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Charla Brant Elementary Principal Certification, 2018

Principal, Alcott Elementary School, Hastings, Nebraska

Relationships, leadership, and experience are just the beginning of the many benefits of the UNL Educational Administration program. The face-to-face classes provide opportunities to build lasting relationships with colleagues as well as relevant-research opportunities to increase school improvement efforts. The professors are experienced instructional leaders willing to provide support during classroom instruction as well as in the field.

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Kristen Duvall Master of Arts in Educational Administration - Student Affairs Administration, 2020

Hall Director at Christopher Newport University

"I had a great experience with EDAD. Dr. Bondi and Dr. Rumann were professors that not only cared about my academic growth but my personal and professional growth as well. I really valued the cohort experience within this program. Having peers to lean on during stressful times, have civil discourse, and learn from was impactful.

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Matt Fowler Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies - Educational Leadership and Higher Education, 2012

President, Wabash Valley College

"The breadth of knowledge and experiences the EDAD program provided gave me great insight into the larger world of higher education. The curriculum was well suited for the climate of today’s higher education institution with a combination of courses that provided balance in working with fiscal, organizational and policy planning and implementation. This allowed me to take courses in areas where my advisor and I saw gaps in my skill set. To this day, I find myself reflecting on “lessons learned” during my time at UNL."

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Patricia Gentile DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES - EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND HIGHER EDUCATION, 2009

President Emerita, North Shore Community College, Massachusetts

I enjoyed the doctoral program at UNL in Educational Leadership and Higher Education because it had the academic rigor I was looking for, a welcoming and helpful team of faculty and staff, and an online experience that allowed me to continue working full-time. My dissertation preparation and committee members were superb and I’ve utilized what I learned in my resulting leadership positions in the community college sector. My Ed.D. has not only given me entree into a presidential position, it prepared me for the challenges I face on a daily basis. Thank you, Dr.

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Matt Gotschall DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN Educational Administration - Curriculum & Instruction, 2003

President, Central Community College

There is no doubt I would have greatly delayed the obtaining of my Ph.D. were it not for the online option in Educational Administration that led to the completion of my third degree from UNL. The program allowed me to study evenings, weekends and summers while I worked full-time out of state, and my wife and I raised our five daughters. The program was so applicable that I find myself using examples learned in classes on a regular basis.

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Patrick Hunter-Pirtle DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN Educational Administration (UNL-UNO), 1998

Director of Secondary Education, Lincoln Public School

This is my fortieth year in education. I have three degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I taught for thirteen years. I was an associate principal in a middle school in Junction City, KS. for two years and for eight years at Lincoln Southeast High School. I was the principal at Lincoln Southeast High School for eleven years, and this is my seventh year as the Director of Secondary Education in the Lincoln Public Schools.

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Mya' Lesley-Drakeford MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION - STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION, 2020

Diversity Program Manager for Columbian College of Arts & Sciences at The George Washington University

"Coming from a smaller size undergraduate institution, I was a little overwhelmed with the size of UNL and how things worked differently from what I was used to. I like that my professors especially Dr. Rumann and Dr. Bondi helped with my adjustment to UNL by always being available to discuss concerns that I had or just being that listening ear. Also, I love how open EDAD is to new ideas to use for future programs and encouraging graduate students to step outside of their comfort zone.

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Terrence S. McTier, Jr. MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION - STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION, 2015

Interim Dean of Students at Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville

When I started the program as a Black male from Georgia, I was unsure of what to expect from a place like Lincoln, Nebraska. However, I can honestly say attending UNL and participating in the Student Affairs program has been extremely rewarding. In fact, I have to give credit to Dr. Stephanie Bondi who birthed the research idea into me as well as introducing me to the world of social justice, Dr. Corey Rumann who gave me my first research opportunity, and Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Niehaus who mentally and physically prepared me for my doctoral journey today.

Joél Orozco MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION - STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION, 2015

Associate Director, César Chávez Cultural Center at the University of Northern Colorado

In comparison to other narratives from folks in other graduate programs, I feel the EDAD department was organized and all the way from interview days, funding for professional development conferences, mandatory case study competitions, were valuable experiences as the skills learned from those experiences have come handy in job interviews and day-to-day work decision making process. I truly appreciated the flexibility and willingness from EDAD’s Chair for me to be able to shape my experience in the program when it came to course work.

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Jackie Ostrowicki MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION - HIGHER EDUCATION, 2022

Assistant Vice President for External Relations, University of Nebraska System

As a full-time administrator in higher education, I was well-versed in the practical foundations of the job—but my M.A. and Ed.D. coursework provided me with a scholarly foundation that has helped guide my professional and personal practice. The Educational Administration faculty members treated me as a fellow scholar and encouraged me to take time to be reflective, consider my positionality, and approach my job in a thoughtful, evidence-based way.

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Chris Stone DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES - EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND HIGHER EDUCATION, 2018

Lieutenant Commander, Africa Exercise Planner, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa, U.S. Sixth Fleet

My progression and tenure throughout my time in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln doctoral program in the Department of Education Administration was both typical and atypical of my peers in the program. Every student within the program applies themselves and works though the challenges of family, careers, and life.

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Ashley Swift MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION - STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION, 2020

Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life at Mississippi State University

"It was a huge learning experience both in and out of the classroom. Each day I was figuring myself out as a professional due to course work, classroom conversations, and my assistantship. Honestly, I would like to give a huge kudos to the EDAD faculty and staff for all that they did for my cohort and myself. They had so many plans as far as bringing in people who have gone through the job search process as well as talking about life after graduation. Then COVID happened.

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