Online Programs Student and Alumni Experiences

Jess Robbins: Understanding Trauma-Informed Practice

Aug 28, 2025 2:30 pm271 views

Jess Robbins is the first-ever graduate of the Trauma-Informed Practices & Pedagogy (TIPP) online Ed.M. at Illinois. She heard about trauma-informed practices through professional development and was instantly curious to learn more. Initially, she pursued a graduate certificate but when the new Ed.M. program became available, she knew that this program would be right for her. Now she's taking what she learned back to her own Tolono, Illinois, classroom to improve outcomes for her students.

Allie Reno: Empowered to Provide High-Quality Education to Every Student

Jan 7, 2024 1:00 pm16 views

Allie Reno, of Chicago, says her online master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Education at Illinois has given her the ability to implement the skills and knowledge learned throughout the program in her classroom to be the best teacher possible for her students today and for years to come.

New Scholarships Available for Education at Illinois Online Ed.M. and Ed.D. Students

May 15, 2023 3:30 pm116 views

The College's Offices of Online Programs and Advancement are pleased to announce two new scholarships specifically designed for online students in Ed.M. and Ed.D. programs.

Precious Hills: Flexibility and Accessibility Keys to Success

Jan 12, 2023 1:00 pm228 views

Precious Hills, of Albany, Georgia, says two factors were the difference in making her online Ed.D. in Diversity and Equity in Education (EPOL) experience a practical success: program flexibility and ease of accessibility.

Naureen Rashid: Phenomenal Faculty a Difference Maker

Oct 17, 2022 4:00 pm88 views

Naureen Rashid completed her online Ed.D. in Diversity and Equity in Education (EPOL) while being a new mom and working as a university administrator. The support, encouragement, and continuous guidance from College of Education at Illinois faculty made it possible.

Ahlam Hassan: Being Valued as an Online Student

Oct 4, 2022 9:45 am147 views

Meet Ahlam Hassan from Orland Park, Illinois, who has several irons in the fire and is pursuing her online Ed.D. in EPOL's Global Studies in Education program. She says so far, her online program has exceeded her expectations—which is high praise, coming from this capable and accomplished individual.

Brandon Brockhouse: Advancing His Future at His 'Dream School'

Oct 3, 2022 3:00 pm102 views

Current doctoral student Brandon Brockhouse chose the online Ed.D. in Human Resources Development (EPOL) because it aligns with his career goals. And because he's thrilled to be part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, his "dream school."

Juliana Sandri: Gaining Perspective and Persistence

Sep 20, 2022 1:00 pm97 views

Alumna and Brazilian Juliana Sandri completed her online Ed.D. in Human Resources Development (EPOL) while working in a high-level government position. While not easy, she says doing so allowed her to get the best of each perspective.

Armando Madrid: More Opportunities to Advocate for the Marginalized

Sep 12, 2022 12:30 pm80 views

Californian Armando Madrid finished his online Ed.D. in Diversity and Equity in Education (EPOL) from the College of Education at Illinois and now, he says he has a seat at the table to advocate and elevate the experiences of marginalized communities in higher education.

Steven Ovares: Equipped to Best Serve All Students

Sep 11, 2022 9:00 pm128 views

Steven Ovares completed his online Ed.D. in Diversity and Equity in Education (EPOL) in 2021. Now, he says he's applying the knowledge and experience he gained through the program in myriad ways that benefit his community and school.

Isaac W. K. Thweatt: Empowered to Lead and Guide

Sep 10, 2022 12:30 pm128 views

Isaac W. K. Thweatt is pursuing his online Ed.D. in Diversity and Equity in Education (EPOL) and says the coursework "empowers me as an institutional advancement leader to coach and guide fellow fundraisers, Board members, and volunteers on how to best connect to our institution and to one another."

Marlee Bunch: Finding Her Scholarly Family

Sep 6, 2022 12:00 pm240 views

Marlee Bunch is nearly finished with her online Ed.D. in Diversity and Equity in Education (EPOL) and plans to spend the fall of 2022 preparing for her final doctoral defense. She describes her Ed.D. experience as "worthwhile, challenging, and incredibly transformative."

Sydney Schwaller: Exploring Diverse Avenues in Education

Jul 14, 2022 12:00 pm99 views

Sydney Schwaller is currently pursuing a Master's of Education (Ed.M.) in EPOL with a concentration in Global Studies in Education. Prior to starting her online graduate program in the fall of 2021, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwuakee in Spring of 2021 with a Bachelor's of Arts and Science degree in International Studies and a minor in Spanish.

Mark Brandin: Growing Academic Roots While Teaching Abroad

Mar 8, 2022 12:00 pm99 views

Mark Brandin, Ed.D. ’21 EPOL, is originally from Northbrook, Illinois, which is the geographically closest to campus that he has ever been. His teaching career began as a third-grade teacher in the U.S. Territory of Guam.

Erin Mills: Support That Engages and Transforms

Aug 31, 2021 12:00 pm62 views

Erin Mills is a Secondary International Baccalaureate History teacher at an international school in Uruguay. She is currently in the doctoral dissertation sequence, pursuing an online Ed.D. with a double concentration: Learning Design and Leadership (primary) and Diversity and Equity.

Spencer Long: Insights Translating to Immediate Impact

Aug 24, 2021 12:00 pm52 views

Spencer Long, Ed.D. ’21 EPOL, is already applying what he learned during his Learning Design and Leadership doctoral program to his professional role as the Senior Director of Member Education and Development for Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at the national level.

Teresa La: Equipped to Create Impactful Learning Experiences

Aug 17, 2021 12:00 pm38 views

Teresa La, Ed.M. ’22 EPOL, earned her online master’s degree in Human Resource Development. She is as an instructional designer in the healthcare industry, working with subject matter experts to develop eLearning courses and training programs through a variety of eLearning authoring tools.

Joshua Lewyckyj: Innovation That Reaches All

Aug 10, 2021 12:00 pm59 views

Joshua Lewyckyj, Ed.D. ’21, EPOL, has taught AP U.S. History and Global Studies for eight years at Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, New York.

Keith Hinds: Understanding How Organizations, Teams, and Individuals Are Successful

Aug 3, 2021 12:00 pm68 views

Keith Hinds, M.Ed. ’13 EPOL, is an author, speaker, and practitioner with experience in forming and managing training departments and business units within Fortune 500 and Fortune 150 companies.

Lisa Brown: Fulfilling Both Career and Academic Interests

Jul 27, 2021 12:00 pm176 views

Lisa Brown, Ed.M. ’09 EPOL, Ed.D. ‘21 EPOL, has worked in instructional design and training management for the U.S. Army for over twenty years. The now two-time College of Education alumna completed her doctorate with a concentration in Human Resource Development.

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