Brittany Devies

Why FSU?

I originally decided to come to FSU for my master's degree. One of the reasons I came to FSU was for the plethora of graduate assistantships that would allow me to translate what I would be learning in the classroom to practice. The program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies prided itself on its emphasis on translating theory to practice. When deciding on a PhD program, I only applied to FSU because I knew I had so much more to learn from our nationally renowned faculty team. I also knew that FSU would support me holistically as a student and staff member in my studies and pursuit of a terminal degree. I am so thankful to have been a graduate student at FSU for the last six years.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

I decided to pursue a PhD after taking an outcomes and assessment course in my master's program at FSU. I found a new passion for using data to explain phenomena in our work. I liked being able to better advocate for students, our work, and our field by telling a data story. I also had big questions that I wanted to explore about the nature of our work and the experiences students were having on campus. I have been lucky in my coursework, assistantship, and dissertation writing to have gotten multiple experiences with research and analysis that will set me up well for my future career in academia.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

My dissertation explores how undergraduate women develop their leadership capacity and efficacy. Using narrative inquiry, I am qualitatively exploring why previous quantitative studies found that women have a high capacity for leadership but a much lower efficacy. I collected these women's stories through narrative submissions and interviews that paint a mosaic picture of how women learn and develop their early and current understandings of leadership. I am also analyzing essential implications for educators to consider when designing leadership development programs in the future.

Career aspirations

I intend to continue teaching leadership studies in my career and working in a higher education setting. I also hope that I am able to continue researching and writing about collegiate leadership learning. My graduate program has helped me cultivate a love of collecting data and weaving it together.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Look at the whole picture when considering graduate school. Why do you want to pursue the degree? Who do you want to pursue the degree with (look at the program faculty)? Is the coursework interesting to you and relevant to your future career? What does support look like for you in this new chapter, and will that program or institution provide that for you? Picking a graduate school is an important decision! Make sure to consider the whole package.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I published two journal articles, co-edited a book on women's leadership narratives, authored and co-authored ten book chapters, and presented thirty-three times at national and international conferences. I have also traveled to fifteen campuses nationally and internationally to present to college students on concepts around leadership development. Lastly, I received many awards such as NASPA New Professional and Graduate Student (2022); Florida State University Division of Student Affairs, STAR Award (2022); American College Personnel Association, Annuit Coeptis Emerging Professional Award (2020).