West Virginia University is proud to be home to a community of forward-thinking, ambitious professionals who are working toward transforming the dynamic and impactful field of higher education administration.
Connor Ferguson is a graduate of WVU's Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration, and she has also been accepted to WVU's Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education. Fueled by a love of learning and a respect for the field of higher education, she shares her thoughts on how WVU's graduate programs in Higher Education Administration have and will continue to prepare her for a meaningful career in this niche field.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Connor Ferguson. I am from Frederick, Maryland and currently live and work in Morgantown, WV. I graduated from the MA in Higher Education Administration program in May 2020, and I am starting the PhD in Higher Education at WVU in August 2020.
I currently work at WVU in the Health Sciences Center Office of Research and Graduate Education as the Program Coordinator for health sciences graduate programs.
Why did you decide to obtain a graduate degree in higher education administration?
I always knew that I wanted to be involved in education and initially planned on teaching at the high school level. During my undergraduate studies, I worked as an Orientation Leader with the WVU Office of Admissions. It was through this experience that I realized I had a strong passion for sharing the wonders of higher education with students.
I was dedicated to supporting students and helping them with the transition to college, and so I decided to pursue a graduate degree in higher education administration to become knowledgeable in student success and support initiatives.
Why did you choose WVU’s Higher Education Administration graduate degrees?
WVU’s Higher Education Administration program provides a variety of opportunities for engagement and expansion of knowledge. The faculty specialize in diverse topics, which allow me to learn about topics that range from student development to policy and governance. I specifically was interested in studying student success at WVU due to its large rural student population and growing population of first generation college students.
The graduate programs in Higher Education Administration at WVU have direct links to graduate assistantships that provide the opportunity to gain more experience in the field throughout your studies.
What is your favorite thing about this program?
The coursework is designed to push your understanding and perceptions. We are often tasked with viewing concepts from a new perspective, which in term develops us to be better higher education professionals.
The MA in Higher Education Administration is online, which provides the unique opportunity to collaborate with peers who currently work at different colleges and universities. We all have such a diverse background of experiences within higher education, as professionals and as students, and this program created an opportunity for us to connect and learn from each other.
How has the WVU program encouraged you to become a better leader in this field?
The program has transformed me into a more confident person, as we are actively encouraged to participate and share ideas among our peers. Wanting to get more involved, I joined the WVU Higher Education Student Association and served as Vice President.
As I begin my journey through the PhD program, I will be serving as the President of the WVU Higher Education Student Association.
What changes have you noticed in how you lead or work with others since enrolling in this degree?
I have certainly grown as a professional. I notice this in my workplace environment, as I have grown to be a knowledgeable and trained professional in this field. Now, I often take the lead on initiating programs based on research that will better support our students.
Since enrolling in this degree, I have begun to seek out opportunities to collaborate with others. We have developed a network among higher education professionals throughout this degree, which provides a wonderful opportunity to be a life-long learner after graduation.
Has this degree affected your professional opportunities?
Obtaining this master’s degree has allowed me to move up the ladder in my career. The flexibility of the graduate programs in higher education allow me to work full-time and continue my studies. I am excited to continue studying higher education with the intent on earning a PhD in the field.
Note: To hear from another graduate of WVU's online master's degree in Higher Education Administration, check out Rachel's story.
Pro Tip: To learn more about the job opportunities for professionals working in higher education administration, check out — 9 Careers in Higher Education Administration.
Careers in Higher Education Administration:
Thinking about working in higher education administration? As a future leader in the field, you should be aware of the career opportunities that are available to passionate and leadership-focused graduates of a higher education administration program.
With this in mind, here are a few higher education administration jobs for driven professionals who pursue a PhD in Higher Education:
- Postsecondary Teacher — instructs students in a wide variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level
- Academic Researcher — engages in a variety of research initiatives related to higher education
- Research Specialist — conducts research and uses findings to impact the institution’s research initiatives
- Research Analyst — gathers data and uses that data to draw meaningful conclusions
- Professor and Associate Dean of Research — oversees classroom functions and conducts research to advise curriculum
Achieving a master's degree in Higher Education Administration at WVU:
West Virginia University is dedicated to preparing leaders in higher education administration who can challenge the status quo and positively impact the lives of others. You have the opportunity to advance your skills, transform your career, and impact change in the field by achieving a graduate degree in Higher Education Administration at West Virginia University.
If you are ready to pursue the graduate degree that will prepare you to do exactly that, we encourage you to connect with us today.
Jumpstart your higher education administration career; Download WVU's Higher Education Administration Guide.
