Welcome from the Department Head

Welcome to the website of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.  We are proud to offer a certificate, as well as the masters and doctoral degrees, in PK-12 school administration. In the realm of colleges and universities, we offer a doctoral degree in  higher education administration and a masters degree in college student personnel.

Detailed information related to each of these programs is contained in this website. If you are interested in PK-12 school administration, I ask that you contact Dr. Pamela Angelle.

Please contact Dr. Norma T. Mertz, for any questions related to higher education administration or the college student personnel program.  Complete contact information for these program coordinators can be found on the Faculty/Staff link in this website.

The preparation of leaders for educational settings has a rich history at The University of Tennessee and I am pleased that you are interested in our programs. If I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Vincent A. Anfara, Jr., Ph.D.
Department Head

Our Vision and Mission

The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies seeks to excel in preparing effective leaders for PreK-12 schools and colleges, researchers and policy scholars involved in state, regional, and national study of major policy issues related to schools and colleges, educational leaders for active participation in policy dialogue affecting the purpose and performance of schools and colleges, and faculty  to serve in schools and colleges. The graduate programs of the department are designed to enrich knowledge, skills, and values requisite to effective leadership and to effective teaching and research in educational settings.

The department views leaders as stewards and servants of organizations; designers of the social and cultural climate in which they work; teachers who facilitate and encourage human growth and development; change agents who continually examine the purpose and performance of their organizations, and conceptual provocateurs who challenge ideas and assumptions on which policy and practice are build.

Our Values

The effectiveness of leaders at any level and in any setting turns on competence and conscience. Technical knowledge and skill are placed in action at the service of core values, which are premier design instruments for organizational cultures and climates. Honoring these core values promotes leadership effectiveness. Neglecting these values takes clients and organizations in harm’s way and diminishes the promise and performance of those who give voice and meaning to educational organizations. The values upon which all programs are built and which guide the teaching and learning in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies include:

Civility - Affirming the power of human dignity and diversity

Candor - Respecting the power of public forum and the role of dissent and debate

Courage - Acting on conviction and linking belief to action

Responsibility - Accepting care for one’s actions and decisions

Compassion - Caring for person and principle and hold high expectations

Community - Respecting diversity while developing and agenda of common caring

Persistence - Accenting long range goals and staying the course in face of hardship

Service - Placing the welfare and promise of others before self

Excellence - Calling individuals and organizations to high standards of performance

Justice - Ensuring equity in opportunity and recognition