Online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Higher Education

The Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Higher Education prepares the next generation of leaders for the constantly evolving field of postsecondary education. Program Director Tom Sechrest explains how this St. Edward’s University program uniquely prepares graduates for future success and impact.

Learning Goals:

Upon completion of the online Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Higher Education program, you’ll be able to:

• Critically examine innovative ways to lead within the context of post-secondary education
• Use data analytics in a leadership capacity to inform the resolution of complex issues facing organizations
• Demonstrate capacity to lead complex adaptive systems in a constantly changing world
• Provide theoretically informed recommendations for complex organizational issues through the lens of social justice
• Develop strategies that address real-world issues through practice-based research
• Demonstrate both oral and written communication skills sufficient to be recognized as a competent leader in organizations

Career Outcomes: 

The career outlook for postsecondary education administrators is strong, with a national median salary of $115,180 (BLS, 2024). 

The EdD degree allows higher education administrators, change management experts, training professionals, nonprofit executives, and all those who straddle the worlds of teaching and training to specialize in Leadership and Higher Education to broaden their knowledge, increase the scope of their skills, and expand their professional network.

The online Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Higher Education is a 60-credit hour program designed to be completed in 39 months while taking two accelerated courses per semester. Courses are offered in a 7-week accelerated online format, with two 7-week terms roughly equaling the length of a traditional semester. This allows students to focus deeply on content while only taking one course at a time. Students can start their studies in the fall or spring semesters.

Curriculum and Concentrations

The program curriculum includes 8 core courses (24 credit hours), 7 research courses (21 credit hours) and 5 concentration courses (15 credit hours). Students select one of two concentrations: 

• Higher Education, for those interested in leading at institutions of higher education
• Organizational Leadership and Change, for those interested in leading in non-institutional contexts. 

Concentrations allow students to target their attention to the distinctive requirements of 21st-century educational issues in those environments. 

Dissertation Research

Students complete a culminating research project involving an issue of practice in their area of interest, written up in a dissertation. The research courses that support the refinement of practice-based research skills allow students to complete their dissertation research while taking coursework, a unique aspect of this EdD curriculum.

Core Courses

• Leadership in the 21st Century: Current Trends, Emerging Possibilities
• Demystifying Doctoral Research and Writing
• Introduction to Digital Learning Environments
• Discerning the Past and Leading the Future of Education
• Ethical Decision-making: Global Issues, Frameworks and Approaches
• Managing Resources: Economic and Financial Issues
• Socially-Conscious Leadership
• Predictive Analytics in Higher Education and Leadership

Research Courses

• Research Methods I: Introduction to Practice-based Research
• Research Methods II: Literature Review
• Research Methods III: Introduction to Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Research
• Research Methods IV: Introduction to Analysis and Interpretation
• Dissertation Writing Seminar I: Final Methodology Overview
• Dissertation Writing Seminar II: Crafting the Analysis, Interpretation, and Findings
• Dissertation Research: Final Defense

Higher Education Concentration Courses

• Design Thinking: Creativity and Innovation 
• Leading Strategically in Higher Education
• Systemic Inquiry: Leading in Crisis and Complexity
• The Legal, Ethical and Moral Responsibilities of Higher Education Institutions
• Conflict Analysis and Resolution
• Special Topics (when need or opportunity arises)

Organizational Leadership and Change Concentration Courses

• Design Thinking: Creativity and Innovation
• Principles and Practices of Organizational Change
• Systemic Inquiry: Leading in Crisis and Complexity
• Mentoring and Coaching for Leadership Success
• Conflict Analysis and Resolution
• Special Topics (when need or opportunity arises)

For detailed degree requirements and course descriptions, please see the Graduate Bulletin or request more information.

Tom Sechrest, PhD

Program Director, Doctorate of Education in Leadership in Higher Education

Program Director, Master of Science in Organizational Leadership 

Tom Sechrest has had a long career in leadership development as an entrepreneur, in the public sector, the private sector, the nonprofit sector, and higher education. Sechrest started his career as an entrepreneur in educational and industrial television, creating training films, documentaries, commercials, and music videos for Don Kirshner’s Rock Concerts. 

Sechrest went on to serve as a television producer for the U.S. Department of Labor and led a national leadership development project there. He worked in corporate leadership and succession planning for AMD, then served as faculty chair for Leadership Austin before joining the faculty at St. Edward’s. 

