Leading Change, Online

The Ed School’s Online Master’s in Education Program (OEL) is a two-year, part-time program the provides an opportunity for educators around the world to join the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s learning community.  

The program offers three pathways: preK–12, higher education, and international education policy and management — all bringing together a diverse cohort of experienced professionals.

Below, OEL students and alumni share their thoughts on the program's global community, and how it has enriched their learning and deepened impact in their careers.

Karen Meza Fernández, Ed.M.’24
Villa el Salvador, Peru

“My classmates were a source of learning, motivation, and inspiration to me. We all had been in leadership positions at classroom, school, and system levels and so the varied lived experiences we shared in connection with the classes brought up insightful discussions. The fact that we were all on different corners of the world did not stop us from building a community; on the contrary, the diversity is rich and valued. The depth of connection I could make with some of my classmates and teachers enabled me to seek the same in my leadership.”

William Franks, Ed.M.’24
Missouri/Shanghai, China

“The OEL Program gave me a plethora of tools, perspectives, frameworks, and strategies to tackle the infinite range of challenges one can face in education. It also helped me understand the ways that systems and policies must be shaped to serve the needs of learners (be they students or teachers). That powerful toolbox was always presented and practiced in classes that allowed me to see what best served my own work in cross-cultural, bilingual, and international education.”

William Yip, Ed.M.’25
Guangdong, China

“Through case studies, cross-sector readings, and collaborative projects with peers around the globe, we’re exposed to a wide range of leadership models and systems-level thinking. This combination of personalization and global perspective cultivates both a sharper strategic mindset and a deeper sense of social responsibility — making the learning experience not only practical, but also transformative in how we see ourselves and our role in shaping education.”

Pili Lindley, Ed.M.’25
Lima, Peru

“People often say online learning can’t build connections, but they’re wrong. Through a screen and across countries we created a global campus. This program has helped me to get to know myself better, and has ignited a renewed curiosity for academics, research, and learning. I leave with a heart full of purpose and a renewed commitment to creating meaningful change, and to following my true passion.”

Safa Shoaib, current student
Karachi, Pakistan

"HGSE reframed how I view students — not as empty vessels to be filled, but as richly complex individuals with preexisting assets and funds of knowledge, waiting to be amplified. The program’s deep-rooted ethos of equity stretched my thinking beyond the narrow lens of college admissions and into the broader terrain of systemic change. It taught me to recognize not just gaps in access, but cracks in the very foundation."

Peter Sagun, Ed.M.'25
Philippines/Sweden

"This program has truly been a turning point. It has equipped me with practical tools to lead with clarity and compassion, and has sharpened my ability to navigate the complex realities of school communities. More than anything, it has reinforced my commitment to keeping students and teachers at the heart of every decision."

Read more from these students and alumni in the HGSE Admissions Blog.