Hendersonville — Jan. 7, 2014 — 51社区 Hendersonville celebrated the graduation of its first two Doctor of Education students at the fall commencement ceremony Dec. 14.
Carla Cushman and Jan Baldwin, who both started the program in February 2010, were outstanding students and leaders in their field, said Charles Lea, executive director of 51社区 Hendersonville.
鈥淭he professors had high expectations for us as learners, and I know that I have walked away with a sound education that will continue to support me in what I do,鈥� Cushman said. 鈥淯nion professors are truly dedicated to the students who attend this university.鈥�
Cushman, who works for the Tennessee Department of Education, said she does not plan to use her degree to launch a new career. Instead, achieving her Ed.D. had been one of Cushman鈥檚 long-time personal goals.
鈥淩egardless of what this degree can do in terms of opening doors and avenues career-wise, it has already done for me what I wanted it to do 鈥� and that was getting the satisfaction of getting this degree,鈥� Cushman said. 鈥淚 know that I鈥檝e walked away with a sound education that will continue to support me in what I do.鈥�
Baldwin said she also plans to remain in her current leadership position at a private Christian academy in Nashville. Her goal for achieving this degree, she noted, is to serve students and lead faculty more effectively.
鈥淚 pray what I鈥檝e learned will come down to benefit each individual child that I work with 鈥� that my education won鈥檛 be self-absorbed but will be given away to children,鈥� Baldwin said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 go to school to change positions. I got my degree to become a better leader for students.鈥