by Katie Filiakova, Ed.M.’24
It is still impossible for my mind to comprehend that my incredible HGSE experience is coming to an end, and while I reflect on my time here, I would love to share some amazing experiences that I’ve had.
I came to HGSE knowing exactly what I was looking for. My passion was, and still is, higher education, and I declared that concentration right away. The classes that I have taken as a part of the Higher Education concentration were truly transformative (and I am not saying that just because some of my professors may be reading this blog!). But in case they are, to Professor Fran Purcell and Professor Alexis Redding, thank you for equipping me with the tools I needed to succeed and promote student belonging and growth. I have developed a deep understanding of college student development theory and the current sociopolitical landscape of higher education in this country. I have a clear understanding of how different student groups experience higher education and I am ready to implement the tools I developed in class to better serve my students. I now also have a community of like-minded peers who are ready to support me in my journey to work towards a more equitable college experience for the next generations of learners. It is safe to say I got everything I came here for, and more.
Another outstanding classroom experience that I wanted to highlight is the classes I took with Liz City and Kathy Boudett. At HGSE, there is a variety of classes that provide instruction on both industry-specific content (like higher education) and skill development for any industry. The Leading Strategically and Coaching for Equity classes I took with Liz and Kathy fall into the latter category. I added tools into my toolkit that will allow me to have thoughtful conversations across differences, empower my team, lead with vision, and build capacity no matter which context I find myself in.
As a Higher Education concentrator, I cannot talk about my experience without mentioning the one-of-a-kind Presidents in Residence program. Have you ever had a former university president as your teaching fellow before? Me neither. Being able to have candid conversations with people who have dozens of years of experience leading a complex educational institution, learn about their successes and challenges, and use their example to inform my career planning has been a transformative experience that I am endlessly grateful for.
And finally, the experience that allowed me to share many of my stories on this blog is my Graduate Assistantship in the HGSE Admissions office. Although I had experience in higher education beforehand, I only worked with students who were already on campus. Learning more about what pathways students take before coming to a higher education institution has been crucial to my development as a well-rounded professional. I’ve had opportunities to assist with the admissions process, participate in welcoming events, connect with prospective and admitted students, and build skills I would not have gotten anywhere else. I have been surrounded by the most supportive team of experienced staff who always took the time to connect with me, offer advice and encouragement, and assist me in my future career planning. I truly hope our paths cross many times again!
Katie Filiakova, Ed.M.’24
HGSE Admissions Blog 