Sechrest brings a depth of experience, connections both locally and globally, and ties to many professional organizations, including the International Leadership Association, the Academy for Human Resource Development, the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, and the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Catherine Campbell, PhD

Dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences. 

Catherine Campbell has been at St. Edward’s University since July 2020. Her doctorate is in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas. She has extensive experience with graduate programs and student research. Her areas of interest include education access, student success, service delivery and wellness.

Clay Avery, JD 

Clay Avery is licensed to practice law in Texas but believes in focusing on using mediation as a primary means of conflict resolution. With hundreds of hours of mediation experience, Avery is a strong believer in the Community-Based approach to collaborative problem-solving. He is an active volunteer mediator at the Austin Dispute Resolution Center in addition to coaching future mediators during the center’s 40-hour basic mediator trainings.

In 2018, Avery helped implement the first online dispute resolution system used in a Travis County court. He holds a “Credentialed Mediator” designation from the Texas Mediators Credentialing Association. A member of the Texas Association of Mediators and the Austin Mediators Association, Avery currently serves on the AMA Board as its treasurer. He is also a member of the State Bar of Texas and its Alternative Dispute Resolution section. He holds a BBA from Texas Christian University and a JD from The University of Texas School of Law. 

Lance Bennett, EdD

Lance Bennett is the director of Core Curriculum Assessment and Decision Support at The University of Texas at Dallas, where he uses data analytics to advise campus leaders on change strategy for the university. His work includes identifying areas of opportunity and paths to achieving optimal solutions to the university's most pressing challenges. 

Bennett served as a Visiting Scholar at the Rutgers School of Education and was recently appointed to the editorial advisory board for Liberal Education Magazine, a publication of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. Bennett is a graduate of the EdD program at St. Edward’s, where he was the first doctoral student to defend his dissertation in the program’s history.

Rebecca Frost Davis, PhD

Associate Vice President for Digital Learning at St. Edward’s University

Rebecca Frost Davis’ work focuses on the intersections of digital pedagogy and liberal education. During her career, she has developed programs and researched the digital humanities, digital scholarship, and the integration of inquiry, pedagogy, and technology for teaching and learning across the humanities. She also writes and consults in these areas, drawing on a deep background in helping faculty and staff at liberal arts colleges explore these areas via a variety of workshops and seminars. 

Frost Davis has particular expertise in intercampus teaching and virtual collaboration. She holds a PhD and MA in classical studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA (summa cum laude) in classical studies and Russian from Vanderbilt University.

Sara Gibson, PhD 

Sara Gibson specialized in the tax and accounting aspects of retirement plans and worked in several venues such as bank trust departments and accounting firms, including eight years with Ernst & Young. She completed her PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University in 2011. Her dissertation research focused on the psychology of adult learners and a group process known as Action Learning. 

Gibson has taught a number of university-level courses over the last several years, including Career Development, Principles of Ethics, Human Resources Management, Building Ethical Organizations, Critical Thinking, Design and Delivery of Training, Strategic Planning, Adult Development, Organizational Communication, Global Ethics and Responsibility, Leadership and Team Development, and Creativity and Innovation.

Bill Gardner, MBA

Bill Gardner is managing partner of Noetic Outcomes Consulting, LLC. He served as an organization development specialist for Austin Energy and then for Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. before spending eighteen years as director of Global Organization & Leadership Development for AMD.

Gardner serves as an executive leadership coach for Mariposa Leadership, Inc., as well as senior facilitator and leadership coach for Bluepoint Leadership Development. His work focuses on providing development consulting at the individual (coaching), group (team analysis and development), and organizational (OD interventions) levels to ensure growth and development that leads to solid, measurable business outcomes. He completed his MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi and all but his dissertation in the doctoral program in Human Resource Development Leadership at The University of Texas at Austin.

Mary Edna González, PhD

Mary Edna González has dedicated her life to promoting social change through her community engagement, professional experiences and academic background. Over the past decade, González has helped classrooms, organizations and companies embrace and understand how to strategically support transformative change. She received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin, her master’s degree from St. Edward's University, and her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction- Cultural Studies in Education at The University of Texas at Austin.

