Transformational Educational Leadership
Bringing highly-effective transformational leadership to schools: for the benefit of students, parents, and school professionals.
Bringing highly-effective transformational leadership to schools: for the benefit of students, parents, and school professionals.
Are you ready to become a transformational leader in education, capable of creating highly-effective school cultures and driving positive change? Madonna University's Master of Science in Transformational Educational Leadership (MSTEL) program prepares you to meet the growing need for innovative, collaborative leaders in diverse educational settings.
Our comprehensive MSTEL program is designed to develop not just effective administrators, but visionary leaders who can:
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible for administrator certification in Michigan, opening doors to leadership roles in various educational institutions.
Choose between two concentrations:
Why did you choose Madonna University?
I chose Madonna University because it was close to home and it had an excellent reputation.
What do you think makes the experience and education at Madonna Special?
All of my professors were extremely dedicated and passionate professors. They truly
cared about students, which included me the student and the students I would be entrusted
with. The small class size was also a plus for personalized attention.
What have you been doing since graduation, career wise?
When I first graduated 11 years ago, I started working at Plymouth High School in their FCS department. I was there for seven years and then I moved over to East Middle School. I have been here for five years. Just recently I accepted a position at Ohio University as an associate lecturer and program coordinator.
How has your Madonna degree played a role in your current position?
My Madonna degree has led me to a new challenge in my career. I will be lecturing
and also responsible for growing a department.
What has been your most rewarding professional or personal experience since graduating?
My most rewarding experience is that I now will have the opportunity to be like the
professors that so greatly inspired me. It is my turn to inspire the next generations
of educators.
Why did you choose Madonna University?
It was a local and reputable Catholic university precisely offering the degree in
Catholic school leadership that I was looking for and needed at the time.
What do you think makes the experience and education at Madonna special?
The University’s Catholic identity and ethos, class sizes, interpersonal dynamics
and interactions between professors and students, knowledgeable and helpful guidance
by program directors, and the Graduation Mass with the Bishop are highlights for me.
What have you been doing since graduation, career wise? 2012-14: President of Detroit Catholic Central High School, Novi, and MI 2014-present: President of St. Michael’s College School, Toronto, Canada.
How has your Madonna degree played a role in your current position?
Elements from all my Madonna courses continue to inform and influence my ongoing analysis,
judgment, planning, and direction of diverse school programs and initiatives. In the
leadership of my schools, I have always been guided by our discussions in leadership
classes about the important differences between the life world and the systems world
in daily school life.
What has been your most rewarding professional or personal experience since graduating?
My most rewarding professional experience has been being appointed the President of
my alma mater. St. Mike's gave me the foundation for life and it is where I discerned
my priestly vocation with the Basilian Fathers. Also, having been blessed with the culture and benefits of Catholic education all
my life, I continue to receive confirmation time after time from current students,
parents, faculty, and staff, as well as alumni students and parents, about the value
and importance of the many dimensions of the life world in our school life, which
is always supported by the spiritual foundations of faith and service; because it
is this pervasive culture that makes the most lasting impression and effects the greatest
lasting impact on all generations within our school community.
B.S. Northern Michigan University
M.A. Eastern Michigan University
Ed. S. Wayne State University
Ph.D. Eastern Michigan University
lsharon@madonna.edu
734-432-5334, Room 2230F
Dr. Les Sharon is the Director of the Masters of Science in Transformational Educational Leadership and the Director of Student Teaching. His professional background includes thirty-three years in K-12 education as a special education teacher, general education teacher,Reading Recovery teacher, and building principal. His work focuses on the formal preparation offuture educational leaders that will someday transform struggling schools into effective,high-achieving learning communities that meet the needs of all students. He received his Ph.Din Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University and holds endorsements in elementary and secondary administration, general education (K-8 all-subjects), and special education including cognitively impaired and learning disabilities.
Dr. Sharon’s research interests include examining the role status functions play in school organizations as they relate to curriculum enactment as well as role of language in effective school leadership. He works closely with the Beijing Comparative Educational Institute and with colleagues at the Xi’an University to provide educational opportunities for school leaders and teachers all over China. Dr. Sharon served as an adjunct professor before joining Madonna University full-time as an assistant professor.
A.B.Ed University of Michigan
M.M. Michigan State University
M.A. Eastern Michigan University
Ph.D. University of the Cumberlands
lcarzon@madonna.edu 734-432-5483, 2230A
Leisa Marie Carzon, Ph.D.,has over 27 years in higher education. She is Director of the Catholic School Leadership graduate program and an assistant professor. She graduated with high distinction from the University of Michigan and obtained graduate degrees in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan and University of the Cumberlands. Her research interests include K-12 education, Catholic school identity, and the spiritual formation and theological literacy of Catholic school administrators. She is currently a principal investigator for a nationwide study to provide feedback to the Congregation for Catholic Education, a Pontifical congregation of the Roman Curia, with results to be presented to the Vatican.
She is also coloratura soprano, holds a graduate degree in vocal performance, and has performed both nationally and internationally. She has sung with the Michigan Opera Theater and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and has been a featured soloist with numerous symphonies, chamber ensembles, and choral groups. Musical highlights include performances as an oratorio soloist on recordings, a featured operatic role in Italy, a vocalist in a DSO production with Maureen McGovern, a soloist for the consecration of the EWTN-affiliated Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and a chamber vocalist for a visit of His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II.
B.S. Central Michigan University
M.A. University of St. Joseph
Ed.S. Oakland University
Ed.D. Michigan State University
734-432-5651, 2230H
Dr. Anne-Marie Sladewski is a Graduate Program Director and an Assistant Professor in the College of Education. She joined the full-time faculty of Madonna University in 2023. She received her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. Experienced professor and school-based and central office administrator with a demonstrated history of success and leadership in higher education Her research interests include collective responsibility on educational partnerships and improved learner outcomes.
B.S. University of Michigan – Flint
M.S. Oakland University
Ed.S. Oakland University
Ph.D. Oakland University
734-432-5785, 2230D
Dr. Sue Ann Sharma is the Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Madonna University. Previously she served as the Graduate Education Chair for the Education Division of the College of Education and Human Development. Her career in higher education was preceded by extensive leadership experience in education at school and central office levels. Additionally, she has state-level leadership as the President of Michigan Reading Association.
Passionate about educational excellence, Dr. Sharma is dedicated to preparing teachers to address the diverse needs of learners. Her commitment extends to developing instructional literacy leaders, contributing to the future of education. As an advocate for literacy, she has actively served on the International Reading Association's Literacy Reform Task Force and Michigan Reading Association Board of Directors.
Sharma's academic pursuits focus on early childhood education, culturally responsive pedagogies, digital curation, and online teaching and learning. Through her research, she aims to advance knowledge in these critical areas, contributing to the ongoing evolution of effective educational practices. A respected figure in academia, Dr. Sue Ann Sharma continues to inspire and shape the educational landscape, leaving an indelible mark through her leadership, research, and commitment to fostering excellence in teaching and learning.
