UC LEAD Ed.D. · Mission & Vision
Mission & Vision
The UC LEAD Ed.D. prepares leaders who guide complex educational systems with intellectual rigor, ethical clarity, and a sustained commitment to equity.
Vision
Develop passionate and empathetic educational leaders who shape an equitable future for a diverse society.
Mission
The UC LEAD Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at UC San Diego is committed to innovation, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, compassion, and diversity of thought, culture, and backgrounds.
Who We Seek
We seek educators who wish to expand their knowledge of discipline-specific pedagogy, research methodology, and education reform in order to lead curricular and instructional improvement efforts.
Our students include primary, secondary, and post-secondary practitioners representing significant diversity in professional experience and background.
Program Foci
Social Justice Across Education
Addressing issues of social justice in all aspects of education.
Strength & Asset-Based Inquiry
Building on strengths as stepping stones to powerful leadership.
Research & System Design
Exploring cutting-edge research and practices to design and lead systems.
Leadership Across Contexts
Preparation for P–12 and Higher Education leadership roles.
UC LEAD Community of Leaders
- Creates inclusive, compassionate, and safe environments
- Learns from and with others
- Demonstrates empathy with a desire to cross boundaries
- Dreams, wonders, and imagines new educational environments
- Designs creative solutions with and for people
- Questions conventions, status quo, and assumptions
- Works relentlessly to close equity gaps
- Embraces doubt
- Nurtures strengths and vulnerabilities
Community Principles
Commit to having our thinking challenged
Engage in rigorous dialogue and intellectual growth.
Speak from our own experiences
Contribute authentically while maintaining professional integrity.
Be open to listening and hearing others
Foster respectful exchange and intellectual humility.
Create and nurture a space where all voices are heard
Cultivate inclusive dialogue and shared responsibility.
Respect confidentiality
Uphold trust within the learning community.
Share the lesson, not who or where it was said
Focus on insight and growth rather than attribution.
Participate with a “value-added” approach
Contribute constructively to collective progress.
Be mindful of both the message and delivery
Communicate thoughtfully and professionally.