Dr. Ronald Grace
Dr. Ronald A. Grace is an Associate Professor in the Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law (ELPL) Program at ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ. A decorated U.S. Air Force combat veteran and accomplished educator, Dr. Grace brings over 35 years of leadership experience across the military, education, athletics, and civil rights sectors.
He holds six earned degrees and multiple certifications, including a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies from the University of Alabama, where he also completed minors in Research and Foundations. His academic journey also includes:
- Ed.S. in Educational Administration – ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ
- Ed. in Special Education – ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ
- Master-Level Certification in Educational Supervision – ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ
- MBA in Business Administration – Webster University
- B.S. in Criminal Justice – ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ
- A.A. in General Studies – Faulkner University
Dr. Grace is a recipient of several prestigious academic honors, including:
- Ronald E. McNair Award (University of Alabama, 2004)
- Academic Distinction Award for highest graduate GPA (University of Alabama, 2005)
- DeWitt Wallace Scholarship
He holds professional certifications in educational leadership and online instruction, including:
- Principal’s Academy Certificate – Montgomery Public Schools
- Online Teaching Certification – ACUE and American Council on Education
- Online Teaching Certificate – ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ
In the military, Dr. Grace served as a U.S. Air Force Captain, ICBM Combat Missile Crew
Commander, Chief Instructor, and Small Arms Expert. He earned two USAF Commendation Medals with Oak Leaf Cluster and completed advanced training at Squadron Officer School (Maxwell AFB) and ICBM Nuclear Missile Training School (Vandenberg AFB).
He has held leadership roles in P–12 education, higher education, collegiate athletics, and the NAACP. Over the past decade, he has taught at the university level and published on topics in educational leadership and distance education.
Dr. Grace’s diverse background and deep expertise uniquely position him to guide ELPL candidates in enhancing their theoretical understanding and professional growth to advance education at the state, national, and global levels.