West Liberty, WV, October 25, 2023 – The first WLU Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) cohort was welcomed for an evening of socializing and a decadent dinner at President Dr. Tim Borcher’s home, Colonial Heights, on West Liberty’s campus Thursday, October 19th.
This celebratory dinner, held in honor of the cohort and to create impactful bonds, allowed diners to meet and engage with one another and to share their experiences thus far in the program. The first cohort is expected to graduate from the three-year, accelerated program in Spring 2026.
“Given this is an online program, this was an exceptional opportunity to build connections within the cohort. All West Liberty’s graduate programs offer a sense of community and belonging, which is something you cannot find at larger graduate schools, and the WLU Ed.D. program is no exception. We have been building the cohort’s relationships through several evening Zooms; however, when President Borchers and his wife, Dr. Susanne Williams, offered to host us, it really took this bond to the next level. It was an opportunity that I, and the rest of the cohort, felt was invaluable!” stated Dr. Richard L. Whitehead, Interim Chair of Graduate Teaching and Learning.
The EdD in Instructional Leadership, Management, and Innovation is a primarily online doctoral program, allowing students from across the country to work toward this prestigious, terminal degree. The current cohort encompasses students from the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia and as far south as North Carolina. There are also two built-in summer seminars where students will gain intensive knowledge of building their proposal, collecting meaningful data, and interpreting the results to make practical conclusions. “The main thing we want our students to know is that they are never alone in this process,” explained Dr. Whitehead.
Dr. Nicole Ennis, Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Performance noted, “This evening was just one of the opportunities we have planned to foster a sense of community and unwavering support for our EdD students. We believe in their immense potential to make a lasting impact in their respective fields of study. At WLU, every program we craft is with the paramount objectives of student guidance, instruction, and profound connection. We believe through these channels; we empower our students to embrace success and embark upon their transformative journey. We are dedicated to shaping the next generation of leaders, and our unwavering commitment to their growth and flourishing knows no bounds.”
“I am immensely proud of our students’ dedication and the foundation the faculty and administrators have built to support the students’ aspirations. The inaugural celebration is the beginning of a collaborative learning experience that transcends geographic boundaries. Our commitment to academic excellence, student guidance, and fostering a tight-knit community will be unwavering. We are excited to support the transformation of our Ed.D students into influential leaders in their respective fields.”, added interim provost Dr. Cathy Monteroso.
Dr. Whitehead anticipates a new, equally lively group to join the program for the May 2024 cohort. Applications are now being accepted and the priority deadline for the second cohort is January 1, 2024. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Richard Whitehead at richard.whitehead@westliberty.edu.
West Liberty University is West Virginia’s oldest public university, and it offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and 12 graduate programs, both online and on campus. Learn more at westliberty.edu. * This is West Liberty’s first doctoral program.