Are you passionate about shaping the future of higher education? Imagine having the flexibility to pursue your dreams while balancing work and life responsibilities. That鈥檚 where an聽online master鈥檚 degree in higher education聽comes in, offering a pathway to personal and professional growth.
Bailey Gagnon, resident director of聽Alpha Hall聽at 糖心传媒, recently completed the聽聽program through聽糖心传媒 Online.聽She now mentors and leads students from various backgrounds, and her online degree has led her to excel in the higher education field.
Bailey Gagnon鈥檚 Experience with the Program
Gagnon finished 糖心传媒鈥檚 online higher education program in December of 2023.
鈥淚t is so cool to think about how my education fit my experiences at the time,鈥 said Gagnon. 鈥淭his was a big goal of mine, and God helped me finish it!鈥
Gagnon enrolled in the聽 program in 2021 when her former resident director, Hannah Navarro, encouraged her to apply for the assistant resident director position. Gagnon was serving as a resident assistant under Navarro and knew she wanted to continue serving on the residence life team.
鈥淚 have a passion for serving others, and being an RD requires a master鈥檚 degree, so I knew 糖心传媒鈥檚 higher education program would be a good fit,鈥 said Gagnon
Gagnon accepted the position as the assistant resident director for Indiana Hall and Beta Hall. After serving there for a year, she became the resident director of Alpha Hall. As she progressed through the program, Gagnon went through many seasons of life, from her senior year of the聽accelerated dual degree program聽to her first semester as a resident director.
鈥淚 experienced the program from different perspectives,鈥 said Gagnon. 鈥淪tudying felt very applicable to what I was experiencing in each stage of my life.鈥
One of her favorite parts of the program was being able to choose assignment topics that interested her.
鈥淭he freedom of the program allowed me to make the degree my own,鈥 said Gagnon.
She often chose to study Generation Z, which has been helpful since she seeks to serve and relate to students in the generation. Through a course called The College Student, Gagnon learned the importance of knowing student鈥檚 passions, beliefs, and personalities in order to better serve them.
One of Gagnon鈥檚 favorite parts of her position as a resident director is watching students engage with who they are throughout the year. 鈥淭he position has given me the ability to see firsthand how students progress and grow,鈥 Gagnon says.
Genevieve Goldsmith, a first-year resident in Alpha Hall,聽 is one example. Goldsmith and Gagnon鈥檚 friendship developed through an event called 鈥淏racelets with Bailey.鈥 At the event, Gagnon noticed Goldsmith鈥檚 genuine care, intentionality, and God-honoring personality. Next year, Goldsmith will serve as a RA under Gagnon.
鈥淏ailey has been such a great friend and leader to me,鈥 said Goldsmith. 鈥淚 have been able to come and just talk, and she will listen. Bailey brings light to my life. I am blessed to know her and call her my friend.鈥
Gagnon鈥檚 higher education degree has allowed her to build relationships with both resident assistants and residents and to shape dorm culture across campus. Looking ahead, Gagnon knows she is equipped for whatever her career has in store.
鈥淭he higher education program has laid the groundwork for my future,鈥 says Gagnon. 鈥淚 now know, both relationally and administratively, how to complete tasks and prioritize relationships within the educational landscape.鈥
What else can you do with a higher education degree?
Although the Master of Higher Education program has benefited Gagnon鈥檚 position as a resident director, this is not the degree鈥檚 only application. The higher education program equips students for jobs such as:
- Student affairs administrator
- Dean of students
- Director of campus activities
- Campus chaplain
- Campus ministries director
- Learning center coordinator
- Career services representative
If you are passionate about leading students and making a great impact, the higher education program is for you.
Learn more聽about the Master of Higher Education online degree program.
