Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis: Higher Education, PhD
This is a named option in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis PhD.
The Department’s Higher Education PhD aims to develop a knowledge base that includes an understanding of the institutional context of higher education, academic leadership, culture and governance, and student services administration. Program faculty have expertise in identifying and dismantling structural inequities across and within the higher education ecosystem. In course and dissertation work, students are encouraged to pursue their “burning questions” toward transformative change. Students receive a strong foundation in theoretical and conceptual frameworks, research methods (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed and multi-methods), and an understanding of the institutional dynamics and policy context of post-secondary education.
Students who have received their PhD in Higher Education in our department have successfully pursued roles in leadership, faculty, and senior administrator and staff positions at a wide range of colleges and universities across this country and the globe. To illustrate, some graduates have gone on to become presidents of community colleges, research universities, and liberal arts colleges. Others have taken on senior administrative and staff positions, such as vice-presidents of statewide systems of higher education, chief diversity officers, college and university provosts, and university-wide assessment directors. Still others have taken on faculty and research positions at major research universities as well as regional colleges and universities.
Learn more about the Higher Education program option and the PhD degree requirements.
To inquire about admission, please contact Shari Smith, Graduate Program Manager and Academic Advisor, at ssmith@education.wisc.edu
Applicants are also welcome to reach out to our department faculty to engage in conversations about topics such as research, faculty advising, and curriculum prior to applying for admission.
Degree at-a-Glance
Format
Face-to-Face
Fall and Spring semester courses are offered during the evening. Summer courses are offered during the day.
Program Type
PhD Degree
Credits
75 graduate credits
Tuition
Current tuition rates can be found on the Bursar’s Office website. Additional cost of attendance information can be found on the Office of Student Financial Aid’s website
Application Deadline
December 1 (for admission to the following fall semester)
Meet Some of Our Alumni
Current Title: Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Engagement, Office of the President, Carnegie Mellon University
Degrees: Ph.D., Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (Higher Ed track), 2018
What was it like being a PhD student in ELPA?
Transformative, in a way. I started out inspired by a particular line of inquiry and it only continued to evolve the more that I learned. I look back on my time at ELPA favorably and still cherish the lasting relationships from my time there. I took advantage of the resources available – through graduate assistantships, conference travel stipends, publication opportunities, dissertation writing camps, and career transition support.
What professional roles have you held since graduating with a PhD from ELPA-HigherEd?
When I graduated nearly seven years ago, I moved to New York City to embark on a role as Senior Program Officer, North America, for the Scholars at Risk Network based at New York University. After nearly five years at NYU, I moved to Pittsburgh and shifted into university- community relations at Carnegie Mellon University. Now I am leading strategic initiatives within Carnegie Mellon’s Office of the President.
How did ELPA-HigherEd help you prepare for your career?
When I was at ELPA, there were a variety of courses that explored the history, philosophy, and purpose of higher education. I didn’t realize at the time how frequently I would return to the textbooks that grounded my understanding of higher education in the United States. This foundational knowledge has proven critical to understanding and addressing the many complex challenges that face the higher education sector today, while affirming my commitment to higher education’s contributions to the public good.
What do you think makes ELPA Higher Ed special?
Having built an interdisciplinary minor that spanned beyond the department and school, my experience revealed how uniquely collaborative and welcoming the ELPA department was. A significant distinction for me was that when you walked into an ELPA course, that early focus felt more about what you could learn versus what you already knew. It was an encouraging and supportive ecosystem for learning theory and practice, and I am grateful my experience prepared me both for the traditional professoriate path and the administrative leadership path that was the better fit for me.
What is something you liked about Madison?
Madison is a quintessential college town, but unique in many ways. UW’s location in the state capitol makes it a fascinating learning environment, where faculty expertise can inform policymakers in real time from the other end of State Street. There’s a lot of placemaking in higher education—whether intentional or by coincidence—and UW’s symbiotic relationship with the city and state offers endless avenues for understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with higher education administration.
Current Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto (UofT).
Degrees:
Ph.D. in ELPA (Higher Education), 2020
M.S. in ELPA (HE), 2018
B.A. in Education & Youth Studies and History, Beloit College, 2011
What was it like being a PhD student in ELPA?
