*In this photo:* (L-r) Ed.D. student Yanyan Bao, Dr. Justin Alexander, Dr. Pietro Sasso, Dr. Tina Mitchell, and Ed.D. student Kelli Green recently gave presentations on the issues and challenges for HBCU Educational Leadership graduate program at the recent Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) annual convening in Philadelphia, Pa.

On Campus

Ed.D. faculty, students present at Carnegie HBCU program in Philly

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

DSU Doctor of Education (EdD), students presented with Department of Education faculty describing the issues and challenges for HBCU Educational Leadership graduate programs in Higher Education and K-12 at the recent annual Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) annual convening in Philadelphia, Pa.

The presenters – Drs. Justin Alexander, Assistant Professor of Higher Education, Tina Mitchell, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Education Programs, and Dr. Pietro Sasso, Associate Professor of Higher Education – highlighted the strengths and areas of growth opportunity as they relate to HBCUs such as research, mentoring, and expanding opportunities to diversify educational leadership across the P-20 pipeline.

Also, Dr. Reshid Walker presented a series of interactive scholarly sessions which introduced EdD faculty to human-AI partnerships aimed at revolutionizing instruction and course design. Participants engaged with AI tools to redesign syllabi, develop rubrics, create presentations, and support students’ Problems of Practice. Participants left with tangible products and actionable strategies designed to enhance educational experiences for both faculty and doctoral students.

These presentations are part of a broader initiative by the faculty to expand promote recognition of HBCU graduate education programs, particularly those preparing scholar-practitioners for careers in higher education administration. These CPED presentations built upon another virtual gathering.

Also in October, Dr. Pietro Sasso was part of a distinguished panel of experts and scholars which was hosted by the Rutgers University Center for Minority Serving Institutions (CMSI). The virtual panel discussion was hosted by Dr. Marybeth Gasman and the session featured opening commentary from DSU President Dr. Tony Allen. The panel also included EdD affiliate faculty member Dr. Adriel Hilton and faculty from Morgan State University (Dr. Niah Grimes) and Howard University (Dr. Robert Palmer). Dr. Allen highlighted the upward motion of HBCUs and increased evolution of leadership training at HBCUs.

The panel discussed issues and opportunities for HBCUs master’s and doctoral programs in higher education administration to educate and prepare the next leaders at HBCUs and across higher education. Participants left the discussion with the aspirations to amplify the voices of faculty and students in HBCU higher education administration graduate programs by beginning a consortium or a collective.

The Department of Education faculty in the EdD programs in K-12 and Higher Education continue to uplift and expand opportunities in the preparation of educational leaders for careers in education administration by leading national conversations shaping education through faculty-student relationships.

The DSU EdD in Educational Leadership is among less than five CPED recognized programs which promote academic quality, rigor, and program excellence. This national recognition demonstrates faculty and program commitment to equity, ethics, and social justice. For more information on the EdD in Educational Leadership in Higher Education, please contact the program coordinator, Dr. Sasso at psasso [at] desu.edu.