Ed School Welcomes Doctoral Students to Campus

HGSE advanced doctoral students returned to campus last week to greet the 44 new doctoral students and six Urban Superintendent Program candidates who arrived for orientation. Introductions were made and advice was offered on everything from how to manage being a parent to how to register for classes. And encouragement -- you will survive stats class -- was also provided.

While the first year of doctoral studies can be overwhelming, orientation provided an opportunity for students to learn more about conducting education research at Harvard and the various opportunities around campus, to meet faculty and administrators, and to be reassured that they had made the right choice to come to the Ed School.

"I was not sure I made the right decision," advanced doctoral student Emily Kalejs Qazilbash told students of her first days at HGSE. "I wish I hadn't wasted one second worrying about coming here."

Dean Kathy McCartney further reassured the doctoral candidates  during a luncheon. "As you have no doubt heard from my colleagues, we are all so glad that you are here. More importantly, I want you all to know that you belong here," she said.

Assistant Dean for Doctoral Studies Shu-Ling Chen noted that doctoral admissions is a "highly selective process.... We have managed to bring in a class of students who not only have incredible academic credentials, but have also demonstrated a strong record of leadership in schools, organizations, and government," she said.

This year's new cohort consists of principals, researchers at major educational research organizations and centers, teachers who have been highly effective in the classrooms, an executive director for a region of Teach for America, policymakers from ministries of education, a founder of a volunteer organization working on programs for homeless youths, an education fellow on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, leaders of professional development programs for teachers, a director of development for a private school, and individuals who bring years of experience in the corporate sector and are now turning their energies to the education sector. "At a fundamental level, what they have in common is a desire to make a difference for students and learners of all ages," Chen said. "We can look forward to their important contributions to the field of education."

One of those new students is Almudena Abeyta, Ed.M.'04, who has worked as a Boston Public School principal since graduating from the Ed School's School Leadership Program. Abeyta said that while studying for her master's degree, the Urban Superintendent Program students made such an impression and impact on her own education that she wanted to return and study at HGSE again someday. Despite her familiarity with HGSE, she was just as nervous as the other students about returning to school. "I've been out of school for four years," she said. "But it's like coming home."

For the new cohort of doctoral students, who come from around the world and different walks of life, various HGSE administrators like Doctoral Program Coordinator Stacy Peazant and Chen will act as information sources, cheerleaders, and listeners throughout the years.

"The 2008 Cohort already exhibits a very focused academic drive," Peazant said. "There also seem to be many parents in the incoming class. This heightens the challenges of navigating a doctoral program but I think there will be a lot of resource sharing among the new parent-students, as well as the advanced doctoral parent-students."

Advanced doctoral student Kate Roth, who is finishing her studies following the birth of her three children, is living proof that it's possible to be a parent and earn your doctoral degree. She shared advice she received from Professor Bob Selman in her first year at HGSE. "Think of this as a marathon -- not a sprint -- and pace yourself," Roth advised.