Cynthia Carter – MS LOD Executive and Professional Coaching
Cynthia Carter
What drew me to the MS LOD program was the focus of developing leaders who inspire change through authenticity and purpose. As someone balancing a demanding career with a major airline company and a growing real estate business, I wanted a program that would help me align my leadership with my values. The program exceeded my expectations by integrating theory with real-world practice, offering mentorship from dedicated professors, and creating a space where vulnerability and growth were encouraged. It didn’t just teach leadership—it reshaped how I show up as a leader in every area of my life.
As a young professional with an interest in the legal field, I came across UTD’s course on Mediation and Dispute Resolution. Nancy Boyle and Azure Brown were instrumental in why I enjoyed this class so much. The material was straight forward and digestible, but Nancy and Azure’s personalities, teaching styles and accounts of their experiences as mediators is where I learned the most. The program was well organized and balanced between course materials and mediation role plays with classmates. Overall, whether you are considering pursuing mediation, obtaining a Human Resource requirement, or you are just wanting to learn more about the art of mediation, I highly recommend this course.
I came for the Certificate in Executive and Professional Coaching and loved the experience and the learning so much that I stayed for a Master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Development! I especially appreciated the cohort model and working so closely with such incredible professionals.
My journey at UTD has been both personal and transformational. I moved from Orlando, Florida, unsure of my next step, but I knew I had a natural gift for leadership. While searching for programs that aligned with my passion, I found UTD’s MS in Leadership and Organizational Development program with a concentration in Transformational Leadership. As a full-time 5th grade teacher, the online format gave me the flexibility I needed while still offering a rich and meaningful experience. One of the biggest challenges I faced was being a young teacher, I often felt underestimated. I stayed committed to my students—and their growth and test scores spoke volumes. Those early challenges helped build my confidence and showed me the impact of staying focused and purpose driven. One course that especially stood out to me was Strategic Leadership with Dr. Anne Ferrante. Her course helped me think critically about long-term vision, systems thinking, and leading with both strategy and heart. It continues to shape the way I approach leadership today. Since then, I’ve moved to Chicago and stepped into a new leadership role supporting high school culture and student development. Now, just a year after teaching, I’m pursuing school administration with the goal of becoming a principal at Noble Schools. The MS LOD gave me the foundation and belief to lead boldly—and I’m just getting started.
Completing my EMBA HOL was truly transformative. This program provided foundational knowledge in the business of healthcare and I also gained a dynamic network of peers and mentors. The connections I made and the skills I gained have opened doors I never imagined and will continue to shape my career trajectory.
The learning experience was incredible, not just from the content perspective but the insights gained from real-world case studies and discussions with professors who’ve earned the stripes of experience. But the best part were my classmates. We came from all corners of the healthcare world, united by a common goal, and maybe a shared caffeine addiction! The friendships we built and the connections we made have been invaluable. I now have an entire network of brilliant people I can turn to.
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