Earlier this year, I announced that I will step down from the IDT department chair position at ESU. The plan was to teach 3 master's level classes each semester, research, do some writing (and perhaps grants) and just fade away, like an old soldier (see General Douglas MacArthur, 1951) -
http://youtu.be/M87s_I-c-Xw?t=7m42s
That was the plan ..... until I was approached with a rare opportunity at Baker University.....
On July 1, I will be be leaving Emporia State University to begin work at Baker University as Professor and Director (and creator) of a new doctoral program in Instructional Design and Technology. The Baker University undergraduate programs are housed at the beautiful Baldwin City, KS campus. My office and doc program will be housed at the Baker University School of Education/School of Professional and Graduate Studies facilities in Overland Park, KS (8001 College Boulevard). I am sad that I will be leaving my wonderful ESU IDT faculty colleagues and master's students. However, I am happy that I may be able to help many of my former and current ESU IDT students achieve their goal of advanced graduate study (think Ed.D./Ph.D. in IDT degree) at Baker University. Although the actual doc program will likely begin in fall 2015, interested individuals may be able to begin as early as fall 2014 by taking some of the common research courses that are already in place with the existing Ed.D. program in Educational Leadership. It's a bit early to give too many details, but I foresee an online and/or hybrid program that can be delivered online and at the Baker - Overland Park, KS location.
I have no doubt that ESU IDT will continue to be a world-class program, producing the finest master's degree graduates; and I am counting on it. Hopefully, many of our outstanding ESU IDT graduates will take the next step with me at Baker University!
Dr. Childress