Previously, González has worked at the National Hispanic Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, and as the Assistant Dean for Student Multicultural Affairs at Southwestern University. Most recently, González was the assistant director for the Partnership for the Future of Learning at the National Public Education Support Fund. Currently, she is the executive director for the Mexican American School Board Association, as well as the founder and managing partner at Izel Consulting. 

Most recently, González was awarded the “Champion for Children” title by the Equity Center, a Texas-based nonprofit organization that strives to create a more equitable public school finance system, as well as the “Leadership Award” by Equality Texas for her leadership advocating for LGBTQ equality. In 2015, she was the youngest inductee into the El Paso Women’s Hall of Fame

In her individual capacity as a Texas resident, González serves in the Texas House of Representatives as State Representative for House District 75 (El Paso County). She serves as the vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, as well as on the Public Education Committee in the Texas House. She is currently serving her second term as vice chair for the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, and the chair of the new Texas House LGBTQ Caucus. Nationally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, and as co-chair for the Board of Latino Legislative Leaders.

Hunter Keeney, EdD

Visiting Assistant Professor and Dissertation Facilitator at St. Edward’s University

In addition to teaching research methods courses and writing seminars, Hunter Keeney’s role is heavily focused on directly advising and assisting doctoral candidates throughout the dissertation process. Keeney has taught science and education courses in higher education for more than 10 years. His research interests center around online learning environments, active learning, critical and contemplative pedagogies, and issues surrounding social equity in education.

Lisa Kirkpatrick, PhD

Vice President for Student Affairs at St. Edward’s University. 

Lisa Kirkpatrick reports to the university president and serves on the president’s cabinet while providing supervision to the associate vice president and director for Athletics, associate vice president for Student Affairs, directors of Residential Education and Housing, director of the Health & Counseling Center, and dean of Students. Additional areas in her portfolio include Student Activities, Student Transitions and Family Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion, and Recreation and Wellness. She has served in the associate vice president and vice president roles since 2008, as dean of students since 1998, and continues to serve as Title IX Coordinator since 2012.

Leslie Loughmiller, EdD

Department Chair and Associate Professor of Education, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences at St. Edward’s University

Leslie Loughmiller holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree in Special Education Diagnostician from Texas State University, and a doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University of Florida.

Loughmiller has been an educator for over 25 years in the areas of special education, elementary education, early childhood, elementary curriculum development, higher education leadership and adult education. Her time and service in higher education has been spent teaching and mentoring pre-service teachers and graduate students as well as developing programs and courses for university programs.

In addition, Leslie provides service to her profession as one of the members of the editorial review board for a researched-based journal in special education, the Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, serves on Pre-K–12 education and educational leadership research dissertation committees and has served on the school board for many years for a private school for special needs adolescents in the Austin area.

George E. Martin, PhD

President Emeritus, St. Edward’s University

George E. Martin was president of St. Edward’s University from 1999 to 2021. During this time, full-time undergraduate enrollment doubled, the university’s graduation rate improved by more than 60%, and the university was ranked 8th in the West by U.S. News & World Report. The university campus was transformed with the construction or total renovation of 27 buildings, the planting of more than 1,000 trees, and the creation of the university commons. 

Donors responded to the university’s vision by investing more than $200 million in St. Edward’s, helping the university to more than triple its endowment. St. Edward’s was transformed into a global campus, with an international student population that tripled in size and a network of 19 partner universities in Asia, Europe, South America and Australia. 

Remaining true to its Holy Cross mission, the university founded the Holy Cross Institute and expanded its financial support of low-income students and students of color by reinforcing its commitment to the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and creating its own McNair Scholars Program. Acknowledging the quality of a St. Edward’s diploma, the 77 Fulbright awards won since 2010, and 90 Gilman Scholarships won since 2001, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, on October 27, 2021, recognized St. Edward's with two awards, first as one of only 35 national Fulbright HIS Leaders, and second as a Top Producing Institution in the 20-year history of the Gilman Scholarship program.

Martin is a leader in American higher education. Currently, he serves on the boards of St. Peter’s University and Notre Dame of Maryland University. He chaired the boards of the Council of Independent Colleges, the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT), the Texas Campus Compact, and the Heartland Athletic Conference. He was a member of the ACCU Hispanic Initiative Taskforce and Working Group, and the TIAA Diversity Council. He has served on the boards of the American Council on Education (ACE), the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU), the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), the New American Colleges and Universities (NACU), the Lone Star Conference, the Campus to Community Coalition of Texas (C3), St. Mary’s College (South Bend, Indiana), and the Wye Faculty Governing Board. 

