CMU Doctorate in Educational Leadership

09/09/2026

We have spent a good chunk of time expanding the Doctoral Dissertation Resource Shell in Blackboard. The biggest addition is a new chapter-by-chapter dissertation writing guide that walks students through every major dissertation component, from Chapter 1 through Chapter 5.

The shell also now includes written and video resources on every aspect of the dissertation chapters, from chapter components like literature reviews to methodology, links to policies and important forms, and resources on software, dissertation meetings, and everything in between. We've tried to make the shell comprehensive without being overwhelming.

To find the shell, search Blackboard for "Doctoral Dissertation Resource Shell." And if you are a current student and aren't in the shell, drop us a message on here and we'll add you.

If you're working on your dissertation, we highly recommend starring it so it shows up in your Blackboard favorites.

Even if you're not yet at the dissertation stage, the shell can be helpful for coursework, literature reviews, comprehensive exam preparation, methodology questions, and research design.

More resources will continue to trickle in, but most of the shell is now built and ready to use. Good luck, and happy writing!

09/08/2026

We spied one of our own in the latest issue of Centralight, CMU’s quarterly alumni publication 👀

Dr. Kechi Iheduru-Anderson, Ed.D. ’24, is featured in a story about the growing nursing program at CMU and her work to expand access to nursing education, particularly for students from rural communities.

Dr. Kechi serves as the director of CMU’s nursing program where she build pathways into a profession facing a significant shortage of nurses. We always appreciate seeing our Ed.D. grads doing great things, especially when that work helps more students access higher education and opens doors to meaningful careers.

https://issuu.com/cmuchippewas/docs/centralight_central_michigan_univer_23111be7cdc6a0 (see Kechi on pp. 28-29 or the attached screengrab!)

09/05/2026

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our current doctoral candidate, Kevin Polston (superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools) and now CHAIR of the Every Child Reads Champions Council.

Kevin was recently appointed the chair this important statewide committee by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Read more about it in the press release linked here. He will help lead a council charged with championing Michigan’s literacy agenda, bringing together leaders from education, business, philanthropy, government, and communities, and advising the state on how to strengthen literacy outcomes for Michigan students.

We are proud of the good work Kevin has already done as an educational leader, and we are just as excited to see the good work he will continue to do in this new role.

Congratulations, Kevin! We are proud to have you as part of the CMU doctoral community.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander.  She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator.  She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a ...

09/02/2026

The 2026 CMU Staff Excellence Award recipients were announced earlier today, and we are especially proud to see two current Ed.D. students, Rob Vandorin and Wade Tomson, among this year’s honorees!

Rob serves as Executive Director of Business and Community Outreach for CMU Online and Wade serves as the Senior Associate Director of Campus Visits and Events for Undergraduate Admissions.

The Staff Excellence Awards are the highest award given to CMU staff members, making this a particularly meaningful recognition. As the linked article states, this year had a record 117 nominations and 19 staff members selected for the award.

And there is another connection to our program: Dr. Jenny Laubenthal is also among this year's recipients. She teaches HED 611: Critical Approaches to Assessment in Higher Education, an elective course that many of our Ed.D. students take. We are delighted to see her excellent work recognized, too.

Rob, Wade, and Jenny will be honored at the Staff Excellence Awards ceremony on September 30 in the UC Rotunda. We'll try to circle back with some pictures from the celebration. But for now, join us in congratulating them.

09/01/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Craig Hadley (Cohort 27) for being named to the American Alliance of Museum's first Leadership Academy!

Click the link for more details…👇🏼

Have a career update, please let us know!

For Immediate Release New executive program equips museum leaders to navigate through change and shape the future of the field. Forty museum leaders selected for inaugural cohort in partnership wit…

08/26/2026

Check out your EDL and Higher Ed EdD faculty getting ready for the new academic year! We had a wonderful departmental retreat at nearby Bucks Run Golf Resort after our opening college-wide meeting.

And, as an added bonus: a StrengthsFinder facilitation by current doctoral student Vernique Jackson! 

If you are wondering about Dr. Jankens not being pictured, just know he is on sabbatical this semester (but still working with doctoral students).

Fall semester begins Monday!

08/24/2026

If you're a current doctoral student planning on defending your dissertation this academic year or seeking IRB approval, our friends in CMU Graduate Studies passed along a workshop invitation and some additional resources that you should know about.

📅 Fall Thesis/Dissertation Workshop: Friday, October 2, 2026, noon-1:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2594440463187?p=qftrJGi9YuJEbuaEMA

Here's a link to a previous dissertation workshop recording: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetingrecap

📄 Thesis & Dissertation Guidelines (just helpful info that's always linked on their site):https://www.cmich.edu/docs/default-source/academic-affairs-division/research-and-graduate-studies/graduate-studies/guidelinesd53989b8-59ba-4034-8be0-09b43f79c952.pdf

📄 Prospectus Guidelines:https://www.cmich.edu/docs/default-source/academic-affairs-division/research-and-graduate-studies/graduate-studies/2024-2025prospectusguidelines.pdf

🎥 Understanding the IRB Workshop Recording (very helpful if you're pursuing IRB approval this year): https://centralmichigan-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/janke1bp_cmich_edu/IQBg5Rb_Fhi2T5x2EKwNhYlOAdpXsFloAwn-Uz-oWvCM91U

08/20/2026

Congratulations Dr. Amy McGinnis (EdD Cohort 11) for this special alumni recognition from Alma College! Click link for full details! 👇🏼

If you have wonderful news to share, let us know!

https://www.alma.edu/news/2026-tartan-award-recipients/

08/17/2026

Let’s hear it for Dr. Greg Foster (EdD Cohort 27), who humbly received Davenport University's 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award! 👏🏻👏🏻

“The Excellence in Teaching Award at Davenport University celebrates faculty who possess exceptional dedication to mentoring and engaging students, demonstrate mastery of effective learning delivery methods, and are recognized experts in their fields.”

Bravo, Dr. Foster!!

08/13/2026

It was a special day in late July as we welcomed Cohort 31 to campus and Cohort 30 back to campus. We also inducted Dr. Foley and Dr. Lubig into the Doctorate of Education Hall of Fame! Congrats to you both and to our cohorts! Click here for the story: 👇🏼

https://www.cmich.edu/news/details/two-alumni-inducted-2026-doctorate-of-education-hall-of-fame