Education Alumna Keynote Speaker at Annual Summer Institute

NSU’s Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice held its annual Summer Institute (virtually) from July 14-16. The event saw more than 200 education doctoral students representing the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Colombia. The students were able to connect with one another, faculty, alumni and more.

Education Alumna, Shelley Cooper, Ed.D., served as both an adjunct professor and keynote speaker for the event. During her presentation, Cooper said she wanted to explain the importance of keeping an end goal in mind.

“What’s your endgame? What’s your goal? What’s your why?” she asked “What are you going to do with [your doctorate?] How are you going to change the world and how will what you’re doing make a difference for anybody?”

Cooper said that while she stresses the importance of keeping your eye on the prize and planning ahead, she also mentioned that it’s important to take some time to enjoy the moment.

“My experience as a student was: ‘I’m paying a lot of money. I have these objectives and goals, I have a timeline in mind… and the only thing between me and my objective is writing this dissertation and I just want to get it over with,’” Cooper described. “It wasn’t until the end of the experience … I realized, for four years, I really should have been enjoying the experience.”

Cooper earned her Doctorate of Education in Instructional Technology and Distance Education in 2014.  She is the founder of Diversity Telehealth, a telemedicine consulting firm that specializes in bringing healthcare to underserved populations in diverse communities.

During her studies, she attended four Summer Institutes and when asked how they were she used one word: “Amazing.”

“The interaction with the other cohorts and team members and the professors, just the whole environment was wonderful,” she said.

Cooper added that attending the event as a student and alumnus has brought the experience full circle and allowed her to better serve the students.

“I could see it from both sides, and I think that really makes a huge difference in helping the students have a successful experience,” she said.

Posted 08/14/22