Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer its new Doctor of Executive Leadership (DEL) program, marking another significant milestone in the institution’s continued growth and expansion of graduate education.
The approval allows ACHE to officially launch the fully online doctoral program, with the inaugural class scheduled to begin August 10, 2026.
The new program was developed to meet the growing demand for experienced leaders who can navigate organizational change, workforce transformation, innovation, and increasingly complex business environments. Designed for executives and professionals across healthcare, higher education, business, government, nonprofit organizations, and the military, the 42-credit-hour asynchronous doctoral program equips graduates with advanced skills in executive leadership, organizational strategy, change management, communication, and evidence-based decision-making all while providing the flexibility to continue working full time.
“This approval represents another important achievement in the continued growth of Arkansas Colleges of Health Education,” said Jo Alice Blondin, PhD, President of Arkansas Colleges of Health Education. “As we expand our graduate and professional education offerings, we remain committed to developing leaders who will improve organizations, strengthen communities, and make a meaningful difference across healthcare, business, education, government, and beyond. The Doctor of Executive Leadership is an exciting addition to that mission.”
Grounded in ACHE’s mission of improving lives through education, innovation, and service, the Doctor of Executive Leadership expands the institution’s growing portfolio of graduate and professional degree programs while providing a flexible pathway for experienced professionals nationwide to advance their leadership capabilities without putting their careers on hold.
“We developed the DEL program to meet a growing need for leaders who can think strategically, and successfully guide organizations through increasingly complex challenges,” said Jeremy M. Welsh, PHD, DHSC, JD, DEL, PA-C, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer and Associate Provost of Medicine and Health Science. Welsh added, “This is more than a leadership degree. It’s a program designed to prepare executive leaders who can transform organizations and create lasting impact. We are excited to welcome our inaugural class as they begin this journey.”
Travis Kaufman, DMSc, PA-C, FIBODM, Program Director of the Doctor of Executive Leadership program, said the curriculum was intentionally designed to prepare leaders to create meaningful organizational change.
“The Doctor of Executive Leadership program was engineered to bridge the gap between advanced scholarship and real-world transformation,” Kaufman said. “We don’t just teach leadership theory—we empower executives, clinicians, and innovators to solve complex challenges, lead with confidence, and build resilient organizations prepared for the future.”
Applications are now being accepted for the Doctor of Executive Leadership program. To provide maximum flexibility for working professionals, the program offers five start dates each year, with each cohort limited to approximately 25 students.
