In today’s dynamic higher education landscape, professionals aspiring to lead must not only be passionate but also equipped with the right skills and credentials. Whether you’re a mid-career educator ready to step into an executive role or someone transitioning into higher education leadership, you’ll need to make a strategic investment in your future.
Regis College’s EdD in Leadership program offers a transformative path for professionals to elevate their careers while driving meaningful change in their institutions.
For example, Regis alumni Dr. Scott Lambert, Associate Professor at Rhode Island College and former Director of IT Graduate Programs at New England Institute of Technology, and Dr. Christiane Petrin Lambert, Assistant Professor and Founding Director of Learning for Life at Rhode Island College, leveraged the EdD program to achieve significant career advancements and broaden their impact as leaders in higher education. Here’s a closer look at those journeys.
Key Takeaways
- A Doctor of Education (EdD) degree equips professionals with the skills to navigate the complexities of secondary and higher education, preparing graduates for executive-level roles.
- The program emphasizes a commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusive leadership, making graduates agents of positive change in their institutions and communities.
- Students are encouraged to apply their learning directly in their current roles, solving real-world challenges and implementing practical solutions to improve teaching, learning, and administration.
- Regis faculty provide personalized guidance throughout the program, offering support with research, dissertation development, and professional opportunities that can lead to career advancements, publications, and more.
Regis EdD Alumni Scott Lambert: Innovating Beyond the Classroom
Scott Lambert’s journey into education was rooted in his love for problem-solving. Earning an undergraduate degree in computer science, Scott found fulfillment as a tutor, where he discovered a passion for teaching. This led to a Master’s in Computer Science and Education and years of impactful classroom instruction.
However, Scott sought a broader platform to influence not just students but the systems shaping their educational experiences. That’s when he discovered Regis’s EdD in Higher Education Leadership program.
Why Regis?
Scott chose Regis’s EdD program for its flexible hybrid cohort model, which balanced his professional responsibilities with his desire to advance his education. “The program allowed me to work on my own schedule, collaborate with peers remotely, and deepen my learning during monthly on-campus sessions,” he explains.
One of the greatest strengths of the EdD in Leadership program that appealed to Scott was its focus on the real-world application of knowledge. “I was not limited to performing research and using results to argue my theories,” he explains “I had the opportunity to take that knowledge, develop solutions, implement them, and gauge the results to further understand and improve teaching and learning processes.”
At Regis, students are not only learning in theory but are empowered to apply what they learn immediately in their professional roles. This practical approach is key to enabling future leaders in education to create positive, measurable change in their institutions.
Expanding Horizons at Regis
Scott’s time at Regis also expanded his professional network and leadership confidence. “Before Regis, my network was limited,” he says. “Now, I have connections with peers and mentors who’ve been pivotal in my career.”
Through these connections, Scott gained insights and opportunities that allowed him to collaborate on institutional initiatives. For example, Scott applies his newly developed leadership skills to drive meaningful changes in the institutions he serves, bridging his passion for teaching with a vision for systemic impact.
Regis EdD Alumni Christiane (Chris) Petrin Lambert: Advocating for Equity Through Leadership
Chris Petrin Lambert’s professional path began in social work, where she championed the needs of marginalized populations. As an Executive Director for the social profit sector and a clinical social worker, she excelled in advocating for equity and social justice. However, her growing passion for teaching and mentorship led her to explore opportunities in higher education leadership.
"I realized the EdD credential would allow me to pursue a permanent teaching position—either as a clinical faculty member or on a tenure track,” she explains. “With my doctoral degree, I now feel more confident to lead community-based research positions.”
Why Regis?
Chris wanted a program that aligned with her professional values and personal commitments. Therefore, Regis College’s focus on educational justice and equity resonated deeply with her. “It was the perfect pairing for my background in social work,” she notes.
Through Regis, Chris was able to channel her advocacy into actionable change. Armed with her EdD, she secured a consulting role to facilitate a Human-Centered Design Project for her state’s child welfare agency. Additionally, as a Regis graduate student, she co-authored a peer-reviewed journal article with faculty published in November 2024, which highlights the program’s emphasis on mentorship and professional growth.
Leading with Purpose at Regis
What sets Regis College’s EdD program apart is its unique approach to educational leadership. The program’s focus on educational justice and equity prepares graduates to make a meaningful difference in their institutions and communities. This alignment with the Carnegie Project for the Education Doctorate (CPED) ensures that graduates are not only skilled in leadership but are also equipped to drive positive social change.
Chris found the focus on social justice to be pivotal in her journey. “What I found most impactful for my work is the program’s focus on educational justice and equity,” she adds. “As a clinical social worker, it was the perfect pairing for my previous graduate studies and current work.”
For Chris, the EdD program was more than an academic pursuit—it was a transformative experience that expanded her capacity to lead and advocate. “The EdD program has guided me to take my skills and experiences to the next level in my career,” she shares.
As a result, Regis provided Chris with the tools and confidence to amplify her impact in education and beyond.
Empowering Leadership Through Regis’s EdD Program
Both Chris and Scott’s professional journeys emphasize the importance of finding a program that aligns with your personal and professional needs. For example, they continue to use their Regis education to help students find academic success in and outside of the classroom.
Since the program, they have co-designed a first-year seminar course that integrates their dissertation research to prepare students for the learning differences and challenges faced in transitioning to college coursework. They will start teaching two sections of the new FYS course for Rhode Island College in the Spring 2025 term as well as perform research about the impact of these courses to build knowledge about teaching, learning, and college persistence.
“The Regis EdD program made doctoral study possible in the constellation of my life,” Chris notes. “You need your support system to get through it, but it’s absolutely worth the commitment.”
The EdD in Leadership program at Regis College is designed for professionals ready to grow their careers and step into leadership roles. It serves mid-career educators and administrators by building the skills and confidence necessary for leadership positions in higher education and K-12 senior roles.
That’s why Scott encourages future students to embrace the challenges and opportunities the program offers. “If you’re looking to make a real impact in education, Regis’ EdD program is for you. It’s not just about learning and researching, it’s also about implementing your knowledge to make real change.”
If you’re ready to advance your career and make a greater impact in higher education, explore how Regis College’s EdD in Leadership can empower your journey.
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