41 students begin Harlingen’s first doctoral program

HARLINGEN - Despite earning his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College, Jose Angel Mendez thought the university's doctoral program was missing something.

So, his search for the right curriculum continued. His quest stretched to the University of Texas-Pan American and the University of Houston.
Still, he said, something wasn't right.

As a coordinator for curriculum at Texas State Technical College, Mendez for nearly seven years worked at finding a solution not just for himself, but others in the area seeking a doctorate in leadership studies.

By October 2007, TSTC began coordinating with Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio to address what Mendez said is a great demand and need from students here.

"This fit into the puzzle," Mendez said.

The result is what is being touted as Harlingen's first doctoral program.

In September, 41 students began their weekend classes to earn a doctorate in leadership studies.

According to OLLU officials, students in the program are from Harlingen, San Benito, Brownsville, Rancho Viejo, Alamo, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Weslaco.

OLLU professors travel to Harlingen every other weekend to teach the classes on the campus of TSTC, said OLLU spokeswoman Anne Gomez.

Members of this class are in the fields of education, law and business, officials said.

This is a program of multidisciplinary studies designed to help students advance in their careers. OLLU's Web site states the studies research methodology, ethics, teamwork, communication and strategy.

"They're studying the foundation of leadership, different types of leadership; it spans across all fields," Gomez said.

Mendez said he hopes the degree will help him become a vice president or president in a college setting.

Students meet nearly every two weeks, Mendez said. It can take anywhere from three to four years to get his degree, he added.

OLLU's Leadership Studies program began in 1998 on the university's San Antonio campus. More than 50 adults working in education, healthcare, state and federal governments and both profit and nonprofit organizations have completed this program, officials said.

"Most doctoral programs admit younger adults who must quit their jobs and become full-time students and teaching assistants," said Dr. Mark Green, a chair of the department. "Our students continue to juggle work and family demands while adding to their lives the joy but
challenge of studying at the doctoral level."