I applied to the MAED program at MSU just a few weeks after an unimaginable act of violence shook our campus community. Innocent lives were lost, and fear and grief reverberated across every corner of the university. In the days that followed, campus leaders were asked to make some of the most difficult decisions of their careers while processing their own trauma. I remember thinking how unfair it was to expect someone’s greatest moment of leadership during one of the lowest moments of their life.

All of this came on the heels of a global pandemic that had already disrupted our sense of normalcy. Our vibrant learning communities moved into Zoom rooms, and the traditions that shape our campus identity were canceled or altered beyond recognition. We hadn’t yet figured out what post-COVID higher education would look like when yet another crisis turned everything upside down.

The question - what are we going to do? - became the motivation for applying to graduate school. I wanted to earn a seat at the table and ensure my voice, backed by education, experience, and credentials, could contribute meaningfully to reimagining what higher education could become.

The most important goal I set when applying to the MAED program was to develop the tools and insight needed to help my institution respond to future challenges with strength and clarity. As I wrote in my original goals statement:

"I know that it is more important now, than perhaps at any other time, to have invested leaders who are equipped with the necessary tools to move our institution forward."

That goal has remained central throughout my journey. As I knew when I applied, the opportunity to learn from P–12 educators and immerse myself in an online learning environment would challenge me to grow as a thoughtful and strategic leader. By stepping into the role of learner and engaging with perspectives different from my own, I’ve gained new insight into what it means to lead with empathy, resilience, and vision.

Whether the topic was leadership, finance, history, or technology, a consistent theme emerged across the MAED program: the decisions we make, and how we communicate them, reflect our values and shape the communities we serve. As I continue to grow professionally, I will carry this lesson with me. In moments of uncertainty or challenge, I’ll return to this foundation, striving to make decisions that center people, build trust, and move our institutions forward with integrity and care.