Representation Matters as a First-Generation College student

Donna and a group of MA in Higher Education Leadership Students

A blog post from SOLES MA in Higher Education Leadership Ambassador Donna Soukantouy I am a first-generation, Laotian-American college student in the Master’s program of Higher Education Leadership. When I first started out the master’s program in SOLES, I pretty Continue reading

Presentation Opportunities

SOLES PhD in Leadership Studies Student Ambassador Derek Abbey Presenting

A blog post from SOLES PhD in Leadership Studies Ambassador, Derek Abbey. Presenting your work at professional and academic conferences is beneficial for a variety of reasons. As I have progressed through the PhD in Leadership Studies program at SOLES, Continue reading

Pare Down, Prioritize, and Sacrifice

A blog post from SOLES MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management Ambassador, Joseph Shumate There is very little in my life that I love more than bedtime. It wasn’t always that way. I remember as a young child rebelling against Continue reading

Balance is Beautiful

A blog post from SOLES MA in Higher Education Leadership Studies Ambassador, Mariana Ortega “Balance is Beautiful”- Miyoko Ohno Imagine waking up 15 minutes before work, you brush your teeth, get dressed and your commute to your office is 1 Continue reading

Grad School in my 50s

A vlog post from SOLES MA in Higher Education Leadership Ambassador, Catherine Northcutt. Catherine Northcutt, a graduate student in the Master’s in Higher Education Leadership program shares her experience as a graduate student in her 50’s. In the vlog below, Continue reading

Owning My Imposter Syndrome

A blog post from SOLES MA in Higher Education Leadership Studies Ambassador, Meredith Mendez. When I was accepted into USD, I thought the admissions committee had made an error in my acceptance. As I walked into my classes, I was afraid Continue reading

Laying out the welcome mat: Behind the scenes with a SOLES Ambassador

A blog post from SOLES MA in Leadership Studies Ambassador, Kalie Sabajo.  Hi everyone! My name is Kalie Sabajo and I am an ambassador here at the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at USD. I am about to enter the Continue reading

SOLES International Experience: How to Make it Your Own

A blog post from SOLES MA in Leadership Studies Ambassador, Molly Patrick Where should I go for my SOLES International Experience trip? I immediately asked myself this question after I was accepted into the SOLES Masters in Leadership Studies program.  I Continue reading

Preparing Your Statement of Purpose

A blog post from SOLES Ambassador and PhD in Leadership Studies, Elizabeth Castillo: photo credit: CC (Creative Commons) by Calsidyrose Pursuing a graduate degree requires a major intellectual, financial, and emotional commitment. To get the most out of your investment, Continue reading