Dream Program Begins for New Crop of Doctoral Students

Forty-three new doctoral students arrived on the Harvard Graduate School of Education campus last week filled with excitement and anticipation over embarking on their extensive studies.

This group of doctoral candidates, described by Professor Richard Murnane as “bringing a wealth of professional experiences to the program,” is the first cohort entering with HGSE’s commitment to provide three-years of doctoral funding.

Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies James Stiles has high praiase for the group. "They are an amazing group of individuals — teachers and researchers, an OECD policy maker, a lawyer, a social worker, moms and dads, peace corps and TFA alums. These folks have already had a great impact on the communities where they have worked — here in the US and around the world from Zimbabwe to Pakistan, from Toronto to Paris. Unlike many doctoral students, ours arrive with strong experience leading organizations, schools and classrooms. They bring rich professional knowledge, sharp minds, and a desire to change the world. "

During orientation week, the students not only got to know fellow doctoral candidates, they also participated in sessions on conducting education research, overviews of the academic program, tours of the Harvard campus, and meetings with advanced doctoral students.

Dean Kathleen McCartney greeted the new students during an informal lunch, where she recalled her first days as a doctoral student, and the anxiety and questioning that many have about fitting in. McCartney reassured the new doc students that they belong at HGSE. “You are a select group of people,” she said.

McCartney encouraged the new HGSE students to invest in faculty who will be with them throughout their studies. She told students not to be shy, go to office hours, decide which faculty members they want to work with, and work hard. “You will be working really hard, but know you are going to love it,” she said.

The first few days of orientation were overwhelming for many students, but also invigorating for those who have spent years dreaming about and sometimes debating whether to pursue a doctorate degree. This is especially true for incoming doctoral student, Lissa Young, who will study higher education.

After spending the past 16 years working as an aviator in the U.S. Army, Young said her experience teaching at United States Military Academy at West Point is ultimately what sealed her “affinity for education.” While attending Harvard has long been a dream, Young applied on a “wing and a prayer” and said she still can’t remember anything that Murnane said when he phoned to tell her she’d been accepted. “I feel like I’ve fallen through the cracked door into paradise,” she said. “I am so grateful and can’t work hard enough to pay back this opportunity.”

The pursuit of a doctoral degree is demanding and takes many years to complete. However, doctoral program coordinator Stacy Peazant said to the students that she’ll remain by their sides throughout the process, cheering them along, and pushing their confidence. “This is a quest — a long-term quest — and [I] want it to be enjoyable [for the candidates],” she said. “At times, it will be challenging, but when they think back, I want them to think that it was definitely worth it.”

As for the immense amount of studying and research that lay ahead, Murnane offered the following advice:

“Learn from your smart peers,” he recommended.