Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies

Students & Alumni

POLS students are ambitious and action-oriented. They come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, including teaching, school systems leadership, business, education technology, and government. What they share is a desire to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be effective leaders.

 

POLS cohorts bring together small, diverse groups of students to widen each other’s view of leadership in various domains of education. Peer learning and support form a key component of the program, modeling the connectivity and collaboration crucial to education leadership. Moreover, POLS students graduate with a network of connections that extends beyond the program year.

Our students

Willie Thompson headshot
Willie Thompson
Class: 2025
Areas of interest: People and Culture, Org design, Alternative Schooling, Intercultural Education
Victor Chan headshot
Victor Eliot Hua Hong Chan
Class: 2025
Areas of interest: Education Policy Implementation
Michelle Zhang headshot
Michelle J. Zhang
Class: 2025
Areas of interest: Liberatory Science Education, Racial and Environmental Justice, Student Empowerment, Community Care and Activism, Teacher Recruitment, Retention, and Burnout
Claudia Chang headshot
Claudia Chang
Class: 2025
Areas of interest: Leadership, School Change, Positive Education, Assessment, Student Feedback Practices, Lifelong Learning Competencies, Change Management, Data Management, Collaborative Partnerships, Culture Building, Socio-emotional Learning

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Field project

MEETING STUDENTS' WHOLE-CHILD NEEDS:SUPPORTING COMMUNITY SCHOOLS STRATEGIES WITH EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE

By Hellen Xavier Gomes de Souza

This report examines the implementation and effectiveness of community schools in California, New York, Maryland, and Florida, with a particular focus on strategic education governance and the role of community engagement in improving educational outcomes. The study utilizes the OECD Strategic ...

Peace by Piece

By Nesreen Ezzeddine

Growing up in a fundamental Muslim family, my exposure to socio-political discourse and narratives of conflict from a young age cultivated a deep awareness of geopolitical tensions and the harsh realities faced by individuals caught in the crosshairs of violence. Through these experiences, I gained ...

College Access: Low-income, high-achieving students feel lost during the college admissions process. What unique obstacles and opportunities do they face?

By Brandon Tineo

This project explores the unique challenges and opportunities faced by low-income, high-achieving students during the college admissions process. Building on my personal experience and background, I focused on identifying the key barriers these students encounter and provide actionable ...

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Life after POLS

POLS graduates are well prepared to lead in a wide range of roles and contexts. Alumni work in school and district settings, higher education, education philanthropies, corporate and educational recruiting, and government. Below are a few examples of positions held by POLS alumni.

Higher education

Assistant Dean of Students, Oberlin College
Native American Liaison, Stanford Undergraduate Admissions Office
Instructor, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

K–12 leadership

Assistant Principal, Noble Network of Charter Schools
Literacy Coordinator, Harlem Children’s Zone
Academic Program Manager, Summit Public Schools

School networks, districts, government

Data Analyst, Boston Public Schools
Assistant Budget and Policy Analyst, State of Oregon
Legislative Assistant, United States Senate

Educational intermediaries and ed tech

Instructional Design Specialist, Coursera
Program Manager, Reading Partners
Education Analyst, Emerson Collective

The Graduate School of Education’s EdCareers office provides career education and counseling, job listings, career fairs and other resources to GSE students and alumni. 

Visit EdCareers