When Andrew Armstead was looking for a doctoral program in Iowa that would help him advance and realize his career goals in higher education, the educational leadership curriculum at the University of Iowa College of Education quickly caught his attention and soon became the obvious choice for his terminal degree. 

At the time, Armstead had career aspirations to become a superintendent but also wanted to broaden his overall knowledge of the education landscape. 

His intuition about and enrollment in the UI have already paid off. 

A current graduate student in the Educational Policy and Leadership Studies (EPLS) Doctor of Education (EdD) program, Armstead was recently selected as superintendent of the Estherville Lincoln Central (ELC) School District. 

Prior to accepting this top administrator role in Northwest Iowa, he had been serving as high school principal for Maple Valley-Anthon Oto Community Schools in Mapleton, Iowa.

As he prepares to defend his dissertation, the final step toward completing the EdD, Armstead reflected on all that’s he’s learned and firmly believes the EPLS program at Iowa has been a difference maker in his career trajectory. 

“I've had the opportunity to not only learn about administrative functions, budgeting, and human resources, but the program has also stressed the importance of relationship building and advocacy for education,” explains Armstead. “My instructors brought their own life experiences to their courses and gave meaningful projects that help students better understand the ins and outs of the administrative positions.” 

The right program makes the difference 
With a rigorous yet convenient administration, UI’s EdD program is designed for educators seeking a doctoral degree to practice upper-level leadership in pre-K-20 educational settings. 

“What makes our EdD program stand out is its blend of theory, real-world application, and direct workplace impact, allowing students to stay rooted in their careers while advancing them,” says Brooke Strahn-Koller, clinical associate professor and director of the EdD program. “Instead of a traditional dissertation, students complete an applied dissertation that solves a real problem of practice in their own educational setting—so what they learn makes a difference right away.” 

Offered in a flexible format that can be completed from anywhere in the U.S., this EPLS program elevates professionals into roles of greater influence and impact by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead transformative change.

The program is steeped in the latest research, providing higher education professionals a more practical-based approach. With its blended learning delivery, the program applies problem-based learning to identify and address complex issues in educational settings.

“One of the best aspects of the program was the cohort format. My previous work in graduate school was self-paced, online without a cohort group. Having a group of colleagues who are travelling through the same experiences with you is invaluable. The relationships created within this group have given perspective and expertise to courses that wouldn't be available with a different setup,” says Armstead. “The support within those cohort groups is amazing as well. The other students are continuously cheering each other on and helping each other reach their goals.”

Armstead believes the newly acquired skills and knowledge gained from the EdD program will help him navigate the changing educational landscape, both in his current role as superintendent, and in future high level administrator roles. 

As for current educators who might be considering this terminal degree, Armstead’s advice is simple: commit. 

“Committing the time to the weekly courses and allowing yourself to build the relationships available within the program is a huge investment in yourself and your future. If you have the passion to lead, this is a great program to learn leadership skills and gain knowledge and understanding about education along the way.”

Armstead will officially begin his new role as ELC superintendent July 1, 2025. When he’s not working, Armstead enjoys spending time with his wife, Stephanie, and their two children, Hayden and Liam. He also loves to fish, whether it’s on the open water or on the ice.