Graduate of CPS: Heather McMorrow
Doctor of Education
First Generation College Graduate
Three words to describe your experience at Northeastern:
Resilience, Innovation, Perseverence
Where do you consider home to be?
Home for me has always been fluid, shaped by my upbringing as an Army brat. From Washington to Germany, I learned early on to embrace change and connect deeply wherever I landed. Today, home is Massachusetts, where my life and career have flourished.
What has motivated you through your challenges?
My work is rooted in a belief that higher education—and all institutions, really—must recognize and invest in the people who carry out the day-to-day mission, not just those who set the vision or manage outcomes. My dissertation explored how critical expertise is transferred in the space exploration industry, and it reinforced what I’ve long felt: we overlook the value of seasoned professionals at our peril. I pursued this degree to influence how institutions function—not just in how they innovate, but in how they sustain. We need more leaders who recognize the long arc of contribution, who support implementers as essential to success, and who build systems that reflect empathy and intentionality. I chose operations because it is where care and clarity meet. I stayed with the program because I believe leadership should be courageous enough to ask hard questions, and grounded enough to make people’s work lives better—not for show, or for the bottom line, but because it’s the right thing to do.
What has this journey revealed to you about yourself?
This journey reminded me that persistence alone isn’t enough—you also need support. Years ago, I tried to pursue this degree while facing profound personal loss and grief relatively alone, and I wasn’t able to continue. When I returned, it was with the quiet confidence that comes from being surrounded by people who genuinely want to see you succeed. With a thoughtful and encouraging partner, a trusted circle of friends, and a deeper understanding of how I work best, I was able to complete this degree, even amid the challenges of my partner’s illness during COVID. I learned how essential it is to allow others to help carry the weight. This experience taught me that resilience is not about going it alone—it’s about knowing when to reach out, when to rest, and how to move forward with grace, love, and good company.
Tell us about the experiential learning aspect of your education.
I chose my dissertation topic while working closely with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), where I witnessed firsthand the urgency of knowledge transfer in aerospace. That experience shaped how I approached the research process—with humility, curiosity, and deep respect for the professionals who opened their doors to me. Interviewing engineers, program managers, and senior leaders from organizations like NASA and major contractors was more than academic—it was a masterclass in listening. Their stories revealed not just technical insight, but the emotional weight of expertise: the pride, the pressure, and the responsibility of passing it on. That collaborative spirit became a defining feature of my learning at Northeastern. It solidified my belief that systems and empathy must evolve together.
Where will you be in five years?
In five years, I want to be continuing to drive operational improvements that are deeply felt by those on the ground—whether in a university, government agency, or mission-driven organization. I see myself championing the use of thoughtful technology to reduce friction in everyday work and elevate the staff and student experience. My goal is to take the energy that has long been reserved for high-level innovation and channel it into implementation—creating systems that actually function well and make people’s jobs easier, not harder. I want to ensure that staff are not only equipped but respected; that leadership decisions are guided by the experience of those doing the work; and that we measure success not just by strategic plans, but by the clarity, care, and consistency people feel every day. That’s where transformation happens—and that’s where I want to be.
What else do you want to say?
I want to thank the faculty who took me seriously as a scholar, even when I didn’t yet see myself that way. And I want to recognize the working professionals who go through programs like this—often invisibly, while raising families, working full-time, or navigating enormous personal strain. We don’t always get featured in glossy brochures, but we carry forward the values that the College of Professional Studies stands for: grit, relevance, and real-world impact.
Connect with Heather on LinkedIn.
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