WMU K12 Educational Leadership

04/08/2026

In our K-12 Educational Leadership program, we strive to make learning relevant and directly connected to the work our students will do in the field. Here is one great example of the meaningful work happening in our program:

Under the instruction of Dr. Brett Geier in EDLD 6620: School Business Management, students learn how to research, write, and submit grant proposals—an essential leadership skill for securing resources that directly support students and schools.

This assignment is especially impactful because it moves beyond theory and provides authentic, real-world experience. Over time, students in the course have helped secure approximately $25,000 in awarded grants.

Pictured is one of our students, Lisa Phillips, who recently received a $5,000 grant to support a literacy initiative in Cassopolis Public Schools.

It’s exciting to see course learning translate into real outcomes and future school leaders grow in confidence through work that truly matters.

03/25/2026

Great schools start with great leaders 🏫✨

This Giving Day, support students in our K-12 Leadership program and the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology. We support future principals and school leaders who are gaining the skills and experience to guide schools and inspire communities. Your gift provides scholarships that make their leadership journey possible.

Invest in the educators shaping the future of K-12 education. Give: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/74211/donations/new?tc=94769

03/21/2026

Summer I EDLD Courses Are Open — Please Register Soon!

A friendly reminder to our students: we need at least 10 students enrolled for a course section to run. Please be sure to sign up by the first week of April, as that is when we will be notified if any section will not run.

If one of these courses is part of your plan of study, now is the time to register!

Summer I 2026 EDLD Course Offerings

Building Level Courses
EDLD 6020 – Educational Leadership, Systems and Change
Asynchronous Online
Instructor: Dr. Wanda Hadley

EDLD 6610 – School Law & Ethics
Partially Synchronous Online
Instructor: Dr. Brett Geier

EDLD 6640 – Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Leadership
Partially Synchronous Online
Instructor: Dr. Wayne Stitt

EDLD 6740 – School Community Relations & Cultural Competence
Partially Synchronous Online
Instructor: Dr. Brett Geier

EDLD 6794 – Principal Internship II
Partially Synchronous Online
Instructor: Dr. Wayne Stitt

Central Office Courses
EDLD 6810 – District Policy, Equity & Ethics
Partially Synchronous Online
Instructor: Dr. LaSonja Roberts

EDLD 6650 – Principles & Practice of Adult Learning
Asynchronous Online
Instructor: Dr. Wanda Hadley

✅ Please register by the first week of April to help ensure your needed courses run as scheduled.

If you have questions about course planning, please reach out. We want to help you stay on track for Summer I!

03/21/2026

The WMU College of Education was proud to host a Leadership Session for school leaders during the MASA Region VII monthly meeting on March 19, 2026.

The session, “Leading the Science of Reading & Michigan’s New Literacy Dyslexia Law,” brought together approximately 40 school leaders along with several students from our program for an engaging and timely professional learning experience at the WMU Student Center on Western Michigan University’s main campus.

We were honored to welcome Dr. Kim St. Martin, Assistant Director of the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center, as our featured presenter. Dr. St. Martin shared valuable insights on scaling evidence-based literacy systems and helping districts prepare for implementation of Michigan’s new literacy and dyslexia law.

Thank you to all of the educational leaders and students who participated in this important conversation about literacy leadership, compliance, and improving outcomes for all learners.

03/20/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Nkenge A. Bergan on a successful dissertation defense! 🎉

Her dissertation, Place-Based Scholarship Utilization and Urban Black Males, reflects important and meaningful scholarship that contributes to our understanding of educational access, opportunity, and student success.

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Bergan on this incredible accomplishment and the dedication, perseverance, and excellence it took to reach this milestone. Wishing her continued success as she makes an impact through her research and leadership!

03/20/2026

Giving Day at Western Michigan University! 💛🤎

At WMU K-12 Educational Leadership, we are proud to prepare and support the future teachers, school leaders, and educational professionals who will make a lasting impact in our schools and communities.

As a proud alumna/us of WMU, having earned both my Master’s and Ph.D. here, I know firsthand the incredible opportunities this institution provides. It is now an honor to give back by teaching and serving at my alma mater.

We invite our alumni, students, colleagues, friends, and community members to consider making a gift of any amount today. Your support helps us continue developing the next generation of educators and leaders.

Thank you for investing in WMU and in the future of education!

Dr. Stitt

Join me and make a gift to Western Michigan on Giving Day!

03/13/2026

Leadership in Action: A WMU Leadership Brief. This is designed to connect educational leadership research with practical strategies for principals, superintendents, and aspiring school leaders.

The first blog explores an essential topic for effective leadership: Relational Leadership in Schools.

Research consistently shows that schools with strong relationships among teachers, administrators, students, and families are more likely to experience sustained improvement. Yet building relational trust requires intentional leadership practices.

In this brief the discussion focuses on the following:
✔ Why relational leadership matters for school improvement
✔ How trust influences teacher retention and school climate
✔ Practical strategies leaders can implement immediately

Leadership ultimately comes down to people. When educators feel supported, heard, and connected to a shared mission, schools thrive. Go Broncos!

03/02/2026

Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Geier, we started another cohort of future school administrators in Calhoun County. We look forward to working with this group as they grow in their leadership capacity, strengthen their instructional practices, and build the skills needed to support students, staff, and families. This cohort represents a strong commitment to developing thoughtful, equity-focused leaders who will make a lasting impact in their schools and communities. We are excited to partner with them throughout their journey and support their continued professional growth. We thank Calhoun ISD and the district that they serve in putting this cohort together.

02/26/2026

01/23/2026

Dr. Stitt was excited to present at the MASA State Conference alongside Dr. Kim Carter, part-time instructor with WMU and Michigan Superintendent of the Year!

Our session highlighted the powerful partnership between Western Michigan University and Battle Creek Public Schools focused on a Grow Your Own leadership model. Together, we shared how districts and universities can intentionally cultivate leadership from within—building capacity, advancing equity, and strengthening the future of public education.

“Growing Leaders, Transforming Futures:
Cultivating Leadership from Within
A District–University Partnership Model for Equity-Driven Leadership WMU College of Education and Human Development

This work reinforces our belief that the most sustainable leadership pipelines are rooted in people, partnerships, and purpose. Grateful for the collaboration and the opportunity to work with Dr. Carter on this initiative.

We also want to once again congratulate Dr. Carter for being honored as the Michigan Superintendent of the Year. This well-deserved honor reflects her visionary leadership, deep commitment to students and communities, and her unwavering focus on equity, excellence, and developing leaders at all levels. Michigan is better because of her leadership, and we are proud to partner and learn alongside her.

01/21/2026

This morning we hosted the K-12 advisory committee meeting. As a program we strive to make the program relevant and meaningful to the field and what better way than to listen and learn from our k-12 leaders. Thank you to those that were able to beat the weather to attend our convening.