Suzana Peterson

Suzana Peterson is an online educational leadership and policy studies doctoral student from Lake Bluff, IL

Hometown: Lake Bluff, IL

Class of: 2024

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
Growing up, I knew I wanted to be in education, supporting and leading public schools. I am now 48 years old, and I have earned, from NIU, a master’s degree in accounting with a CSBO endorsement, as well as my Ed.S. in educational leadership and policy. I am working on the final chapter of my dissertation, and I plan to defend in September, thus earning my Ed.D. in educational leadership and policy studies. David Snow, my counselor, has been exceptionally supportive in guiding me, as I am a first-generation American and first to attend and graduate with such high-level degrees. I have been in education for 26 years now; I have accomplished my childhood dreams. As I have attended NIU, I have begun to dream bigger, in hopes to support policy and senior-level public K-12 school districts in ways that bring equity in access to those students who are in need of greater levels of support.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My work has been in the superintendent preparatory program, CSBO endorsement, master’s in accounting and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies because I am a firm believer in the promise of pursuing happiness as a United States citizen and the weight of being a contributing member of our society. I love this country; it is the greatest in the world because you can do anything you set your mind to here. My mission is to use public education as a platform to promote citizenship responsibilities, increase problem-solving capabilities, and provide resources and support to our educators and our students with a focus on equity in access. NIU has used its policies and platform to do just that; as a product of an NIU education on several levels, I can personally speak to the pride I feel in the evolution of my skills and habits of mind through my NIU educational experiences.

Have you conducted your own research through Research Rookies, Honors capstones or theses or any other faculty-guided research opportunity?
Yes

Tell us about the research you are doing and why it interests you.
The research I have been engaged in centers on meeting all students and educators with opportunities to learn and grow in their access to content and high-level exercises in research and problem-solving, using both qualitative and qualitative data, to provide our students with the highest level of rigor, expectation and opportunities possible in public education. An excellent, well-rounded education that prepares someone for a global market, equipped with the skills and knowledge to lead systemic change in the world, is my current dream. This dream was born, without question, from the rigorous questioning and research guided by my NIU professors.

How has conducting research strengthened your education and experience at NIU?
Conducting research has strengthened my education and experience at NIU in that my curiosity has been fueled by new skills in finding and critically evaluating data. I am empowered to be a much wiser consumer of information. I have a heightened level of confidence in my abilities to gather and disaggregate data, as well as an increased aptitude for evaluating community insights.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
My research has already helped educators and students, and I will be afforded more opportunities to use the knowledge I have gained. By studying self-efficacy theories, conducting research for my doctorate and superintendent degree and endorsement, and exploring the impact of learning management systems in conjunction with a focus on research-based best practices in public school district fiscal management, I’ve learned that there is no limit to how my research can support my goal of bringing a higher level of educational rigor, as well as open new pathways in regards to equity in access to current and future educational organizations.

Who at NIU has been important to your success doing research and why?
Dr. Dan Oest, Dr. Lynn Gibson, Dr. Kelly Summers and Dr. Tiffany Puckett have been instrumental in my success in engaging in research. They are compelling communicators who have mastered the art of imparting wisdom, asking questions and being high-level research clinicians. I would not have exceeded my expectations in the goals I set for myself regarding being a practitioner and evaluator of research methods and in gathering, evaluating and synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data.

