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CIRCLE: Building Community, Individuals and Respect--Creating Leaders of Excellence. The EdD Program at Texas A&M University

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Title: CIRCLE: Building Community, Individuals and Respect--Creating Leaders of Excellence. The EdD Program at Texas A&M University
Language: English
Authors: Radhika Viruru (ORCID 0000-0002-5692-0602), Sydney Zentell (ORCID 0009-0000-4442-7389), Shaun Hutchins (ORCID 0009-0008-4693-3654), John Williams (ORCID 0000-0002-8561-468X), Beverly Irby
Source: Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice. 2026 11(2):3-11.
Availability: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh. 3960 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Tel: 302-831-1266; 302-831-4441; e-mail: dpjournal@pitt.edu; Web site: https://impactinged.pitt.edu/ojs/ImpactingEd
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Doctoral Programs, Instructional Leadership, Educational Change, Program Development, Program Implementation, Online Courses, Student College Relationship, Social Networks, Sense of Community, Student Needs, Individual Needs, Nontraditional Students, Leadership Training, Educational Practices, Educational Quality
Geographic Terms: Texas
ISSN: 2472-5889
Abstract: In this article, we describe how the online EdD program in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M University underwent a transformative redesign that led to its being recognized as the Program of the Year by the Carnegie Project for the Education Doctorate (CPED). We detail the program's evolution from its 2009 inception, its structured pedagogical approach, and the comprehensive self-study process that identified the key features of this redesign which centered on human connection over static online communication. The resulting innovation, the CIRCLE model (Community, Individuals, Respect, Creating Leaders, Excellence), is presented as a theoretically grounded framework aligned with CPED principles. This redesign has fostered a vibrant, community-oriented ecology, leading to significant improvements in student retention and the development of scholar-practitioner-leaders. Evidence of impact is demonstrated through positive student survey outcomes, and compelling testimonials from students and faculty, showcasing the program's profound influence on individuals, the institution, and the communities served by its graduates.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 20260101
Accession Number: EJ1515756
Database: ERIC
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  Data: CIRCLE: Building Community, Individuals and Respect--Creating Leaders of Excellence. The EdD Program at Texas A&M University
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Radhika+Viruru%22">Radhika Viruru</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5692-0602">0000-0002-5692-0602</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sydney+Zentell%22">Sydney Zentell</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4442-7389">0009-0000-4442-7389</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shaun+Hutchins%22">Shaun Hutchins</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4693-3654">0009-0008-4693-3654</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22John+Williams%22">John Williams</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8561-468X">0000-0002-8561-468X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Beverly+Irby%22">Beverly Irby</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Impacting+Education%3A+Journal+on+Transforming+Professional+Practice%22"><i>Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice</i></searchLink>. 2026 11(2):3-11.
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  Data: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh. 3960 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Tel: 302-831-1266; 302-831-4441; e-mail: dpjournal@pitt.edu; Web site: https://impactinged.pitt.edu/ojs/ImpactingEd
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Texas%22">Texas</searchLink>
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  Data: In this article, we describe how the online EdD program in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M University underwent a transformative redesign that led to its being recognized as the Program of the Year by the Carnegie Project for the Education Doctorate (CPED). We detail the program's evolution from its 2009 inception, its structured pedagogical approach, and the comprehensive self-study process that identified the key features of this redesign which centered on human connection over static online communication. The resulting innovation, the CIRCLE model (Community, Individuals, Respect, Creating Leaders, Excellence), is presented as a theoretically grounded framework aligned with CPED principles. This redesign has fostered a vibrant, community-oriented ecology, leading to significant improvements in student retention and the development of scholar-practitioner-leaders. Evidence of impact is demonstrated through positive student survey outcomes, and compelling testimonials from students and faculty, showcasing the program's profound influence on individuals, the institution, and the communities served by its graduates.
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 9
        StartPage: 3
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Doctoral Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Leadership
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Change
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Implementation
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      – SubjectFull: Online Courses
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      – SubjectFull: Student College Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Networks
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      – SubjectFull: Sense of Community
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Needs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Individual Needs
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      – SubjectFull: Nontraditional Students
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      – SubjectFull: Leadership Training
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Practices
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Quality
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      – SubjectFull: Texas
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: CIRCLE: Building Community, Individuals and Respect--Creating Leaders of Excellence. The EdD Program at Texas A&M University
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