Dr. Matthew Militello, a long-standing member of CPED, has consistently contributed to the development and strengthening of the CPED community and its mission to transform EdD programs. From 2014 to 2016, Dr. Militello served as a Senior Research Fellow for CPED, where he shared his expertise and passion for cultivating EdD program designs specifically tailored to develop scholarly practitioners. His ongoing participation in CPED convenings and events has not only contributed to the advancement of educational leadership but has also directly influenced the improvement of EdD programs across the network.
In his book, Cultivating School Change from Within, Dr. Militello draws from an impressive 77 EdD dissertations, offering CPED members a comprehensive view of how internal school leadership can drive meaningful change. This connection between scholarship and practice reflects CPED’s vision for EdD programs and demonstrates how advisors can support the development of scholarly practitioner work within the CPED framework.
One of Dr. Militello’s most notable achievements includes securing a SEED grant to support 30 students in earning their EdD degrees, a significant contribution to CPED’s goal of expanding access to quality educational leadership programs. He has also brought numerous EdD students to CPED convenings and events, fostering a new generation of educational leaders committed to the CPED model. His unwavering dedication to advancing the mission of CPED continues to have a lasting impact on students, schools, and communities. This recognition reflects his profound influence on CPED’s growth and his commitment to the development of its scholarly practitioner model.
Margaret “Terry” Orr, PhD, Fordham University
Dr. Margaret “Terry” Orr has built an extraordinary career spanning over 30 years, dedicated to researching and preparing educational leaders. With over 9,000 citations to her name, Dr. Orr’s scholarly contributions have been instrumental in shaping the role of EdD programs and fostering the growth of scholarly practitioners. Her work consistently advocates for bridging the gap between research and practice to improve educational leadership. As a result, the Fordham EdD program has flourished and had an impact in local schools.
Since 2017, Dr. Orr has coordinated a remarkable partnership with Bronx and surrounding school districts through the Improvement Leadership Education and Development (iLEAD) initiative. This partnership, formed in collaboration with the Carnegie Foundation and CPED, continues to serve as a model for how universities and schools can work together to develop innovative leaders prepared to tackle today’s educational challenges. Dr. Orr has consistently presented her learning at CPED convenings and events and she has chaired a CPED Dissertation in Practice of the Year award.
About the Award