Going back to school isn’t easy—especially when you’re already teaching full-time. But for Leticia Harshman, the timing couldn’t have been better. A veteran educator and Carlow alumna, she jumped at the chance to join the university’s new EdD program. “I told my friend, ‘Three years are going to go by whether you do this or not. You don’t want to look back and feel like you missed it.’” Now, she’s deep into the program, energized by her learning, and already applying it in the classroom.
For years, she kept her eye on the university’s plans for a doctoral program—and when it launched, she didn’t hesitate. Leticia had no interest in going anywhere else. The relationships she formed, the quality of instruction she received, and the sense of belonging she felt at Carlow made the decision easy.
What made you choose Carlow for your EdD—and what was it like joining the inaugural class?
“About ten years ago, I got my master’s here at Carlow, and I’d been patiently waiting for the EdD program to be up and running. So when one of my friends, who’s now a professor in the program, told me it was ready, I couldn’t wait to apply. […] I even invited a friend from another district to do it with me. It’s challenging to carve out the time, but it’s absolutely worth it.”
What has your experience been like in Carlow’s online EdD program?
“I was hesitant at first—I’ve always preferred being in person, both as a student and as a teacher. But learning online has been amazing. It’s convenient, it’s seamless, and it works. […] I think of our cohort as a little community. We keep our cameras on, we talk all the time, we give each other feedback. Some of us live hours apart and never would’ve had this opportunity otherwise. […] You can’t learn if you’re not feeling heard and seen—and the way our professors run the class really makes that possible.”
Why did you return to Carlow, specifically, for your doctorate?
“I knew that going anywhere else was never going to be an option. The relationships you build here are just amazing. There’s a sense of belonging. […] I had a professor at La Roche—Dr. McMahon—who eventually came to Carlow, and I knew I wanted to follow that leadership. So when Carlow finally launched this program, I knew it was time.”
How has being a student again changed your teaching?
“After 23 years in the classroom, I’m realizing that to be a great teacher, I have to be a great student. […] Even after this program is over, I know I’ll want more—because I’m changing. And when I change as a student, I change as a teacher.”
What would you say to someone who’s thinking about going back to school—but is unsure?
“Learning at Carlow is a gift. If you don’t take that opportunity, you really are missing out. I told my friend, ‘Three years are going to go by either way. You don’t want to look back and wish you’d done it.’ And I know that because I’m doing it—and I’m 100% happy with that decision.”