During Patti Chance's previous tenure here, she and her late husband, Ed, were members of the College of Education faculty and involved in the educational leadership program. What drew her back following her retirement from San Diego State University was the chance to play a key role in the revamping of the program. The new master's degree in urban leadership program will offer exciting opportunities for an interdisciplinary approach to leadership, the Oklahoma native says. The program is now part of the UNLV School of Environmental and Public Affairs.

What drew you to the field of educational leadership?

I had worked with children as a youth services counselor and teacher. School administration was an opportunity to make a greater difference by impacting more students and teachers. As a professor of educational leadership, I have the opportunity to work with many fine educators and administrators and to develop aspiring educational leaders.

What is a misconception many people have about your field?

That it is about "managing" things such as budgets, supervising school events, being the "disciplinarian." In actuality, effective school administrators are instructional leaders who work with teachers, parents, students, and community stakeholders toward a shared vision of educational excellence.

Effective educational leaders find ways to make things happen -- to change what needs to change -- not necessarily to function within the bureaucracy as a good soldier -- but to lead our educational institutions on new paths that are responsive to the needs of children, the times we live in, and the future we are developing.

Why is the program well placed in the College of Urban Affairs?

Because it provides exciting opportunities for an interdisciplinary approach to leadership -- moving beyond a singular focus on "education" to a view of educational leadership in the broader context of the community and the many systems that interact with schools.

Can you give us some specifics of the program?

The initial specialization in educational leadership meets the coursework requirements for Nevada endorsement as a school administrator and will prepare prekindergarten-12 educational leaders for positions as school principals, assistant principals, or other district administrative positions.

The educational leadership specialization is a 36-credit master of art program that can be completed in 18 months. In addition to classes, students will participate in a yearlong field experience in which they will lead an effort for school improvement at their site of employment. In fact, field experiences are central to the program.

One tip for success.

Love what you do! Life is too short to do otherwise.

Who is your hero and why?

My late husband and all of my graduate students. They have taught me many things. First and foremost, a leader is a learner.

What are your hobbies?

Travel, photography, reading mystery novels.