North Hunterdon Greg Cottrell Dissertation Defense
Greg Cottrell becomes the first student to defend a dissertation for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania's doctoral program. Pictured seated (from left) are Assistant Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education Andrew Whitehead, Associate Profess of Digital Media Technologies Beth R. Sockman and Professor of Professional and Secondary Education Douglas Lare. Standing (from left) is Director of Graduate and Extended Learning William Bajor and Cottrell, assistant principal of North Hunterdon Regional High School. (courtesy photo)
ANNANDALE - Greg Cottrell, assistant principal of North Hunterdon Regional High School, became the first student at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania to defend a dissertation for the university's new doctoral program.
A doctor of education in Educational Leadership and Administration was approved by the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education in April of 2016. It is the first doctorate program in the 124-year history of the institution.
Cottrell defended his dissertation on March 22.
"Greg Cottrell's successful dissertation defense marks a true watershed moment in ESU's history," said William Bajor, director of graduate and extended learning at ESU. "It is an enormous personal achievement for Greg, one which deserves to be proudly celebrated.
"It is also a moment where Greg has the unique honor of leading the way for those who will follow him as future doctorate degree recipients at ESU."
In his dissertation research, Cottrell aimed to gain an understanding of how data about student internet activity can influence the instructional design choices that teachers make to meet the needs of digital learners, according to a news release. His findings support the guiding hypothesis that there are educational benefits associated with providing teachers access to comprehensive learning analytics reports associated with their students.
Since 2000, the university has offered this doctoral program in collaboration with Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the only State System university approved to offer doctoral degrees until the 2012 passage of Pennsylvania's Higher Education Modernization Act permitting all State System universities to propose and offer professional doctoral degrees.