UI&U's Ed.D. Program: Focused on Social Justice

The Ed.D. July 2009 residency cohort in Cincinnati, Ohio

When Susan Maxam was ready to begin working on her doctoral degree in education, she looked for a university and a program that would meet certain criteria. Academically, the program would be stimulating and challenging; its courses would be infused with social justice; the professors would be exceptionally qualified; and the program would fit into her already busy work schedule.

After hearing her requirements, Susan’s former supervisor suggested she consider the Ed.D. program at Union Institute & University. “He had worked closely with Union alumna Dr. Sandy Estenak (associate professor of graduate education and leadership at Canisius College), with whom he co-authored a book.  He knew that Sandy’s experience at Union was a life-changing one, personally and professionally. In fact, he all but insisted I attend because he knew it would mesh perfectly with my values, interests, and goals,” said Susan. “Talking to Sandy cemented my decision. “

Commitment to Social Justice Issues
Susan Maxam in Kenya Susan has worked at Pace University for the past 20 years in a variety of roles. Currently, she serves as the university’s director for student success where, among other things, she leads efforts to integrate social justice into the student experience, as well as support and empower at-risk students. Outside of work, her commitment to social justice is just as strong. She assists her husband with his non-profit organization Jua, which provides solar lighting to rural Kenyan schools.

“Since I was in my early 20s, I have dedicated my life to helping, serving, guiding, and empowering others, as well as striving to make a difference in the environment in which we all live,” said Susan. “As an undergraduate and graduate student, I spent a great deal of time in Latin America working in refugee camps, orphanages, prisons, and shantytowns. Those experiences were life-changing, and they solidified my commitment to help the underprivileged and try to safeguard our environment.”

Dr. Arlene Sacks, dean of UI&U’s Ed.D. program, says it is the Ed.D. program’s emphasis on social justice that makes it unique, and this feature is one of the top reasons that the program attracts higher education leaders like Susan. Learners in the program can choose from two tracks: educational leadership or higher education.  But from the very beginning, says Dr. Sacks, both programs incorporate social justice and leadership into their coursework. “Those who come to Union are looking to change policy,” said Dr. Sacks. “Our Ed.D. learners wish to become true leaders in education reform.”

This is certainly true for Susan. “My ultimate goal is to create a social justice institute where I currently work so that I can raise consciousness; support and empower those who are potentially marginalized; promote cross-cultural understanding; and infuse vital social justice issues into the entire student experience,” she says.  “My education at Union is moving me closer toward this goal.”

The Scholar/Practitioner Model
UI&U’s Ed.D program is committed to providing its learners with professors who know first-hand what it takes to be a leader in higher education. The professors have all served as administrators and policy makers themselves. And the scholar/practitioner model that the Ed.D. program incorporates into the program allows both learners and professors to value different points of view, and familiarizes them with the challenges educators experience in other parts of the country.

“This isn’t your average, local Ed.D. program. You see this at our residencies, when our learners come from all over the country,” says Dr. Sacks. “The diversity of the cohort of learners is a unique and wonderful aspect of the program that gives our learners a broader, more global view, and prepares them to change and implement education policy on a national level.”

Susan Maxam says every one of her professors has such a passion for the program and their work that “it’s contagious. They generate such excitement in all of the learners, particularly in terms of viewing the world through a different lens.”

One of Susan’s most inspiring teachers has been UI&U’s Dr. James E. Henderson, whom she regards as a mentor, and someone who shares her passion for service and social justice. In part due to his dedication to the program and to his learners, Dr. Henderson will serve as UI&U’s keynote speaker for the university’s undergraduate commencement in Los Angeles in July. In his address, he intends to share key lessons learned from his career, as well as examples of servant leaders who have a heart for issues of social justice.

Another of Susan’s professors, Dr. Jim Caraway, calls her every week for a half-hour conversation on the material they cover in class and to discuss ideas, experiences, and insights they both have about integrating social justice into our work. She says her friends who have attended traditional universities are astounded by what they hear about the Ed.D. program.

“They are continually amazed at the stories I tell them about my relationship with my professors and the personalized attention I receive at Union. This just doesn’t happen elsewhere.”