What advice would you give to an incoming student as it relates to research at NIU?
My advice to incoming students as it relates to research at NIU is to be open to the process of research and to remember that the greater purpose of your pursuit of education at NIU is to increase your ability to access, evaluate, discern and analyze data to bring a better and deeper understanding of your area of interest to others. NIU will provide you with every possible opportunity to explore and grow through the research process; it is up to you, incoming NIU student, to take those skills and new information to others; to pay it forward so that we, as educated consumers of information, can bring research-based best practices to the areas we are passionate about.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I have found several aspects of my studies at NIU surprisingly pleasant. I knew that I would learn and grow at NIU. What I did not know is that I would graduate a different person than the person who enrolled. I have made lifelong friends; the students in my courses have become lifelong thought partners. I have found inspiration through my engagement with my professors; I have made decisions that have changed the trajectory of my life because of the insights and passionate curiosity my professors fostered in me.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
In both my online/remote and on-campus/in-person courses, I engaged with exciting, fun, innovative and passionate people. The diversity of students and professors truly enriched the learning experience. With so many different points of view and such a wide variety of personal experiences, learning about each other and the content we explored together was a thrill. I have connected with people who have changed my outlook on many topics and made lifelong friends and thought partners.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The College of Education faculty, especially Dr. Dan Oest, Dr. Lynn Gibson, Dr. Kelly Summers, and Dr. Tiffany Puckett, as well as my counselor, David Snow, made me feel safe, supported and successful. Every NIU staff and faculty member has been beyond generous in sharing information, advising about options and resources, and offering considerations I had not been aware of or had not fully considered in my decision-making.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
Dr. Dan Oest, Dr. Lynn Gibson, Dr. Kelly Summers and Dr. Tiffany Puckett have been my favorite professors because they were passionate, dedicated, artful masters of their areas of expertise. They facilitated engaging and thought-provoking discussions in class; they guided their students to deeper levels of inquiry and exploration while helping them engage with each other in thoughtful, meaningful dialogues. Most of all, these practitioners, with real-life experience in the areas in which they mentored and taught their students, brought a priceless understanding of practice and implementation.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Attending class regularly benefitted my learning experience in that I could ask clarifying questions and hear my professors’ and classmates' thoughts and perspectives while engaging in reflective, thought-provoking discussions. All of the assigned coursework was relevant to my current work and operated as a springboard for insightful, engaging discussion.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
If you are searching to find yourself, your people and a school that will support you in exploring your areas of interest, consider applying to NIU. NIU is an academic home to people worldwide; the diversity here is like no other. NIU will be an excellent choice whether you are seeking higher learning via remote/online learning or on-campus/in-person learning. You are making one of the most important decisions in your life. You are deciding where to spend your time and your money, and you are entrusting an educational institution to expose you to information and learning experiences that will enable you to compete in a global labor market while also honoring your mental and physical health and welfare, in addition to surrounding you with peers and professors who will inspire you to reach your fullest potential as a professional and as a person. You can trust that NIU is an excellent choice.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me because I view a college-educated person as someone who has the basic skills to navigate a global labor market successfully and has prioritized their self-actualization by investing their time and money to establish the habits of mind and acquire content knowledge so they can live their lives with the highest level of integrity and commitment to their goals.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
Firstly, and most importantly, approach everything in life like it happening for you. Prioritize your mental and physical health and your relationships. No matter what you gain, earn or have, you’ve got nothing without these three things. Embed a gratitude practice in your daily life. Find time to celebrate successes. Find time to reflect on areas that you want to see improved or changed. The mastery of time management is a critical executive-functioning skill. The competing demands of family, work and friends requires prioritization, meticulous planning and organization, the ability to pivot and adjust to changes/updates due to external factors, a laser-like focus on priorities, and scheduling the time and resources to meet the expectations of those demands.

Ask yourself the following questions: 

• What do I value?
• What is my mission?
• How can I live those values?
• How can I live my mission?
• What do I need to do to put myself in a position to have access to the people, positions and resources to live my values and mission?

Start the plan (three-to-five-year plan, one-year plan, six-month plan, three-month plan, one-month plan, weekly plans, daily plans in four-hour increments). Make sure to embed daily, weekly, monthly and annual SMART goals. Follow your plans and check your data. Ask yourself:

• Are you meeting your goals?
• Have your goals changed because you have new information?
• What has prevented you from meeting your goals?

After identifying those obstacles, make a plan to overcome them. Follow your plans. Rinse. Repeat.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
NIU does a fantastic job of communicating events and available services. I rely on current NIU's frequent and detailed communications to stay informed about events and services available on campus.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
To relax and recharge I engage in:

• A spiritual practice every day
• Daily meditation
• Daily writing/journaling
• Eating in a way that shows my body I love and respect it
• Daily Pilates practice
• Family dinners
• Playing with my kids
• Visiting with family and friends several times a month
• Spending time outside every day

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I have been in public education for 26 years. I have had the pleasure and privilege of supporting faculty, staff and students in private and public K-22 education as a dean, assistant principal, principal, chief school business official, director of teaching and learning, and director of human resources. I aspire to a superintendent in this next stage of my career.

What has your experience as an online student at NIU been like? What advantages have you found in completing your courses entirely online?
My experience as an online student at NIU far exceeded my expectations. Initially, I was concerned about the level of rigor of online degrees in general; I was especially concerned that I would feel less engaged. I had never considered an online degree until I investigated NIU’s online offerings; I couldn’t miss the opportunity after hearing such amazing feedback from NIU online alumni I knew personally and professionally. NIU’s online courses are widely known to be rigorous and engaging and are actually a better learning modality for me. Online learning takes the commute time and transforms it into efficient learning time. Online discussion posts, virtual courses with both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities, as well as VoiceThread, have modeled for me new ways I can engage with my colleagues and teams at work.

What is your number one tip for students thinking about online education?
As you carefully consider your options in continuing your education, please be sure to seriously consider online education. Firstly, it is the way global citizens and those competing in a global labor market learn and share information. Secondly, it allows you to learn in a setting and at a pace that you customize. Thirdly, it is the most efficient use of the most valuable, entirely nonrenewable resource there is: time. My number one tip is to set time in your daily/weekly schedule to build in time for your coursework — think of it like a standing meeting with an important client.