Professor’s passion for teaching strengthens Ed.D. program

Sally Winship, professor in the School of Education, enjoyed a long and diverse career in higher education before landing at Baker University.

She’s served university and community college settings as a faculty member, program director, dean, and currently holds vice president emerita status at Johnson County Community College.

“I’ve always loved teaching because I learn as much as the students learn,” said Winship. “I believe that the more education that you have, the more opportunities are open to you: more choices for employment, achievement, and personal and professional growth.”

That love of teaching drew her to Baker, and Winship quickly found a home in the Baker community.

“Baker university is committed to excellence,” Winship said. “Baker is student focused and provides so many opportunities and tools for students to be successful in developing their individual talents.”

Winship is the coordinator of Baker’s Ed.D. in Leadership in Higher Education program and also coordinates the directed field experience, a feature she believes sets Baker’s program apart.

“The directed field experiences give the candidates opportunities to network and be mentored by leaders in prestigious universities and colleges,” said Winship. “They get to shadow different positions to see if that’s the direction they want in the future.”

Put simply, according to Winship, the directed field experience is hands-on learning. Doctoral candidates assist in significant and varied leadership responsibilities with a field mentor. Students learn to make connections between theory and real-world leadership practices.

It connects back to Winship’s passion for teaching and the focus of her efforts: her students.

“I want our graduates to have the most up-to-date information and critical thinking skills so they can be successful in all situations that they encounter in their jobs,” Winship said. “I want the students to be academically prepared, but also learn real-life situations from active practitioners in the field and understand the current and future trends that they will be dealing with.”

For Winship, having a hand in the student-learning process is its own reward.

“I enjoy watching people learn and have those aha moments,” she said. “That’s when they begin directing their lives by recognizing their talents and using tools and strategies to help themselves, their families, their coworkers, and their community.”

Her excitement for student learning spills into every aspect of Baker’s Ed.D. program.

“Baker University provides an environment for students that is supportive, challenging, and life changing,” Winship said. “Faculty are hired that are highly respected and credentialed and who are national leaders in education. The faculty are provided the tools to support innovative learning. Every day I’m excited to work with professional colleagues and dedicated students!”

Baker University is accepting applications for the Ed.D. in Leadership in Higher Education cohort that starts in August.