GRADUATE ASSISTANT SPOTLIGHT - Ghada Itayem
Program: Higher Education Administration Ph.D.
Teaching Associate for the Leadership Minor at the College of Education and Human Development.
Graduate Research Assistant at School of Counseling Higher Education and Leadership Foundation.
As a doctoral student in the Higher Education Program, I am passionate and deeply committed to enhancing students’ collegiate experiences and creating more supportive and inclusive environments where students can thrive. I am driven by a steadfast commitment to access, equity, and inclusion. My research interests encompass critical thinking, students’ success, institutional assessment, policymaking, organizational development and change, and multicultural competency. After completing my studies, my overarching goal is to provide strategic and collaborative leadership that empowers institutions to foster student success, generate impactful research, and serve their communities.
Before beginning my doctoral program at BGSU, I accumulated over a decade of experience as a competent, devoted, and passionate educator, leader, and analyst. This was after obtaining my bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from Franklin University and a master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Toledo. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have gained invaluable experience in creating innovative student learning experiences in which I successfully bridge theory with practice.
I have been actively involved in teaching the Foundations of Leadership course of the Leadership Minor, where I combine my leadership experience and passion for teaching to shape the mindsets and capacities of the leaders of tomorrow who will create positive change within our communities. Furthermore, I dive into the literature alongside Dr. French, making a tangible impact on advancing knowledge. At the dissertation stage, I have focused on designing an intervention to enhance undergraduate students' critical thinking skills to provide them with an exceptional academic experience that nurtures their intellectual and personal growth.
In addition to my academic pursuits, I have had the honor to amplify the voices of our graduate students and genuinely advocate for their needs and interests in my role as the Academic Affairs Representative at the Graduate Student Senate. I am also excited about my forthcoming opportunity as a Falcon 2 Falcon Leader for the next academic year and the meaningful impact that we can make as a community of care!
In my free time, I enjoy spending more time with my family, talking to friends, reading articles and electronic news, playing cognitive games, watching mystery movies, traveling, and cooking.
I am deeply grateful to the individuals who supported me throughout this doctoral program, particularly my parents, children, husband, and friends! Additionally, I express my sincere gratitude to the Graduate College leadership and staff for their continuous support and inclusivity, as well as to the Executive Committee Members and Graduate Senators at the Graduate Student Senate! They have shown me unwavering support, trust, and respect! Thank you to all faculty members who acknowledged my excellence in teaching, research and service. Your support of my service and academic excellence had a critical role in my achievements of several awards, including the Best Graduate Poster Presentation at the Annual Symposium on Diversity, 2023-2024 Outstanding Research Assistant II, and 2023-2024 Graduate Student Senate SEC Member of the Year. I appreciate your effort in promoting an environment that expands students’ potential, challenges the boundaries of knowledge, and empowers us to thrive as scholars and succeed!
Graduate education is a transformative journey of courage, growth, and empowerment. Embrace this pivotal time with confidence in your abilities and the critical importance of your scholarship. Be resilient. We have got this! Nurture your ambition, lift each other, and change the world through your work. You are powerful!
