College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

Congratulations to Dr. Stacy Leggett and Dr. Marguerita DeSander from Western Kentucky University’s (WKU) School of Leadership and Professional Studies, along with Dr. Tom Stewart from the Kentucky Department of Education, on being awarded the prestigious Journal of Research on Leadership Education 2023 Article of the Year. Their research article, "Lessons Learned from Designing a Principal Preparation Program: Equity, Coherence, and Collaboration," will be formally recognized at this year’s University Council for Education Administration (UCEA) Annual Convention awards luncheon in Los Angeles.

The award-winning article presents a comprehensive examination of a regional university’s efforts to redesign its principal preparation program curriculum with an emphasis on coherence, equity, and impactful learning. Key insights include the importance of integrating equity as a foundational program theme and aligning learning experiences to program standards and themes. The study outlines six critical steps for effective redesign, which include collaborating with partners, identifying practical challenges, and building a crosswalk to align courses and assessments with educational standards.

Through their research, Dr. Leggett, Dr. DeSander, and Dr. Stewart underscore the significance of collaboration, coherence, and the local context in preparing effective educational leaders. This recognition by the UCEA and the Journal of Research on Leadership Education reflects their substantial contribution to the field of educational leadership.