UCF’s Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education (ELHE) has been granted full membership to the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA), the largest U.S.-based research-oriented member consortium of higher education institutions dedicated to improving the profession of educational administration and leadership.

Last week, ELHE Department Chair RoSusan Bartee traveled to the UCEA’s annual convention in Los Angeles to accept the honor. Admission to full membership requires institutions to undergo rigorous institutional and program review, including a site visit to meet with representatives from the department, university administrators, student body and alumni.

“Nearly seven years ago, upon entering as chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education, my vision was for our educational leadership program to be part of this distinguished consortium of higher education institutions,” Bartee says. “The vision now has been realized through the hard work and tireless efforts of our program and department faculty, college leadership and broader UCF community. I am grateful for the collaborative commitment of all who made this distinguished recognition possible.”

Following the department’s review, one of the educational leadership program’s standout benefits as highlighted by the visiting team was the many partnerships the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE) maintains with the surrounding school districts.

“One of the most exciting components of the educational leadership program is the depth of partnerships with the school districts in and near the greater Orlando metropolitan area — most notably Orange County, Osceola County and Lake County,” the review noted. “Community engagement is a big focus of this program, and it shows in the consistently hard work that the faculty display in this area.”

Also noted in the report were the department’s commitment to placement and success of graduates, as well as the strength of the cohort model in facilitating a collaborative learning environment among both faculty and students.

“The department did a fantastic job during UCEA’s site visit,” Associate Professor Daniel Eadens says. “This is a huge honor. There are two large organizations in the education leadership field in the United States: UCEA and International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership. Being a member of both puts our department on the map.”

CCIE Dean Grant Hayes had the opportunity to meet with the UCEA representatives during the site visit.

“I’m incredibly pleased that our Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education has been accepted into the prestigious University Council for Educational Administration,” Hayes says. “It is an honor for our department to join a council that places emphasis on all of our core values here in the College of Community Innovation and Education, as well as supports our department as we continue to establish innovative community partnerships and cultivate our commitment to serving our students and communities.”