I appreciated the sense of community the department cultivated. My colleagues and faculty were intentional about creating an uplifting and supportive community where people were free to explore critical ideas and perspectives. A lot of this occurred through the many courses we took but also outside the classroom (usually at the Terrace over beers!)
What professional roles have you held since graduating with a PhD from ELPA-HigherEd?
Since July 2020, I have been an assistant professor of higher education at OISE, UofT. I conduct research and teach graduate-level courses related to student equity and success, postsecondary finance, and evaluation.
How did ELPA-HigherEd help you prepare for your career?
It becomes immediately apparent how well ELPA prepares you for a career in academia. The courses are challenging yet engaging. We are also routinely exposed to visiting scholars giving lectures and talks on cutting-edge research. Finally, I also appreciated ELPA’s involvement in the Interdisciplinary Training Program (ITP) in Education Sciences. ITP gave me an opportunity to engage with graduate students in other departments who were also invested in studying pressing educational issues using methods of causal inference.
What do you think makes ELPA Higher Ed special?
The faculty. I was very lucky to have been taught by core faculty, like professors Winkle-Wagner, Wang, Hillman, and Conrad. They pushed our thinking and dedicated generous time to provide us pointed yet thoughtful feedback on our scholarly work. I can only imagine how much stronger the department has become with the addition of impressive new scholars.
What is something you liked about Madison?
I have fond memories of the following very random things: the turkeys at Eagle Heights, running to Picnic Point, the Common Pasta food cart, cycling to Military Ridge Trail, and, of course, the Terrace.
Current Title: Assistant Professor of Higher Education, University of Pittsburgh
Degrees:
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin–Madison, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (2021)
M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (2017)
B.A., Arizona State University, Journalism and Mass Communication (2015)
A.A., Scottsdale Community College, Journalism (2012)
What was it like being a PhD student in ELPA?
Moving from Arizona to Wisconsin represented quite a shift, though I found myself right at home in ELPA, whether in serving on research projects both in Wisconsin and with colleagues out of state, or even shaping programming as part of the ELPA LEADS organization. I built community with peers, faculty, and staff, constantly relishing the opportunity to expand my mind about distinct pieces of knowledge and perspectives.
What professional roles have you held since graduating with a PhD from ELPA-HigherEd?
Following my doctorate, I worked as a postdoc at the NC State Belk Center (continuing my research on community college issues) and then shifted to the University of Arkansas to begin my career as a tenure-track assistant professor. I have continued my faculty journey at the University of Pittsburgh.
How did ELPA-HigherEd help you prepare for your career?
I appreciated using courses as a testing ground for exploring topics of interest that appealed to me and ultimately built my foundation as a scholar on issues facing autistic and community college students, including translating course papers into peer-reviewed journal articles. Furthermore, some of those same courses I took as a student are now ones that I teach, so I continue to reflect on how to create a fruitful, comprehensive experience for my students based on my experiences. In tandem, I consider how new information and insights I have gleaned over recent years have expanded my horizons in how I carry discussions of those same topics.
What do you think makes ELPA Higher Ed special?
At its core, the people of ELPA made it a remarkable community to belong to; some of those individuals have been core individuals within my personal and professional journey in the years since being a student. When colleagues and faculty invested in valuing me as a whole person, I felt most at ease. I continue to translate that same spirit of generosity and kindness into the relationships I cultivate.
What is something you liked about Madison?
I loved allocating time to be part of the community writ large, whether in teaching workshops in the DELTA program at UW-Madison, attending lectures at the Wisconsin Union, or even, at one point, both giving historic architectural tours of the city and taking improv classes during the same summer! Walks around campus and downtown often brought joy to my day, too.
Current Title: Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy
Degrees:
Ph.D., Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (Higher Education); Minor, African American Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2023)
M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Texas at Austin (2018)
B.A., Government with Honors, The University of Texas at Austin (2016)
A.A., Political Science, Mountain View Community College (Dallas, TX) (2013)
What was it like being a PhD student in ELPA?
