Student and Alumni Profiles

Dawn White, Student, Low Residency Program

I chose to return to Lesley for my graduate work because my experience as an undergraduate in Lesley’s Learning Community Bachelor’s program was so successful.  During my four years of undergraduate work and beyond I lived in the British Virgin Islands.  The remote nature of where I lived combined with a demanding work life made this type of undergraduate program most attractive.  Five years later, although now living back in the U.S., on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, I am running a small women’s boutique on my own and once again found that the Low-Residency Option in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program the right fit for my academic needs.  Within both programs, the ability to self-design or customize my program, semester by semester, has enhanced the value of my education to me while making it no less relevant to the outside world.  It has always been important to me to achieve traditional higher learning degrees.  The Lesley’s Learning Community Programs and their exquisitely well chosen faculty, working with me in a mentor-like capacity, have facilitated that goal for me through an alternative model of learning geared toward my needs as an adult learner.
    
I came to my master’s program with a background in developmental psychology.  My undergraduate work was primarily focused on family systems and women’s development.  My master’s work has mainly focused on the psychological development of women and girls as well as social and cultural contexts within which women and girls are marginalized.  I have studied theories of adolescent development as well as researching and writing about the cultural phenomenon of “virginity pledging” as it relates to the self-esteem of girls.  I have studied the development of midlife transition for women by writing about the work I do in my own shop with women around body image.  I have recently completed a semester’s work on how the media portrays women through a piece on the historical context as well as a large body of work on how the media portrays women who are victims of violent crime.  This work has translated into a social action project in conjunction with several domestic violence organizations in Massachusetts and Virginia.

While my degree will be in interdisciplinary studies, I will have a strong background in women’s developmental psychology, women’s studies and transformative learning.  I have recently been hired as adjunct faculty for Eastern Shore Community College to teach Women’s Studies beginning in their Spring ’07 semester.  I will also be writing the course.  The benefits of a lot of hard work and an exceptional education have only just begun!

Eileen Reed, Alumna, Low Residency Program

"For over thirty years since my graduation from a hospital-based nursing school and becoming a registered nurse, I dreamed of earning a Master's degree. But first came work, marriage, children and divorce, then an overwhelming desire to finish the studies that I had worked on sporadically when time and money were available, which meant one course at a time. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in management/communication through Lesley‚s Learning Community Bachelor's Program. My experience was incredibly positive- the faculty and students were highly intelligent and welcoming, the administrator of the program was very well organized, and the food almost too good. 
 
I found the program fit perfectly with my lifestyle. During my time in school, I worked full-time as a registered nurse in a job with long, fluctuating hours. With the residency, I could go away for a week, leave work and home behind, focus on me, and what I wanted to learn. I was interested in continuing a broader education, one that included the arts and humanities, not just the science of nursing. I applied to the Interdisciplinary Studies Low Residency Program and in two years, I earned an Advanced Professional Certificate in Integrative Holistic and my Master's degree.  My final project was a business plan for a wellness center entitled: Goodenough Wellness: The Creation of an Integrative Holistic Health Practice.  Some of my classes included the relationship between humor and healing, spirituality and healing, art and healing, and holistic approaches to pain and stress. My journey through the Master's program went as smoothly as the Bachelor's, guided by expert faculty, administrators, and advisors. I highly recommend both programs to others who have full lives and a love of learning. I did it! You can, too!"

Nancy Schaad, Alumna, Low Residency Program

"Lesley University's Interdisciplinary Studies Master’s Program has offered me the chance to study areas not offered by other schools or music conservatories.  I"ve been able to combine my passion for music and the mind, body and emotions with adult learning and the upcoming Boomer population’s interest in healthy aging.  The White House Conference on Aging 2005 has just recognized my area of study, so I am excited to see if my research can be of help to their work."

Leila Heron,  Alumna, Low Residency Program

"As an American woman living and working abroad, I have been very happy with the flexibility of the LCM format, the stimulating curriculum, the excellent faculty, and the diverse and interesting student body.  In my opinion, the program is ideally well-suited for individuals with varied professional backgrounds seeking to pursue graduate studies in a supportive environment that recognizes a wide range of talents and skills, and accommodates work/family commitments. In my case, I have a business background in high technology and business development and am currently studying Non-profit Management and International Studies in the LCM program."

Amy Heath Carpentier, Alumna, Main Campus Program

"As an Interdisciplinary Studies student, I integrated former graduate work in Buddhist Studies with courses in intercultural relations, medieval women's history, ecopsychology, and religious studies to construct a concentration in Women's Studies and Religion. In my thesis, I explored the evolution of the devotional cult of Saint Brigid of Kildare, Ireland through a feminist theological and ecological lens. In the process, I translated sections of 8th century Latin/Old Irish hagiography and discovered a passion for early Irish history.

The Interdisciplinary Studies program is unique because students can investigate a wide range of interdisciplinary concentrations under the umbrella of one program. The cross-fertilization of ideas between students with different concentrations was an unexpected gift. I valued the student-driven, individual approach, which allowed me to build on the solid foundation I already had rather than expecting me to fit into a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Even though Lesley does not have a religious studies department/program, I was able to collaborate with faculty to customize individual paths through their courses that fit my academic goals. This program allows students not only to investigate subjects that are outside of the academic mainstream, but also to bring innovative approaches to those within it."

Samara Hoyer Winfield, Alumna, Main Campus Program

"The Interdisciplinary Studies Program at Lesley University has been a wonderful match for my academic interests in the fields of Intercultural Relations and Education. I have been able to design my program around my fieldwork in West Africa and in Boston Public Schools. The supportive staff at Lesley helped guide me through my studies, teaching me how to incorporate my academic research with my professional goals. In addition to the dynamic staff are the students in the program who are from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds all lending new insight and perspective to my academic experience at Lesley. I recommend this program to adults who are looking to earn their Masters in a self-designed program that fits their unique academic and professional goals."

Judah LeBlang, Alumnus, Main Campus Program

"Lesley's Interdisciplinary Studies Program provided me with an opportunity to tailor my studies and to focus my work on my particular area of interest-creative writing. Through the program, I deepened my exploration of geographical place and setting in my work, and compared my use of setting to other writers' techniques. My thesis consisted of a collection of short essays, memoir pieces and short stories. With the help of several Lesley faculty members, including my thesis advisor-a working writer-I was able to hone these pieces and to publish several of them. I strongly believe that my time in the program enabled me to become a more confident and productive writer."

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