Sul Ross State University has reached an historic milestone in its 110-year history. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has approved the university’s request to offer its first-ever doctoral degree in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.), with the inaugural cohort set to begin in Fall 2026.
This landmark approval officially transitions Sul Ross into a doctoral-granting institution, fundamentally expanding its role in higher education across West Texas and the Texas borderlands.
Final implementation of the program remains contingent upon approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
“This is a transformative and historic moment,” said Dr. Carlos Hernandez, president. “We began our journey as a teacher’s college committed to expanding educational opportunities in rural and underserved communities. Offering our first doctoral degree brings us full circle and signals a new era for Sul Ross. This Ed.D. is the first of what we expect will be many doctoral programs that strengthen our impact across the region and beyond.”
The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership is explicitly designed to prepare scholar-practitioners who lead improvement and innovation across professional settings, with a distinctive focus on rural and borderland communities. The program aligns with the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) and emphasizes improvement science, applied research and leadership for real-world challenges.
“The approval of this program reflects years of thoughtful planning and an unwavering commitment to quality,” said Dr. Bernie Cantens, provost and executive vice president. “This is not simply about adding a new degree, it is about extending Sul Ross State University’s mission into doctoral education while maintaining rigor, relevance and accessibility for working professionals.”
The Ed.D. program will employ a flexible hybrid delivery model, making doctoral study accessible to educators who cannot relocate for advanced education. Its integrated curriculum embeds dissertation development from the first course, allowing candidates to complete a dissertation-in-practice that directly addresses challenges within their own professional contexts.
Dr. Kevin Badgett, dean of the College of Education, emphasized the program’s significance for both the university and the region.
“This program represents a bold investment in educational leadership for rural Texas,” Badgett said. “Our graduates will be equipped not only with advanced credentials, but with the tools to strengthen schools, districts and communities where leadership is most urgently needed.”
The program will be led by Dr. John Decman, professor of Educational Leadership and program director, whose experience in doctoral program design spans both state and national levels.
“The Ed.D. was built with purpose,” Decman said. “Our focus is on developing practitioner-scholars who can apply research and improvement science to meaningful problems of practice. Graduates will leave prepared to lead evidence-based change that makes a tangible difference in their organizations and communities.”
University leaders also expressed gratitude to Dr. Barbara Tucker, former dean of the College of Education, for her leadership in launching the doctoral initiative. “This milestone would not have been possible without Dr. Tucker’s vision and commitment,” Cantens said.
Rooted in Sul Ross State University’s mission to expand access and foster excellence, the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership empowers professionals to lead meaningful, evidence-based change across the region and beyond. Initial enrollment will be intentionally limited to ensure high-quality mentorship and cohort development.
For more information about Sul Ross State University and its academic programs, visit www.sulross.edu/educational-leadership/#doctoral or email john.decman@sulross.edu.
Photo: From left: Dr. Carlos Hernandez, president; Dr. John Decman, program director; Dr. Kevin Badgett, dean of the College of Education; Dr. Bernie Cantens, executive vice president and provost.