Jared Crist
Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration
Education Policy, Planning & Leadership
- 2024, William & Mary, Doctor of Philosophy, Higher Education Administration
- 2018, Virginia Commonwealth University, Master of Education, College Counseling and Student Affairs
- 2014, Virginia Commonwealth University, Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy
What kind of educational and professional experiences did you have prior to beginning this degree?
Before joining the Education, Policy, Planning, and Leadership (EPPL) program, I was working full time at a small private college in such areas as student affairs, disability accommodations, student success, and strategic planning. I am still in this role while pursuing my Ph.D. part-time. Before applying to the EPPL program, I completed an M.Ed. program at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education College Counseling program. My professional and academic work have both been student-centered, focused on holism, with an eye on viewing education as a systemic continuum of development.
As a student pursuing a doctorate in Higher Education Administration, why did you choose this field and what motivates you in this work?
I was a very involved student at the undergraduate level and came to love working within the postsecondary environment. This instilled in me a desire to work with and support students just like I was supported. I want to create the best possible experience for students so that they can get as much out of their collegiate journey as I did from mine whether this means working with a student one-on-one, delivering meaningful programming, developing just and supportive policies, or collaborating to strategically design student-centered systems.
What do you hope to be doing after graduation? In 10 or 15 years?
Upon graduation, I hope to be working either in higher education administration or in policy development and implementation. Eventually, I aspire to work with legislatures to address opportunities for growth in the education field and possibly working within the United States Department of Education.
Why did you choose to apply to William & Mary and specifically to this program? What sets this degree program apart from those offered at other colleges?
Upon completing my master's degree, I knew that I wanted to pursue a doctoral program. The William & Mary School of Education's Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration checked all of my boxes. There was flexible scheduling, robust co-curricular opportunities, and a reputation for academic rigor. During an initial tour of the school, I had the opportunity to meet with faculty and students and to attend a launch for the most recent addition of the William & Mary Education Review. The stories shared by the students and the friendly welcome from the faculty confirmed that this was the program I wanted to join. My experiences as a student with the EPPL program have continued to be exemplary.
What has been the most influential experience you've had so far in your program?
It is truly difficult to say what has been the most influential experience in the program thus far. Each class I have taken has been led by knowledgeable and approachable faculty and has covered content that is fascinating. I have particularly enjoyed higher education finance, law, and education policy classes. The combination of this coursework has provided a rich view of education that goes beyond the classroom and the office. I feel that they have given me the tools to understand and navigate education as a social system. The research coursework has also been wonderful. Having only limited exposure to research prior to the program, the quantitative and qualitative research sequences have done an amazing job preparing me to begin work as a researcher.
Is there any additional information you would want a prospective student to know about the School of Education and its degree programs?The faculty of the School of Education are unlike those at other institutions. Their commitment to not only providing excellent classroom experiences but also acting as mentors and resources to students is beyond compare.
