Alumni Spotlight: Emily Carpenter, Associate Vice President for Experiential Impact
Looking back on her doctoral studies at Northeastern, Emily Carpenter recalls Dr. Crocker. “She was one of the highlights of my time in the EdD program. I am still inspired by her vision and enthusiasm for social justice and action research.” A 2024 graduate, Carpenter is now Associate Vice President for Experiential Impact at Nazareth University and has been an influential advocate for experiential education throughout her career. With a Doctor of Education (EdD) from Northeastern University, which she completed in 2024, Carpenter’s work focuses on integrating experiential learning into higher education to enhance student outcomes.
From Rural Beginnings to Higher Education Leadership
Carpenter’s journey began in rural New York, where she grew up on a farm. Her experiences as a rural college student shaped her dissertation, “Strengthening Rural College Student Career Development.” She highlights that rural students often face unique challenges similar to those of first-generation students. Her dissertation emphasized the need for institutions to recognize and support the specific needs of rural students to ensure fair outcomes compared to their suburban and urban peers.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Carpenter discussed how important experiential learning is for rural students. By providing them with hands-on opportunities like internships, community engagement, and study abroad, Carpenter believes institutions can better prepare students for the workforce and improve their academic success.
Experiential Learning: The Key to Student Success
“Experiential learning,” Carpenter explains, “is one of the few things that can check so many boxes for students.” At Nazareth, she oversees initiatives in career services, internships, community engagement, and international programs. While Nazareth is much smaller than Northeastern, the two institutions share a strong commitment to experiential learning. She highlights that experiences outside the classroom, like internships, can be transformative for students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. “When done well, experiential learning doesn’t just build skills; it gives students a sense of belonging, a way to connect meaningfully with their campus and community.”
Carpenter emphasizes that experiential opportunities must be accessible. Recalling her own experience when she needed a car to complete an internship, she knows that many students face logistical challenges that can impede their access to these opportunities. “Making sure that every student, whether rural, suburban, or urban, has equitable access to internships and hands-on learning is critical,” she asserts. This commitment to inclusivity is a theme she carried forward from Northeastern’s EdD program, where she learned the power of action research and the importance of addressing social justice issues directly.
A Lifelong Advocate for Learning
Although the EdD summer residencies were cancelled due to COVID-19, Carpenter found a strong sense of community online among her peers, building friendships and connecting deeply with classmates around the world. “I was surprised by how connected we became, even online. It showed me that genuine collaboration can happen anywhere,” she reflects. These connections not only enriched her doctoral journey but also reinforced her resolve to make higher education inclusive and impactful.
In her role today, Carpenter continues to build frameworks to support students at every step of their journey. “I want our services to be structurally unavoidable,” she explains, noting that students who may not naturally seek out career services, often those balancing jobs or other responsibilities, should still have these resources baked into their experience. “The goal,” she emphasizes, “is to ensure no one falls through the cracks.”
Looking Ahead
Carpenter’s path from rural student to university leader is a testament to her belief in the transformative power of education and hands-on learning. Through her role at Nazareth University, she is not only shaping student experiences but also embodying the values of social justice and equity that guided her through Northeastern’s EdD program.
