Lincoln Superintendent Achieves Doctorate Degree

RUSSELLVILLE — Mary Ann Spears, superintendent of Lincoln Consolidated School District, is one of the first doctoral graduates in Arkansas Tech University history.

Spears, along with seven other educational professionals from across Arkansas, received the Doctor of Education degree in school leadership at the completion of the spring 2017 semester.

The formal steps involved in creating the Doctor of Education degree in school leadership began in July 2010, when the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees approved a letter of intent notifying the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) that the university was developing a Doctor of Education program.

One month later, the board approved a letter of intent to ADHE concerning the change in role and scope necessary to allow Arkansas Tech to offer doctoral programs.

In November 2010, the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees approved the program proposal that outlined the Doctor of Education degree as developed by the faculty in the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning.

The following years saw a site visit by an out-of-state review team in March 2012 and program reviews by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB), all of which led to a decision by the AHECB on July 25, 2014, to grant Arkansas Tech a change in role and scope and permission to begin offering a Doctor of Education degree in school leadership.

The final piece of the puzzle was put in place in May 2015 when the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, granted accreditation for the Arkansas Tech Doctor of Education degree.

The program is designed for K-12 education professionals who currently serve or wish to serve in school district leadership positions.

Other educational professionals who received the doctoral degree were Tiffany Bone, visiting assistant professor of educational leadership with Arkansas Tech University; Cody Chatman, principal of Greenwood Junior High School and Freshman Center; Christopher Johnson, assistant principal of Jacksonville High School; Keith McGee, principal of Mann Magnet Middle School in Little Rock; Ivy Pfeffer, assistant commissioner with Arkansas Department of Education; Keri Rathbun, principal of Kimmons Junior High School in Fort Smith; Cindy Rice, academic facilitator, Heritage High School in Rogers.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Mary Ann Spears, Lincoln school superintendent, received the Doctor of Education degree in school leadership during the spring graduation ceremony at Arkansas Tech University.