From passion to professional credibility: The impact of SIT’s EdD
January 9th, 2026 | Alumni, Careers, SIT Graduate Institute
Looking to take your career to the next level? SIT’s doctorate in global education (EdD) provides an ideal opportunity for working professionals who want to rapidly accelerate their careers in education, both locally and abroad.
The degree combines rigorous online coursework with short residencies. Throughout the program, students receive expert guidance from SIT advisors who work closely with students on their professional research. Alumni go on to work in higher and international education and for government agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, and more.
“The biggest impact the EdD has had on my career has been the way it has granted me a level of credibility that I know that I earned,” says Dr. Anna Kelly, a 2024 graduate of the program who recently completed a year-long fellowship with GlobalEd and is currently designing an online course for the organization.
Read on to learn more about how SIT’s doctorate in global education has impacted Dr. Kelly’s career and what advice she has for prospective students.
What drew you to SIT's EdD in Global Education?
I found out about SIT Graduate Institute when I started leading youth programs for the Experiment in International Living. I became instantly enamored with the master’s in international education, but I was already halfway through a master of theological studies program at Vanderbilt Divinity School and told myself I couldn’t justify getting a second master’s degree immediately, so I tucked it in the back of my mind.
Fast forward to spring 2020, I graduated with my master’s during the pandemic. I knew that I wanted to pursue international education, but also knew that the field had just been completely destabilized by an ongoing global crisis. In that same period of time, SIT announced the EdD program. I remember opening the first program announcement email and knowing immediately that I was headed back to school.
I wasn’t looking for a doctoral program, but I desperately wanted to be a part of the SIT community. When this program was announced, it felt like the opportunity had been made for me. I didn’t apply anywhere else.
What were your favorite aspects of the program?
This is easy: the faculty.
Dr. Sora Friedman was my dissertation advisor, and the relationship that we built has been one of the most fulfilling of my career. She sees, understands, and encourages me honestly and wholeheartedly, and it’s been a gift to have our relationship transition from student/teacher to colleagues since I’ve graduated.
And my relationships with all SIT faculty have been invaluable sources of mentorship and opportunity. I’ve facilitated national NAFSA: Association of International Educators workshops with Dr. Friedman, published with Dr. Melissa Whatley, and presented at conferences based on other faculty recommendations. The faculty helped build my network, resume, and confidence far beyond the bounds of the EdD program. They showed me how to create a career in this field with not only guidance, but also genuine care.
Honorable mentions for my favorite parts of the program include my cohort members and the residency!
How has getting your EdD impacted your career?
Again, SIT’s EdD program helped me build my resume and my network, which continues to lead to new opportunities in publishing, presenting, and working on other ongoing projects. I just finished a year-long fellowship with GlobalEd and am currently designing an asynchronous course for their new online platform. I’ve published recently in the Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education, the Journal of Comparative and International Higher Education, the CEA CAPA Occasional Publication, and the IIENetworker. In addition to NAFSA, I have presented at The Forum on Education Abroad and the Comparative and International Education Society.
The biggest impact the EdD has had on my career has been the way it has granted me a level of credibility that I know that I earned. I appreciate the ability to be present in academic spaces, to publish on my own, to speak on panels, and to know that my voice is valued in our field. I feel empowered to chase my goals because I have the confidence and professional credibility that I built in this program.
And I truly have a network that has my back—SIT alumni are everywhere.
Another thing the EdD program did exceptionally well was integrating theory and practice. I feel very comfortable with the label “scholar practitioner.” I can do both, and I really value the ability to do both. I’m not sure exactly what the future holds, but I know it will continue to involve both my scholar and practitioner sides.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
This is the most important thing to remember about the EdD program, especially when it sounds scary: This is a three-year opportunity to geek out about something you love with people you admire. That level of attention and support isn’t something that’s widely available. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I spent three years discussing topics I was most interested in with experts in the field, and I received detailed, ongoing feedback about my thoughts. What a gift. I would go back in a heartbeat.