Martin also chaired the Reauthorization Task Force on Student Financial Aid for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), and was a member of the National Science Foundation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Advisory Committee of the Directorate for Education and Human Resources, the American Council of Education (ACE) Commission on Higher Education Attainment, and the American Council of Education (ACE) Commission on Effective Leadership.

Martin is equally dedicated to community development and the arts in Austin. He was a member of the Austin Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequities, the Ballet Austin Board, the Austin Symphony Honorary Advisory Council, the Caritas Community Advisory Board, the Austin Area Research Organization (AARO), and has served on the United Way Board and the Austin Public Library Foundation Advisory Board.

Martin has over 50 years of experience in higher education. Earlier in his career, Martin was a professor of Political Science and served as a department chair, dean and academic vice president.

John McCall, MBA

John McCall is the associate vice president for Finance and Controller for Texas A&M University and is responsible for leading and directing accounting and financial services. He has placed particular emphasis on identifying, analyzing, and leading key accounting and financial initiatives, operational controls, and accountability measures. In addition, he has established a vision to be a model for accounting and financial services through continuous process improvement, efficiency initiatives, and a culture of collaborative teamwork and delivering results.

John is a native Texan, a graduate of The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, and holds an MBA from The University of Texas at Dallas.

Ted Middelberg, EdD, MBA

Ted Middelberg has over 30 years of business experience, including executive-level positions, along with 15 years of experience developing leaders and teams. He adapts to the needs and issues of each client by using systems-level thinking and attuned interpersonal skills. He has a track record of bringing out the best in individual leaders, teams and organizations.

Middelberg has worked with a distinguished list of executive clients, at firms such as AT&T and ExxonMobil, and across a wide range of industries. He also works with aspiring executives. While at IBM, he created the widely acclaimed Global Executive Program that enabled great senior managers to become successful executives. 

Middelberg has a BA in Economics from Brown University and an MBA in Finance from The Ohio State University. By the time he reached the VP of Finance level, he came to appreciate his passion for developing leaders and retooled by obtaining a doctorate in Human Resource Development Leadership at The University of Texas at Austin. He is a Certified Executive Coach.

Middelberg has served on the Board of Directors for a number of professional and nonprofit organizations. He stays fresh through active membership in professional organizations, by serving as the master coach to other executive coaches, and by guiding aspiring leaders as an adjunct professor at St. Edward’s University. 

Shelbee Nguyen Voges, PhD

Associate Professor of Education, School of Human Development and Education
Shelbee Nguyen Voges is director of the Master of Arts in Educational Innovations program. Voges has more than 10 years of teaching experience in adult and higher education contexts. Her research explores the practice of adult learning theory targeting experiential learning, narrative, critical reflection and sociocultural influences on study abroad participation.

Kris Sloan, EdD

Associate Professor of Education, School of Human Development and Education

Kris Sloan is the director of the Master of Arts in Global Development Practice program. He teaches courses on culture, curriculum, pedagogy, leadership, ethics and educational policy at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Sloan has published works on anti-oppressive pedagogy, educational policy, teacher education and assessment literacy. He has worked as a professional curriculum designer and has taught in the United States and abroad.

At $55,920, the Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Higher Education degree is a smart investment. The knowledge and skills acquired in this program prepare you for career advancement opportunities and rewarding work within the postsecondary education field. 

Tuition* includes all course fees but does not include books, comprehensive fees, or other course materials. Once accepted to the program, you are required to submit a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit. Deposits are applied toward tuition and secure your place in the upcoming class.

*Tuition is subject to change at the discretion of the St. Edward’s University Board of Trustees.

Financial Aid

The St. Edward’s University Financial Aid Office provides information about financial aid opportunities available to doctoral students. Please visit our Financial Aid page or call us at (512) 387-3110 if you are interested in additional details.

To apply for the online Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Higher Education program, applicants are required to have a master’s degree from an accredited university. Review application steps and requirements for the program as well as key dates: Application Deadlines and Checklist

Take the Next Step

Are you interested in knowing more about our online Doctorate of Education program? Fill out our Request Information form or call 512-326-7501 to take the next step.