Transformative, Communal, and Intellectually Invigorating. To say I had an amazing PhD experience would be an understatement-I feel very grateful. Getting my PhD in ELPA was a beautiful experience, and while graduate school can be challenging, the experiences I had with faculty, staff, and peers truly changed my life.
What professional roles have you held since graduating with a PhD from ELPA-HigherEd?
I am currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy at The University of Texas-Austin. From 2023-2025, I was a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Qualitative research in The Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education at the University of Oklahoma – Norman.
How did ELPA-HigherEd help you prepare for your career?
I knew I wanted to be a tenure-track faculty member at a Large R1, so I was very vocal about my desires to my advisor (Rachelle Winkle-Wagner), mentors, and peers. Alongside being a researcher on a Spencer Foundation Large grant that explored the health profiles of Black women faculty (Rachelle Winkle-Wagner and Bridget Goosby, University of Texas-Austin, were Co-PIs), I also took a plethora of 940 specialized classes they focused on critical theory, methods, and data analysis that I heavily use in my scholarship and pedagogy today. Lastly, I applied every year to all the ELPA scholarships that supported my travel to conferences where I could present research and network with other scholars in the field.
What do you think makes ELPA Higher Ed special?
I can truly say I received a world class education that I continue to build upon today. Now that I am a proud ELPA alumni, I realized more each day how valuable my time was in ELPA as a PhD student. From the faculty, staff, and fellow ELPA students.
What is something you liked about Madison?
I like the Arboretum, me and my grad school friends would go on walks there every week. I also LOVE the SOE building. I have been to many education buildings across the country, and UW’s is top tier-I especially miss the coffee shop downstairs!
Current Title: Assistant Professor
Degrees: Ph.D., Higher Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, University of Wisconsin–Madison
What was it like being a PhD student in ELPA?
Being a PhD student in ELPA felt both challenging and rewarding. I deeply appreciated the constant support and opportunity my advisor and life-long mentor, Dr. Xueli Wang, provided throughout my doctoral journey. The supportive community Dr. Wang created among current doctoral students and alumni made the experience especially fulfilling!
What professional roles have you held since graduating with a PhD from ELPA-HigherEd?
I am currently an Assistant Professor in Quantitative Methodology at San Diego State University. Previously, I was an Assistant Professor of Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at California State University, Stanislaus, where I taught quantitative methodology and assessment classes, as well as chaired dissertations.
How did ELPA-HigherEd help you prepare for your career?
My biggest and greatest appreciation would give to Dr. Wang, my advisor and role model, who is the first person who saw my potential and encouraged me to explore and pursue the professional pathways. I am privileged to join Dr. Wang’s research projects to gain research and professional skills by learning and practicing research skills with real-world, hands-on opportunities. As her TA for two years, I had the valuable opportunity to observe and learn from her passionate, insightful, truly inclusive, and ever-evolving teaching pedagogy. I am also grateful for the support from ELPA faculty members, Dr. Weijia Li, Dr. Mollie McQuillan, and Dr. Brian Burt, and peers from Dr. Wang’s advisee team for serving as the sounding board and offering love and cheering during the challenging process.
What do you think makes ELPA Higher Ed special?
ELPA excels in providing a supportive, tight-knit community, where we, faculty, peers and staff members, genuinely care about one another’s growth. The program’s emphasis on real-world issues, coupled with robust research opportunities, prepares graduates to be effective leaders. Additionally, dedicated advisors add a personal touch to the academic journey. I would not have made it this far without Dr. Wang’s expert guidance, detailed feedback, enlightening input, and endless patience.
What is something you liked about Madison?
I especially miss the summer Terrace at Memorial Union. The quiet moment by the water and inspiring conversation with my mentor and friends nourished me and gave me the strength to continue the challenging yet rewarding journey.
Find Your Community with #IAmELPAHigherEd
Higher Education Faculty
Front row, left to right: Rachelle Winkle-Wagner, Weijia Li, Aireale Rodgers, Jing Yu
Back row, left to right: Elton Crim Jr., Krystal Williams, Frank Fernandez, Brian Burt
Not pictured: Xueli Wang
