When Shelbi Hladik was deciding on where she wanted to go for her master’s degree, finding a quality school with a program that would fit her schedule were two major factors. Ultimately, she decided on Southern Nazarene University and their Master’s in Educational Leadership. 

“Southern Nazarene University was the right school for me because it allows for high-quality education and a layout that fits my schedule as a full-time teacher. I am able to devote one night a week to class, focusing on one course at a time. I will also earn my degree in under two years,” said Hladik.

Fitting class into her schedule is important for the second-grade teacher at Westwood Elementary in Stillwater. Earning a master’s degree will open doors for Hladik and give her many options for other positions in the future. 

“My degree in education leadership is preparing me for future opportunities in leadership positions. Within the first course of my degree, I was inspired to widen my understanding of the many facets of education from human resources to school finance,” said Hladik. 

The program at SNU has a diverse faculty that strives to create a welcoming environment for individuals to feel comfortable while sharing their experiences as educators. 

“The faculty at SNU is top tier through their diverse backgrounds in education. Aside from their expertise in the field, each faculty member shares their passion for helping each student to achieve their mission and vision of impacting the field of education,” said Hladik. “I was surprised to find the classes were centered on topics I enjoy. The assignments and conversations align with the experiences I am having in my current position. Therefore, meaningful conversations occur naturally with my peers. I am able to broaden my understanding of education and ultimately mold myself into a better educator.” 

Hladik said anyone interested in the Master’s in Educational Leadership program should stop wondering and jump in. 

 “I would say go for it. I thought I was going to wait until there was a point in my career that I was ready to start my master’s. However, the opportunity came earlier than I expected, and I decided to take the chance to get started. The classes inspire you to be a better educator and the best version of yourself.”