December 18, 2009

BIG RAPIDS - A new Doctor of Education degree approved Friday by Ferris State University's Board of Trustees will help prepare the next generation of community college leaders tackle an increasingly complex set of educational challenges.

The Educational Doctorate in Community College Leadership combines courses from the colleges of Business, Education, Arts and Sciences, and Professional and Technological Studies. With a business core and interdisciplinary approach, this innovative degree will help assure that the future leaders of Michigan's 28 community colleges are as well-prepared for those challenges as possible.

"The unique emphasis of this program fits nicely with Ferris State University's mission of preparing the state's citizens for successful careers that will shape the future of Michigan," Ferris Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Fritz Erickson said. "Ferris is well-suited to offer this degree based upon its career-oriented, broad-based approach to education."

The university expects to enroll its first class of students in the program beginning in summer 2010.

"Unlike other higher education degrees in the state, the Ferris Doctor of Education degree focuses clearly on the community college. With our distinctive mix of degrees, from associates on up, Ferris understands well what community colleges face," Ferris President David Eisler said. "As our university celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, our founding principles of opportunity and industry continue to guide the creation of such needed programs of study."