn and collaborate with teachers and leaders working in communities similar to my own.”
Special Education TeacherIllinois
Additionally, Haydn Knight, a math teacher and emerging instructional leader at Zwolle High School in Sabine Parish, is excited to begin this new chapter in his academic and professional development. He looks forward to gaining the skills and knowledge needed to grow as an educator and leader. “I knew the Ed.D. program at SAU was the right fit for me, given my background in rural education and wanting to give back to communities just like mine through evidence-based leadership practices and skills.”
Math TeacherZwolle High School
“I knew the Ed.D. program at SAU was the right fit for me, given my background in rural education and wanting to give back to communities just like mine through evidence-based leadership practices and skills.”
K–12 administrators are stepping forward, ready to grow as leaders in rural communities. Among them is Zeb Prothro, Superintendent of Beebe School District and a 2025 SAU Hall of Fame Inductee. With a solid background in education and leadership, Prothro brings valuable experience, insight, and enthusiasm to the cohort. “I chose the Ed.D. in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership at SAU because throughout my undergraduate, graduate, and now doctoral journey, the faculty have been personal and supportive, the resources excellent, and the campus has always felt like home.”
“I chose the Ed.D. in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership at SAU because throughout my undergraduate, graduate, and now doctoral journey, the faculty have been personal and supportive, the resources excellent, and the campus has always felt like home.”
SuperintendentBeebe School District
The cohort’s blend of diverse geographical backgrounds, extensive practical experience, and leadership positions indicates a strong potential for success in the doctoral program. These students are well-prepared to leverage their skills and knowledge to advance educational leadership practices, drive systemic improvements, and contribute meaningfully to the future of education.
SAU began offering courses toward the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership in the fall of 2021. The first doctoral degrees were awarded in May 2025, marking a significant milestone for the program. To learn more about the Ed.D. at SAU, visit https://www.saumag.edu/edd.
Program Contact
- Dr. Clinton Petty
-
Associate Professor of Doctoral Studies/Director of Ed.D. & Chair – Department of Doctoral Studiescspetty@saumag.edu
