Raymond Henry is a teacher at Longfellow Middle School in Enid, Oklahoma and a former soldier who loves teaching and being around his students. Thanks to the encouragement of a co-worker, Henry decided to help further his career by attending the Master of Leadership program offered at Southern Nazarene University.
“My assistant Superintendent and SNU alumni, Randall Rader, spoke to me about the cohort atmosphere. He explained how the classmates become a type of community, working together and drawing on each other’s experiences to become better educators and people,” said Henry. “I enjoy being around individuals that are dedicated to their profession, inspirational, and spiritual. Being around like-minded students has strengthened me in all of the same areas.”
Having the master’s degree will help Henry professionally as he navigates his career into new areas of possibility.
“This degree will allow me to help others through my dedication and experiences. There have been administrators in my professional career that have greatly influenced me. I just wish to pay that forward and support those future generations that I get the chance to help develop in their careers,” said Henry.
Henry experienced some uncertainty before entering into the program, but once he made that decision to follow through, he never looked back.
“I have a lot of anxiety issues from my time deployed with the military and was anxious about starting the program. This all changed after our first meeting. No longer did it seem like I was standing in front of my peers but standing with my peers and sharing in their support,” said Henry. “Being a virtual student on zoom, I still feel like a part of the class. I am able to take part and even build those connections with other students and professors that I really only thought an in-person student could.”
Henry said he would encourage anyone looking to expand their career and personal knowledge, to look into SNU and their master degree programs.
“SNU has been very supportive and professional from the beginning. The ability to take one class at a time has made it easier for me to divide my time between school, work, family, and faith. I believe that this was one of the greatest decisions I’ve made and would make again,” said Henry.
