Educational Leadership

Channel Your Passion to Create Solutions

Consistently ranked as one of the most effective educator preparation programs in the state of Tennessee and the nation, Lipscomb University’s College of Education, offers the Educational Leadership to those who aspire to leadership roles in their school or institution.

Gain the knowledge of a real-world, applicable approach to leadership development through immersive authentic learning experiences and learn from practitioners in the field. The Educational Leadership program is aligned to the Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards (TILS), the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and includes an explicit focus on character development, business acumen and conflict management. Our rigorous program challenges and equips you to lead with character and virtue as you make decisions through practical wisdom and build skills to manage change that results in the highest educational achievements.

12:1

student-to-faculty ratio

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Program Highlights

Networking

Both our deeply connected faculty and our experiential learning opportunities offer myriad ways for you to form relationships with leaders in the industry. These connections will serve and support you throughout your career.

Small Class Sizes

You’ll have opportunities to engage in meaningful discussion, receive one-on-one faculty mentorship and ask difficult questions in our small classes. Plus, you’ll feel supported in a tight-knit learning community.

Nashville, TN

A big city. An even bigger opportunity. We consider Nashville, Tennessee, an extension of our classroom, and as a leading city in many industries, that means you’ll gain experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else.

Career Paths

Elementary, Middle and High School Principals

Elementary, middle and high school principals manage all school operations, including daily school activities. They coordinate curriculums, oversee teachers and other school staff, and provide a safe and productive learning environment for students.

Postsecondary Education Administrators

Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics and faculty research at colleges and universities. Their job duties vary depending on the area of the college they manage, such as admissions, student life or the registrar’s office.

Instructional Coordinators

Instructional coordinators oversee school curricula and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, coordinate its implementation with teachers and principals, and assess its effectiveness.

Our Faculty

Lance Forman

Associate Professor

Forman currently serves as Director of the Educational Leadership Program and as an Assistant Professor. He is passionate about developing great school leaders and helping districts build an internal pipeline of leadership talent. His areas of expertise include school leadership, culture development, talent acquisition, development and retention.

Mike Hammond

Professor

During his tenure at Lipscomb University, Dr. Hammond has served as Dean of Education and Professional Studies, Director of Teacher Education, Chair of the Department of Education, and Vice President and Headmaster of Lipscomb Academy. Prior to receiving a full-time position at Lipscomb, Hammond served 34 years in public schools in Nashville.

Reva Chatman-Buckley

Associate Professor

Reva Chatman-Buckley serves as an instructor for graduate research with nearly ten years as Associate Professor at Lipscomb. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. She teaches Action Research, Research in Classroom Practice, Specialized Field Project and Introduction to Educational Research. She also also advises the master's theses projects that emanate from several of these courses.

Robin Cayce

Assistant Professor

Dr. Cayce is an Assistant Professor with Lipscomb University in the Educational Leadership Program. In addition, she serves as the Chattanooga Teach for America Lipscomb University Liaison, working to support the Chattanooga corps members. She is committed to her work with aspiring educational leaders and her personal vision of ensuring that each leader is as prepared as possible to lead a successful school in Tennessee!

Vanessa Garcia

Senior Program Director

Dr. Vanessa Garcia is an experienced educator who has held various leadership positions in her 20-year career. That career has seen her serve as a middle and high school teacher, a middle school principal, district administrator and adjunct professor.

Kesha Walrond

Assistant Professor

Dr. Kesha Walrond is truly passionate about the work she does in education today. As a principal, she took pride in creating school environments centered around excellence and focused on student success. In her new role, she continues to mentor aspiring leaders and share effective instructional leadership practices with the hope that they will too become effective school leaders.

Lonnie Cochran

Assistant Professor

Dr. Lonnie Cochran is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education and teaches research courses in the M.Ed. and Ed.S. programs. In addition, she serves as an advisor for doctoral research teams. Her areas of interest and expertise include research, teacher preparation, teacher effectiveness, social emotional competencies and mindfulness for pre-service teachers, and educational leadership.

Shape the Future of Education

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