A-State doctoral candidate Tanya Ruble hails from Delight, Arkansas, a town immortalized in song by country music legend Glen Campbell, who also grew up there. She aims to make her hometown proud with a different kind of career achievement: improving STEM teaching and learning in Arkansas schools.
Tanya graduated in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, a minor in chemistry and plans to attend medical school. The birth of her daughter prompted a pivotal decision, however—to prioritize her new family instead.
“I wanted to make sure that I raised my family,” she said, “and didn’t want to be away from her.”
That change of heart led Tanya to an entirely different career. She went back to school in 1997 to earn education hours that would lead to her teaching certification and a faculty role at Arkadelphia High School, where she taught for two decades and founded the school’s AP science program and teaching AP chemistry.
Tanya’s dedication to teaching brought her to Arkansas State University, where she completed an online MSE in Gifted, Talented & Creative program in 2014 followed by an online education specialist program in leadership in 2019.
Tanya is currently the Science Content Director at Arkansas Aims, a statewide nonprofit organization aligned with the National Math + Science Initiative, where she champions STEM education for middle and high school students statewide.
Returning to A-State in 2022, Tanya enrolled in the online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program to continue developing her administrative and research skills. She’s using her dissertation as an opportunity to prepare for high-level roles in education while conducting research that empowers her to positively impact her academic community. She believes the work she’s doing at A-State could serve as a catalyst for change. “My dissertation isn’t just a requirement,” she said. “It’s a tool for improving STEM access.”.
Tanya cites A-State’s affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition and convenient online format as compelling factors when choosing her degree path. “I did look at other programs and honestly, Arkansas State had the most cost-effective program for me,” she said. The flexibility was also key. “I loved the fact that I could work at my own pace.”
Working closely with faculty throughout her doctoral program has been a rewarding experience for Tanya. She also made meaningful connections with fellow students in the program. “We all see that we’re on the same team, and so we encourage one another, and that’s been wonderful,” she said.
Discover What the Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Program Can Do for You
The CAEP-accredited Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State offers you the flexibility to develop new skills while continuing your career. Our 100% online coursework explores educational policy and the law, organizational theory and practices for ethical leadership. This writing-intensive program elevates your research and statistical acumen and prepares you to drive innovation in education.
A-State carries a strong reputation as a leader in education. Our faculty are invested in your future success and carefully design curriculum that is directly applicable to your career. You’ll gain valuable new insights by examining global education practices and the social, political and economic issues currently impacting schools.
The online doctorate in educational leadership program culminates with a dissertation that allows you to conduct impactful research and establish yourself as a sought-after leader in your field.
Benefit From a Supportive Online Learning Community
A-State online programs nurture your development at each stage of your academic journey. Our faculty, many of whom are former principals or superintendents, share their experience as they prepare you for professional success.
In addition to regular, one-on-one collaborations with faculty, you’ll have access to dissertation mentors, our online writing center and a statistics expert who can help refine your approach to data analysis and research.
The online career center at A-State is another fantastic resource at your disposal. Our career experts are available to fine tune your resume or conduct mock interviews that prepare you to confidently pursue new opportunities in education.
A-State Offers Online Programs to Fit Any Career Path
Explore our full range of education programs. Thinking of diversifying your skillset? Check out all our career-focused online graduate programs.