Harvard Graduate School of Education students and faculty emphasized the importance of selecting a dean who prioritizes global education and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration following the announcement of HGSE Dean Bridget Terry Long’s departure.
HGSE Academic Dean Martin R. West mentioned that the search for Long’s successor is pending guidance from Harvard’s Office of the Provost. He highlighted the forthcoming involvement of a faculty committee in the search process and the opportunities for input from staff and students.
West underscored the growing international interest in HGSE programs, indicating a need to enhance support for students within and beyond traditional classroom settings. He stressed the significance of addressing educational issues on a global scale, not solely focusing on domestic concerns.
Meira Levinson, a Harvard Professor of Education, emphasized the pivotal role the next dean must play in steering HGSE towards a positive future amidst global challenges to the value of education. She called for collective efforts from faculty, staff, and students to uphold a positive and inclusive vision for educational institutions.
Ellis E. Reid V, an HGSE doctoral student, highlighted the necessity for the incoming dean to effectively communicate amidst various threats to democracy. Reid specifically mentioned the campus tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict and the importance of aligning institutional values with students’ experiences.
As Harvard grapples with significant changes, master’s student Jordan M.A. Andrews urged the HGSE administration to consider the perspectives of minority students and create opportunities for them to engage with the evolving university landscape. Andrews reflected on the impact of former Harvard President Claudine Gay’s tenure and emphasized the need for inclusivity and support for students of color.
Ariel Tan, a doctoral student at HGSE, stressed the importance of enhancing collaboration between HGSE and other Harvard graduate schools to provide a holistic educational experience for future leaders. Alia Qatarneh, pursuing a doctorate in education leadership at HGSE, called for improved coordination between different programs within the school to bridge the gap between practice and research.
Qatarneh highlighted the parallel trajectories of practitioners and researchers within HGSE and emphasized the potential for impactful change through leveraging the passion and expertise present at the institution.
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