D. Michael Risen

Education

PhD, Educational Administration, Illinois State University

EdS, Educational Administration, Western Illinois University MS, Educational Administration, Illinois State University BS, Business Education, Illinois State University

Biography

Michael Risen joined the Department of Leadership in Education, Nonprofits and Counseling in the fall of 2004. His recent research includes the analysis of staff development practices in urban school districts and an analysis of the rules and regulations of the IDEA compared to the rules and regulations of the Illinois State Board of Education.  Dr. Risen has also examined the behaviors of principals who have proven to be effective social change agents, conducted graduate program assessments that are aligned with ELCC standards, and effectively reconstructed the internship experience to improve leadership practice.  Past research includes teacher incentive pay programs, total quality management and its application to public schools, and technology use in K-12 education. His implementation of teacher incentive programs has been featured in the Illinois School Board Journal and he has co-authored a graduate textbook on using metaphorical analysis in qualitative research designs entitled Mastering Metaphor: Policy Analysis for the Visionary Leader.  Dr. Risen is also highly published in the area of special education due process, publishing over a dozen due process decisions in the past several years.  A decision issued in 2013 was reviewed by the Seventh Circuit of the Federal Courts and affirmed as a precedent setting decision for the Seventh Circuit and the schools residing in its boundaries.

Teaching

Dr. Risen teaches the graduate courses American Public School Law, Legal and Social Change, The School Principalship, Special Education Law, Educational Finance, Leadership Perspectives, Community Relations, and Research Methods.

Service

Dr. Risen is a past Co-Director for the Center of Excellence for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. 

Licensures & Certifications

Dr. Risen holds three Illinois teaching certificates, including high school, a Type 75 for school administrators, and the Illinois Superintendent’s Endorsement.