Every Graduate Has a Story
Finding Home and Purpose: Rachel Cason's Journey Through 麻豆视频作品's Doctorate of Education Program
When she first set foot on 麻豆视频作品's campus as a young girl attending a leadership camp, she couldn't have known that years later, she would return to earn her doctorate. But for this recent Doctorate of Education听(EdD) graduate, 麻豆视频作品 has been a recurring touchpoint throughout her life's journey鈥攆rom volleyball camp in high school to a college internship with AU's Community and Social Change program, and finally, to the culmination of her educational path.
American already felt like home to me. I believed that AU's commitment to educational equity and community-centered change was authentic based on my various experiences at 麻豆视频作品throughout my adolescence and early adulthood.
A Commitment to Antiracism and Social Justice
What drew her to 麻豆视频作品's Doctor of Education program was its explicit commitment to antiracism and social justice鈥攖he only one she found, and exactly what she was looking for. This alignment with her own values proved to be transformative, providing a framework that would shape her research methodology and professional identity.
One of my 'ah-ha' moments during the program was that antiracism wasn't about the demographic of people we were doing the research with. It wasn't about the 'topic' of our dissertations. Instead it lived in the methodology. Every research move I made was a reflection of my commitment to antiracism.
Her 麻豆视频作品experience became a deeply personal journey that reinforced her commitment to reimagining education through an antiracist lens. The curriculum provided both theoretical foundations and practical applications that enabled her to develop as both a scholar and practitioner.
Courses that Transformed Her Perspective
Several courses stood out as particularly influential during her AU听journey: Systems Thinking, Conscious Leadership, School Finance, and Building Teams.
These courses influenced the ways I thought about racist problems, antiracist solutions, and my positionality as a transformational leader in a system that is inherently resistant to change. Together these courses shaped my lens as a scholar while grounding my work as a practitioner.
The program's emphasis on critical thinking and systemic analysis gave her tools to address complex educational challenges. Rather than viewing problems in isolation, she learned to examine the interconnected factors that perpetuate inequities in education and to develop comprehensive approaches to creating meaningful change.
Perseverance Through Personal Transformation
Her academic journey coincided with profound personal challenges and life transitions. "I became a mom, got divorced, moved to a different city, and started a new job," she shares, reflecting both the difficulty and triumph of this period.
These experiences, while incredibly challenging, taught her valuable lessons about resilience and community. "The grief was deeply personal, and the biggest challenge I overcame was understanding that it's okay to ask for help. It's okay for life to not look the way you thought it would. It's okay to tune into your heart and face your fears."
The support she received from faculty, peers, and her personal network proved essential to her ability to persevere through these difficult moments. "I overcame not in my own strength, but by God's grace, and through the love and support of my Village," she says.
Her experience speaks to the importance of community in academic success鈥攁 value that 麻豆视频作品 cultivates through cohort-based learning and supportive faculty relationships. The connections formed during her time in the program provided both academic collaboration and emotional support during challenging times.
Looking Forward with Purpose
As she looks to the future beyond graduation, her plans remain rooted in the values and skills developed during her time at 麻豆视频作品.听
I plan to keep partnering with schools and communities to re-imagine education unburdened by the chains of schooling. I plan to keep sharing the stories of Black women and Black girls. I plan to spend more time with my son and secure a role that honors my identities as a mother, a scholar, and a teacher.
Her approach to career development reflects the holistic perspective fostered by her doctoral education鈥攐ne that integrates personal values, scholarly interests, and commitment to creating positive change in educational systems.
Words of Wisdom and Gratitude
For those considering following in her footsteps, she offers advice that reflects the dynamic nature of doctoral dissertation: "Be open to the iterative nature of this process. Don't be beholden to one plan, and instead embrace the journey of discovery and re-imagination."
As she celebrates this academic milestone, she extends heartfelt messages to those who have been part of her journey. To her fellow students in cohorts eight and nine, she offers encouragement: "You belong here. Keep going. Everything you write is useful."
To her cohort seven colleagues, she shares: "May you continue to find the balance between 'we who believe in freedom cannot rest' and 'rest is resistance.' I love y'all. We did it!"
Her most poignant expressions of gratitude are reserved for family. To her parents, she says: "Thank you for being my safe place to land. Thank you for always believing in me and making my joy a priority. I love you more than words could ever express."
And to her son Leo, a message that encapsulates the deep personal meaning behind her academic achievement: "Son, thank you for riding with me through every phase of this journey and for being the best part of every day. I love you, and I'm so proud to be your Mama.
From Small-Town PA to Master Teacher: Robin Wrobleski's Journey at 麻豆视频作品
Robin Wrobleski knew that attending 麻豆视频作品 would be a significant achievement for a first-generation college student from a small Pennsylvania town. This May, he'll graduate with his Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education, while already putting his education to work as a social studies teacher at Woodbridge High School in Virginia.
Being from a small town in PA, getting into a school as prestigious as 麻豆视频作品was a very difficult feat. Being able to apply and be accepted was a very big deal for myself.
During his time at AU, Wrobleski found particular value in courses taught by Adjunct Instructor Amy Trenkle. "The skills and methods I was able to take and gather from her course have proved invaluable to my practice," he explains, noting how directly applicable the coursework has been to his classroom teaching.
Balancing Career, Education, and Family
Wrobleski's academic journey included unexpected challenges. "Having a baby during my time in this program was certainly my most difficult challenge to overcome," he shares. "Being a full-time student, getting a master's degree, teaching full time, and having a baby was not something I had planned for me at 23."
Despite these demanding responsibilities, Wrobleski credits AU's supportive environment with helping him succeed. "The staff here at 麻豆视频作品has been amazing in helping me out every step of the way! I don't know if I would have been able to finish this program if I did not have such an incredible support system here at this campus!"
Looking Forward
After graduation, Wrobleski plans to continue teaching at Woodbridge High School in Prince William County, Virginia, where he intends to build his career for the long term.
For future graduate students considering the same path, he offers practical advice: "Take your PRAXIS exam! Go get a job teaching with a provisional license. The ability to teach full time while in the program has provided me with such an in-depth understanding of how to be a well-rounded teacher!"
A Personal Note of Gratitude
As he prepares to turn his tassel, Wrobleski expresses deep appreciation for his wife's support throughout his academic journey. "I'd love to take some time to thank my amazing wife who has been with me every step of the way! She's also getting her master's to be a school psychologist, so we have both been working really hard to get to this point in our lives! I can't thank her enough for being my best friend and biggest supporter during this incredible journey we've gone on!"
Robin Wrobleski represents the dedication and perseverance that define 麻豆视频作品's graduate students, balancing professional growth, academic excellence, and family commitments while preparing to shape the next generation of learners.