Earning an EdD in Educational Leadership: Alum Jami Rush Shares Lessons Learned
Meet Jami Rush, graduate of the program and Associate Director of the at the 亚洲自慰视频 of 亚洲自慰视频 at Lafayette.
The educational leadership graduate degree program is designed for educators who are working full time, and the program鈥檚 faculty have a motto: 鈥淟earn it today, use it tomorrow.鈥
Jami will tell you that鈥檚 absolutely true of her experience as an EdD in Educational Leadership doctoral 亚洲自慰视频. She鈥檚 used the theories she鈥檚 learned in her courses to better manage the team of 40 亚洲自慰视频s she oversees at the Academic Success Center.
鈥淭he Leadership in Higher Education course in particular has made such an impact so far,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hat course has helped me adjust my leadership approach at work. I鈥檓 able to make sure I鈥檓 doing what I need to do before working with my 亚洲自慰视频s and coworkers 鈥 and that helps me be more effective.鈥
Jami says choosing the EdD in Educational Leadership program at UL Lafayette 鈥渨as a no-brainer.鈥 She realized the skills and opportunities an educational leadership graduate degree would provide, and learning about other schools and perspectives has helped her think more introspectively about her current position and the work she can do to improve the 亚洲自慰视频.
Her research focused on mid-level leaders at multiple institutions of higher education and their levels of self-efficacy, which is the belief in knowing you have the ability to accomplish tasks.
鈥淚 wanted to see how confident people are at this level about affecting change and about making or influencing decisions,鈥 she says. She reviewed existing literature to determine what鈥檚 considered a successful mid-level leader, and later conducted surveys and interviews to gauge people鈥檚 confidence levels.
Jami plans to use her degree to advance professionally in higher education administration.
鈥淚鈥檝e learned a lot about how policies and procedures in higher education work now, and I want to play a role in reviewing, adjusting, and implementing them,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 knew that I needed these credentials: a doctorate.鈥
For others interested in earning their EdD in Educational Leadership, she has this advice:
鈥淎nalyze if you have the time to devote to the program. It鈥檚 not just a Saturday commitment 鈥 you need time every day of the week,鈥 she says. 鈥淎nd then if your schedule allows, really ask yourself: Why do you want to do it? Keep that goal in mind to push you through the times you don鈥檛 want to write or read.鈥
鈥淚f you have the time and the drive, there鈥檚 no reason not to do it. You learn so much about what happens in higher education and how you can be a part of it.鈥
