College of Education’s
Department of Education Policy and Leadership reorganizes

COLLEGE PARK, MD (July 2007) – The College of Education recently reorganized the Department of Education Policy and Leadership (EDPL) into two new departments: the Department of Education Policy Studies (EDPS) and the Department of Education Leadership, Higher Education and International Education (EDHI). Doing so makes it possible for the two new units to have a more sharply focused mission and structure that can be more responsive to the clientele they serve.

The Department of Education Policy Studies (EDPS) will concentrate on the preparation of scholars and researchers capable of applying the disciplines of economics, history, philosophy, political science, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies to the study of education policy and practice. EDPS will include three areas of specialization: curriculum theory and development, socio-cultural foundations of education and policy studies.

The Department of Education Leadership, Higher Education and International Education (EDHI) will prepare students for leadership positions as scholars, researchers and administrators in higher education, international agencies, and organizational leadership. EDHI will include three areas of specialization: organizational leadership and policy studies, higher education and international education.

Dr. Francine Hultgren will serve as Interim Chair of the Department of Education Policy Studies and Dr. Tom Weible will serve as Interim Chair of the Department of Education Leadership, Higher Education and International Education. Searches for permanent chairs for both departments will begin in the near future.

Speaking of the change, Interim Dean Donna Wiseman stated, "This is a time of near universal concern in the United States about the quality of education being provided students at all levels. Reorganization of EDPL into two closely related but differently focused departments will enable us to better respond to the twin challenges of preparing effective school leaders and grounding education policy and practice in highest quality research."