This article is a retrospective description of the decisions, strategies, and context of program changes made at the USC Rossier School of Education, related specifically to the education doctorate. The primary purpose is to highlight the change process from the perspective of the academic dean. Drawing on work in systems change and strategic planning and on a recent external evaluation of the revised EdD program after 10 years, the description focuses on the leadership at the dean level and the lessons learned. Three strategies emerged as important: being mission-driven in changing curriculum, not tinkering at the margins of programs but starting anew and viewing systems change as a continuous process rather than an event.