Our Students Speak

Dana Mitchell Barnes is currently attending A&M-Commerce to receive her doctorate in Educational Administration.  This past January, she received the Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration Graduate Research Exchange Outstanding Paper award for her study, “Dennis Littky, the Educational Activist: Can His Model Revamp the Public Educational System?”  She received her award at Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)/TCPEA conference in January 2013 and was published in the School Leadership Review.

Even though Dana has moved away from Commerce, she decided to participate in the first cohort of the Educational Administration online doctoral program.  Due to the diligence and personal contact of her professors and their belief in strong relationships, Dana has found an academic home with A&M-Commerce.  Her doctoral committee includes Dr. Maria Hinojosa, Dr. Katy Denson and Dr. Chuck Holt.  Their strong conviction that each student deserves personalized attention is prominent throughout this program.

Dana has also been able to fulfill this lifelong goal due to the support of Dr. Chadwell, Superintendent, Dr. Lowell Strike, Deputy Superintendent, and Mr. Darrell Brown, Chief Learning Officer of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD in Texas.  “I believe in continuous improvement, not only for my teachers, but for my staff, and especially for me.  If I quit learning, I do a disservice to my kids.  They deserve better.  The constant support of my superintendents, the guidance of my professors at A&M-Commerce, and the knowledge that I can provide for my students keeps me going.”  Dana will graduate with her doctoral degree in summer 2014.