The Next Generation of Higher Education Leaders
Stephanie Krusemark is following her dream at DU's Morgridge College of Education.
Stephanie Krusemark gets the education to fulfill her dream through DU's PhD higher education program.
Krusemark, from Stillwater, Minn., started off her college career by getting a bachelor's degree in art history and a master's degree in arts administration. But as her career progressed, she found herself angling away from the arts and working in higher education.
During this time, she began to question how universities compare to other schools and what kind of marketing and admissions elements motivate students to attend a certain school.
Then, she met Director of Graduate Admissions Janet Erickson at a conference. Erickson told Krusemark about DU's PhD program in higher education. It's the kind of degree that could provide answers to many of Stephanie’s questions or, at least, show her how to get answers to those questions.
A growing field
Erickson also told Stephanie about the growing field of institutional research, which documents the effectiveness and relevancy of curriculum, faculty and student success. Institutional research also plays a key role in planning, policy and decision-making at universities and colleges.
"I could see myself as an institutional researcher," she says.
Based on her conversation with Erickson, Stephanie applied and was accepted into the higher education program. She also received financial aid.
As a student, she's started researching a number of topics, including:
- graduate health admissions
- signaling theory in admissions
- socio-economic influence on college and careers choice
- performance ethnography in higher education
Stephanie also serves as a teaching assistant and a graduate assistant admissions coordinator.
While she may be busy, Stephanie is immersed in the education, research and work that will help her fulfill a dream.
"I would love to keep my dream alive and become a provost or president, leading a university overall," Stephanie says. "I'm a good dreamer."
Published on April 21, 2008