UNCW’s Watson College of Education has introduced a new specialization in the doctoral program in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on Community College Leadership. The program is designed to prepare leaders for North Carolina’s 58 community colleges.
“We are excited to offer a new Ed.D. specialization in community college leadership,” said Carol McNulty, Interim Dean of UNCW’s Watson College of Education. “This program builds on UNCW’s strong partnerships with community colleges in our state, Watson’s successful doctoral program in Educational Leadership and UNCW/3C, a WCE-led university-community college collaborative introduced in 2019.”
The new specialization is designed to prepare scholar-practitioners in the field of higher education and student affairs administration, with a particular focus on community college environments. The specialization will provide an in-depth study of the organization, administration, staffing, funding and student experience at North Carolina’s two-year postsecondary institutions.
“North Carolina has the third largest community college system in the country and these colleges serve a diverse population of students,” said Denise Henning, director of UNCW/3C. “Forty percent of first time undergraduates begin postsecondary studies in community colleges. The organizations also serve individuals pursing a certificate, diploma or associate curriculum to gain technical or workforce development skills at any stage of their career.”
“The Watson College has a very strong doctoral specialization in higher education, but study surveys conducted amongst administration and faculty at the 58 community colleges in the state indicate a market need for a program tailored to the community college segment,” said Symphony Oxendine, coordinator of WCE’s Ed.D. program. “We are excited to offer a robust program that recognizes the unique opportunities and challenges our community college partners face as they seek to create career pathways for diverse learners.”
UNCW introduced the doctoral program in Educational Leadership and Administration in 2007 to meet a need for leaders at K-12 schools and districts ahead of the anticipated retirement of principals and school superintendents across the state. Since then, specializations have been added in the areas of curriculum & instruction and higher education. Now, more than 160 UNCW Ed.D. alumni are making an impact in educational leadership roles in schools, colleges and universities, and government agencies across the state and the nation.
The new doctoral specialization in community college leadership also builds on the success of UNCW/3C and Watson’s graduate-level Community College Leadership Certificate program, both introduced in 2019.
UNCW/3C was created in partnership with community colleges in Eastern North Carolina. The goal of the initiative is to grow the next generation of community college leaders through collaborative partnerships, professional development and new graduate programs for aspiring community college leaders.
Over the past four years, 43 students have earned a post-baccalaureate certificate in Community College Leadership from UNCW. In addition, UNCW/3C has offered an annual conference for community college leaders statewide and Aspiring Leader Summits in partnership with nine community colleges. The organization also provides support for UNCW’s Community College Undergraduate Research (CCURE) initiative.
“The Watson College highly values the collaborative partnerships we have built with North Carolina’s community college leaders,” Oxendine said. “We look forward to welcoming the first cohort of students to this new specialization in the fall.”
Applications for the new specialization in community college leadership are open and classes begin in fall 2024. For more information, please visit the website or contact Doctoral Coordinator Dr. Symphony Oxendine at oxendines@uncw.edu.
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