Amber Manning-Ouellette
Ph.D. Candidate, Education Administration
Degree: PhD Candidate in EAHE (Highest degree is MS Ed in Educational Psychology)
Major: Educational Administration
Hometown: Lanark, IL
Why did you choose to attend SIU?
Fell in love with the area and institutional history. SIU has a dynamic and beauty about it that drew me in, not to mention the faculty and staff I call my colleagues and friends.
What is your favorite class so far and why?
I really thrive in courses that challenge societal norms and comfort levels with peers. My favorites include gender, class, and sexuality focused themes (i.e. women in higher ed, college student sexuality, and philosophical foundations of education)
What if your favorite place to spend time at off campus?
First place: Cedar lake, love kayaking and the quietness of the lake and a close second place: Southern Illinois wineries!
What do like most about this program?
The diversity of the faculty and specialty areas.
What is the one thing you think students need to know about going to graduate school (in general or at SIU Carbondale in particular)?
Graduate school is a financial and mental commitment. Expect to make sacrifices in your life and be able to reprioritize your time. Find a mentor and someone to process your experiences with; sometimes you need validation. Remember, not everyone will understand your graduate student experience, it can be hard for others to understand your PhD process, which can make life frustrating at times. Finding support is very important.