Higher Education in CSHPE: Ph.D. Ambassadors
Concentrations | Progress Toward Degree | Ambassadors
Ambassadors are current students and alumni who have agreed to answer your questions about CSHPE. Please contact any of the students or alumni listed below if you are interested in exploring the program from a student’s point of view.
If you have general Higher Education questions, please contact the CSHPE
program directly. Remember: To help us alert you to recruitment events
and the latest admissions updates, be sure to also fill out a graduate
program inquiry form
.
Current Students:
Brett S. Alpert (Ph.D., Organizational Behavior and Management, 2005 cohort)
alpertb@umich.edu
Hi! Originally from Southern California – I spent 4+ years in the private sector before heading back to school to pursue a career in higher education administration/leadership. I decided to apply and accept admission to the University of Michigan’s Higher Education Program after learning of its: long-standing, strong reputation in the field; vast array of course offerings; large core of well-regarded faculty members with diverse research interests; and long list (roughly 50 years worth) of successful alumni.
Looking back now… I couldn’t be happier with the decision I made to attend UM. I have broadened my research interests and knowledge in the field of higher education, am more prepared to fill a variety of leadership roles, and have made professional and social contacts that I am confident will last a lifetime.
Geisce Ly
(Ph.D., Organizational Behavior & Management (2004))
geisce@umich.edu
I have three primary career interests: 1) to be a university administrator; 2) to be the executive director of a leadership institute; and 3) to be an executive coach.
I chose CSHPE because of its research intensive focus, self-directed philosophy, and countless resources to help me achieve my goals.
Everybody here (students, staff, and faculty) is a resource and they've been very supportive, helpful, and motivating. In fact, I've been able to gain other relevant work experiences by asking questions and pursuing various leads (i.e., writing curricula as a educational consultant, facilitating UM's leadership trainings and challenge programs, coordinating social events for the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs). In short, by diversifying my experiences and broadening my skills and knowledge, I will be more well-rounded when I become a university administrator.
Karen Moronski
(Ph.D., Public Policy in Postsecondary Education, 2007 Cohort)
moronski@umich.edu
I'm originally from Buffalo, NY and received my Ed.M. from the University of Buffalo and a B.A. in Mathematics from Daemen College. My research interests are K-16 policies, how academic preparation affects college access and persistence, and the impact of financial aid policies.
I love it here at Michigan – Ann Arbor is a great town, CSHPE is an excellent program, and I have an awesome cohort. What makes this such a great program is the people. The numerous opportunities to collaborate with faculty and other students on research projects have greatly enhanced my research abilities. The diverse backgrounds of my classmates bring interesting perspectives to our discussion of higher education issues. My advisor, Ed St. John, constantly challenges me to do research that will truly make a difference (which is one of the main reasons I came to Michigan). Michigan has exceeded my expectations and I have no doubts that I made the right decision in coming here.
Pelema I. Morrice, M.A.
(Ph.D., Independently Designed Program, 2006 Cohort)
pmorrice@umich.edu
After several years as an assistant director of admissions I decided to return to graduate school and pursue a doctoral degree. At the conclusion of my studies I hope to accomplish two main goals: effectively lead and direct the admissions operations of a college or university and bridge the gap between sound educational research and effective practice in enrollment management. Thankfully the University of Michigan and the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education have provided me with the tools to accomplish these goals. As a current student I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our program and I sincerely hope you consider the joining our educational community.
Molly Ott
(Ph.D. in Academic Affairs & Student Development, 2005 cohort)
Hi, my name is Molly Ott and I am in my fourth year of the CSHPE doctoral program … After earning my bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame, I was a business technology consultant for several years then made the switch to higher education. My master’s degree in Educational Policy & Leadership is from Marquette University and prior to entering CSHPE, I worked in student affairs at Alverno College and DePauw University. I chose this doctoral program for a combination of personal and professional reasons. When I visited the program after being admitted, the collegiality and openness of the faculty and students made me feel extremely comfortable. The strong working relationships and friendships that I’ve developed since have definitely reinforced my initial sense of fit. Also, the Center’s emphasis on research – both in coursework and in assistantships – was a key factor in my decision, as was as the opportunity to take advantage of Michigan’s amazing courses and faculty expertise in the social sciences writ large. My research interests relate to the sociology of higher education, including issues of stratification and inequality, and I’ve found many opportunities to challenge myself about these questions at Michigan. I am confident that my classes, summer research work, and especially the experiences I’ve had working as a research assistant to Jan Lawrence and Steve DesJardins have prepared me to begin my dissertation and re-enter the workforce either in a faculty or full-time research capacity.
Alumni Ambassadors 
