“Education is the foundation upon which we build our future.” Christine Gregoire’s words that I have come to appreciate throughout my higher education experience, as well as the beginning of my career. Education truly is essential to the future of not only individuals but also our entire society. My purpose for seeking the Higher Education specialization of the Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis (ERPA) is to expand my knowledge of research methods and procedures, particularly in the context of postsecondary education settings. I especially want to expand my understanding of educational policies and organizational administration. I realize the importance of gaining credibility among my future colleagues by gaining the competencies …show more content…
Moving and being that new student was second nature for my family and so many other military families. Everyone had different personalities and backgrounds, but we were in many ways the same. There were families from all over the world, and it was great hearing their experiences and being able to get different opinions on things since no two people had the same experience growing up. It wasn’t until college when I realized how lucky I was to have had a great variety of experiences and people around me. It truly helped shape me and prepare for the world. When I began college I started to realize that I wasn’t always going to be surrounded by people with vast differences in their background. Many times walking around or sitting in class I realized and could feel that I was different, and it was truly uncomfortable at times. I believe that diversity at universities is essential to student’s learning experiences. Diversity in Higher Education has been of interest to me since attending college, and understanding that variety can enable learning in many ways. I have personally experienced have this. It is my belief that diversity within the student population as well as the faculty and staff