Twelve years in the making: Louters defends dissertation, earns doctoral degree

For the entirety of her tenure as NR-S Superintendent, Jill Louters has been working diligently to complete her doctorate degree in education.

She enrolled some 12 years ago at St. Mary's University when her youngest was just out of diapers.

When Louters made the decision to pursue a Doctorate of Education (EDD), it was in part due to the program's focus on issues of leadership. The program not only offered Louters the opportunity to conduct research, but the outcomes of her research would also have the potential to inform change.

Louters's dissertation, which is titled, "Women's transitions into superintendent positions in North Dakota," relied primarily on interviewing as a method of data collection.

Louters interviewed a total of nine female superintendents, which constituted 47% of the 19 sitting female superintendents in the state. Interestingly, Louters found strong demographic similarities among the subjects. Specifically, subjects tended to be white females who were serving rural districts and managing a family component at home.  

Another interesting similarity shared by the respondents was that each had previous experience as an elementary teacher, something with which Louters could also identify. That's right. Louters started her career in education as an elementary social studies teacher. 

Now eight years into her tenure at NR-S, Louters finds herself a part of an upward trend for female superintendents, particularly in North Dakota. The national average for a female superintendent tenure is three years. North Dakota's average is well beyond that, with an average tenure of 18 years for a female superintendent.  

Louters's research now gives future scholars the opportunity to ask additional questions, like "what makes rural North Dakota a unique setting for female superintendents?"

She also wants to encourage others to pursue their advanced educations, whatever the field might be. "All you need is a question that you are interested in learning more about. That's a growth mindset!"

Now upon completion of her advanced degree, Louters finds herself watching her oldest children make their way through their own collegiate degree programs. Currently, three of the four children are making an academic path of their own. Her oldest daughter, Lindsay, recently graduated from the University of Minnesota Crookston with a dual bachelor's degree in ag business and animal science. She has decided to apply to graduate school to pursue her master's degree in animal behavior management.

Alicia is pursuing her bachelor's degree at Concordia College in journalism and communication and plans to graduate in December. Her early graduation is due largely in part to the dual credit courses she took while in high school at NR-S.

Pieter is a sophomore, also at Concordia College. He began his college career with music in mind but is developing a strong interest in political science.

The youngest, Jacob is entering the eighth grade and is looking forward to Mom having a little extra free time.

St. Mary's University will be holding its 2020 commencement ceremony in October in Minneapolis. The Louters kids have already discussed a lavish celebration in downtown Minneapolis in honor of their mother's academic success.