As Lead Supervisor of Special Education at Intermediate Unit 1鈥攁n educational agency providing services to public schools in Western Pennsylvania鈥擲tephanie Paolucci has long understood the power of education to transform lives. Now, as a student in 麻豆精品鈥檚 inaugural Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership program, she鈥檚 gaining the tools, confidence, and scholarly grounding to expand that impact even further.聽
Designed for experienced professionals seeking to lead with clarity and conscience, Carlow鈥檚 EdD program offers a flexible, practitioner-focused pathway for those committed to driving meaningful change in their schools and communities. From day one, students are immersed in dissertation research, encouraged to explore questions that arise from their lived experience and professional practice. For Stephanie, that meant tackling one of the most sensitive and urgent challenges in education today鈥攈ow schools respond to students with disabilities who have experienced trauma.
In her own words, Stephanie reflects on what it means to be part of a leadership community rooted in ethical stewardship, compassion, and innovation:
Why did you choose Carlow for your EdD?
鈥淚 selected 麻豆精品鈥檚 inaugural EdD program because of its exceptional reputation and its deeply rooted commitment to educational innovation. From the very beginning, the program stood out to me for its focus on developing scholar-practitioners: leaders who not only think critically but also apply their learning in meaningful, transformative ways.鈥�
How has the program shaped your thinking as a leader?
鈥淓ach class, I find myself applying what I鈥檝e learned directly to my role as an educational leader. The program鈥檚 structure鈥攊mmersive, collaborative, and grounded in ethical stewardship鈥攕upports my growth in both scholarship and leadership. I truly feel like part of a cooperative leadership community that values diversity of thinking, compassion, and the re-imagination of educational systems.鈥�
What surprised you about the dissertation process?
鈥淐oming into the program, I expected the dissertation to feel overwhelming and intimidating. But to my surprise, I found myself genuinely excited about it. The way Carlow embeds dissertation work from the beginning and allows us to explore a topic that鈥檚 meaningful to us has helped me embrace the process rather than fear it.鈥�
What is the focus of your dissertation鈥攁nd why does it matter?
鈥淢y dissertation focuses on the use of restraints with students with disabilities鈥攁 topic that is both complex and critically important. In today鈥檚 schools, many students come with histories of trauma, and it鈥檚 essential that we create environments where they feel physically and emotionally safe. Students need to feel secure themselves but also need to see that their peers are being treated with dignity and care. Carlow鈥檚 program has given me the tools and the courage to explore this topic in depth.鈥�
How has learning alongside peers influenced your journey?
鈥淥ne of the most rewarding aspects has been learning alongside a cohort of passionate, insightful peers. The diverse perspectives and rich dialogue have deepened my thinking and helped me grow both professionally and personally. Leadership isn鈥檛 a solo journey鈥攊t鈥檚 built on shared knowledge, respect, and a collective drive to reimagine what education can be.鈥�
How does Carlow make a doctoral degree more attainable?
鈥淐arlow offers an incredibly valuable balance鈥攑roviding a rigorous, high-quality doctoral education at an affordable cost. I鈥檝e never felt like I had to compromise on the depth or quality of my learning, and that matters when you鈥檙e juggling a career, a family, and school.鈥