LMU graduated another outstanding cohort of doctoral candidates on May 6. This is a group of professionals determined to make a difference in how children are educated. The 17 educators came to LMU’s School of Education from a variety of backgrounds: one is chief executive officer of a charter school network, one is director of state and federal projects for a local school district, others have founded nonprofits and teach and lead in public, Catholic and charter schools. What brought them together was the opportunity to put education ideals into action, to commit themselves to making PreK-12 instruction better for all children.
“This cohort really integrated the relationship between theory and practice,” said Shane P. Martin, dean and professor of the School of Education. “They took seriously the mission of social justice, and their dissertations reflect that. These individuals are truly the next generation of educational leaders for Los Angeles and beyond.”
LMU’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership for Social Justice is designed for superintendents, principals, policymakers, leaders of nonprofit organizations, community leaders and other education professionals. Candidates in the program begin their research on the first day and are encouraged to focus their studies on real-world issues facing schools and society. LMU has conferred 55 doctorates since 2005; 70 candidates are working toward their degrees.
