When I went back to school two years ago, I went back with the intention of learning more about how to change the culture of an organization. I didn’t give any thought to my grades, I only wanted to learn so that one day, I could help to make the workplace a better place, for all.

It’s a lofty goal, learning to change the culture of work. Especially when comprised of so many different people with different experiences. Different ages, backgrounds, interests. Organizations are comprised of different units, each with its own culture and vocbulary, different goals and KPIs.

On April 16 I was inducted in Phi Kappa Phi. It’s the oldest all disciplinary honor society in the country. It was founded in 1897 at the University of Maine. In 1899 they admitted the first woman. I can’t believe that I’m a member. I can’t believe that the faculty at Penn State said, “I think Sara Schumann should be invited to join”. This is the first time that graduate students at Penn State have been invited. This is the first time that I’ve made honors. It’s also the first time that I’ve gone to school and worked full time, homeschooled a second-grader, was nominated for Supervisor of the Year, been a wife, and maintained a 4.0 GPA.

When I started school, I did it because I want to make work better, but I also did it because I wanted our daughter to see what dedication looks like, and what the outcomes can be. Since September of 2019, I have woken each day at 4:30 am to study. I’ve devoted entire Saturdays and Sundays to projects and papers.

On August 14, I will be graduating from Penn State University, World Campus, with a Masters in Professional Studies in Organization Development & Change.