Forest Hills School District Dean of Students, Librarian Pursuing Ed.D. at Point Park Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Meet Laura Miller
Job title: Dean of Students and Librarian
Employer: Forest Hills School District
Pursuing: Ed.D. in leadership and administration, individualized concentration
Degrees earned: B.A. in Journalism, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2004; Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Clarion University, 2010; and K-12 Principal Certification, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2012
Hometown: Sidman, Pa.
High school: Forest Hills High School
Now living in: Salix, Pa.
Hobbies/interests: Traveling, reading and spending time with my family
Twitter: @lalalauramiller
LinkedIn: Laura Mehall Miller
Why did you decide to pursue a doctoral degree in leadership and administration?
My decision involved a few different factors. The first is that I love to learn and believe very strongly in being a lifelong learner. But also, and just as important, is that it's hard to predict what education will look like in the next 30 years so I want to be as prepared as I can possibly be to make the field of education as strong as possible. The Ed.D. program at Point Park has given me the skills and knowledge I need to be an agent for change in education.
What factors made you choose Point Park?
I am a working mother of two young boys and like all working mothers, my schedule is full. Point Park designed an Ed.D. program that fits into my busy life and challenges me as a student. I was drawn to the two-year timeline, hybrid courses and the ability to teleconference from a location not far from home.
Tell us about your experiences participating in the program via teleconference.
I was concerned about how included I would feel as a teleconferencing student, but I have been pleasantly surprised with how much a part of the class I feel. The facilities at the Intermediate Unit in Altoona provide a great workplace and the technical support at both the IU and Point Park has allowed for a smooth experience.
I've also really enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with my classmates from across the state.
What career goals would you like to achieve with your doctoral degree?
I have two great loves in my career - curriculum development and teaching. Having my Ed.D. will allow me the opportunity to move into a director of curriculum position and teach at the collegiate level. Beyond that, I will be ready for any opportunity that comes my way.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I have taken some of the best classes of my academic career at Point Park, such as Organizational Development and Introduction to Research Writing. The faculty and staff are genuinely concerned with my success as a doctoral candidate, and they are invested in my research.
Also, the cohort design is an excellent one and my group members have truly become friends. My professional network has grown substantially.