Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Location: McKee 418
Telephone: 970.351.2861
Website: www.unco.edu/cebs/leadership-policy-development-higher-education-p12-education/educational-leadership-policy-development/
Faculty: Amie Cieminski, Ed.D.; Michael I. Cohen, Ed.D.; Linda R. Vogel, Ph.D.
The mission of the program is to develop educators who have the vision and the ability to lead educational organizations by providing needed services to learners in educational settings, creating effective learning environments, effecting policies that govern educational organizations, and modeling continuous learning with and for the citizens of the community. To achieve this mission, ELPS faculty incorporate innovative teaching practices; engage in inquiry about leaders and leadership; and demonstrate leadership at the local, regional, national and international levels.
The underlying philosophy of the ELPS program is that educational leaders possess knowledge of self, others, organizations, learning and society necessary to perform creatively and effectively in diverse environments. They engage people in identifying and working toward the accomplishment of a shared vision for the organization. Leaders incorporate the ideas, values and experiences reflective of a pluralistic society and promote continual learning.
The ELPS programs are exemplified by the following beliefs:
- Human growth and development are lifelong pursuits.
- Leadership encompasses a learned set of knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices.
- Organizations are artifacts of a larger society.
- Learning, teaching, and collegiality are fundamental activities of organizations.
- Validated knowledge and active inquiry form the basis of practice.
- Moral and ethical imperatives drive leadership behavior.
- Effective leadership in organizations depends on individual and team efforts.
- Leaders' behaviors and actions model their beliefs and values.
- Leaders effect positive change in individuals and organizations.
- Effective leaders develop positive interpersonal relationships.
- Diversity strengthens organizations.
- Organizations and leaders are accountable.
The ELPS programs and the scholarship of its faculty and students emphasize:
- Formal and informal roles and strategies of educational leaders in P-12 schools and post-secondary settings
- Fiscal, legal and personnel aspects of schools and higher education
- Innovative practices in leadership preparation
- Understanding, facilitating and evaluating the change process
- Innovation and restructuring of schools
- Collaboration in teaching, learning and scholarship
- Adult learning and development and staff development
- Policy development, analysis and implementation
- Service to schools, higher education and policy makers
- Identification of multicultural and gender-based needs