Superintendent Keith Gunuskey and the EdD in Leadership Studies from LSUS

When you’re a school district superintendent, time never really feels like your own. Add in serving on multiple community boards, leading local projects, and raising a family, and pursuing a doctoral degree might seem nearly impossible. But for Keith Gunuskey, graduate of the online Doctorate of Education in Leadership Studies with a concentration in Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management from LSU Shreveport (LSUS), the challenge was worth it. With the support of his family, the flexibility of LSU Online, and his own determination, Keith earned his EdD and discovered new opportunities to have greater impact as a leader. 

Meet Keith Gunuskey 

What were your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 
The biggest challenges were as follows: 

• Reacclimating to the world of “student work”—for example, learning APA formatting, improving academic writing, learning new technology tools, etc. Fortunately, there are many resources available online for self-teaching opportunities. 
• Budgeting time—Running a school district is a 24/7/365 position. Also being a member of multiple community boards (hospital, YMCA, fire company, family center), left me wondering if I bit off more than I could chew (and did I mention family time?). Yet, as I progressed through the program, I made time, mostly after my kids went to bed, in the late evening, when school programs and athletics had ended. I also have a very supportive wife (my “battle buddy”) who recognized that I needed time to achieve this goal. I would dedicate one full weekend day (Saturday or Sunday) to my studies, spending the other day with my family. 

How has the online learning experience differed from your expectations? 
As a public-school educator, I had believed that online learning was far inferior to in-person instruction, which made me hesitant at the beginning of joining the program. How was I going to form relationships with my classmates and teachers? How was I going to complete group work with classmates that live in different parts of the world? All these thoughts were running through my head and made me think that these hurdles were too big to overcome. Yet, I thought I would challenge my beliefs and give it a try. I quickly realized that relationship-building with classmates and teachers, although different, is attainable. Zoom meetings allowed me to network with teachers throughout the week, classmates were accommodating in setting up times to meet that overcame the barrier of time differences, and classmates met outside of class hours to share their thoughts about their classes, and, more importantly, to motivate and inspire each other. 

How did the program prepare you for your career or career advancement? 
The Doctorate of Education in Leadership Studies with a concentration in Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management program has made me a better leader overall. Although being a superintendent is the highest career step in the public education sector, I have been inspired to teach at the post-secondary level, to share my knowledge and understanding of effective leadership. As I will be retiring in five years, private organizations have reached out to me to gauge my interest in joining them to share my background and expertise. None of this would have happened without this program. However, currently, I am involved with three significant projects (building a new career and tech center for our school, building a new YMCA, and starting an ambulance company in my community) and the lessons I have learned in my doctoral program have given me the confidence to lead these huge community projects. 

Can you share a specific example of how you applied what you learned? 
The program has changed my life as I apply the strategies learned to my professional, volunteer, and private life. Yet, one specific example is the creation of the Wayne/Pike Career and Tech Center, where I have had to apply the leadership skills learned in this program to navigate the world of education, politics, and finance. 

What do you see as the biggest benefits of an online education? 
The three biggest benefits of online education are: 

1. the flexibility of the program,  
2. time savings, and  
3. the diverse backgrounds of classmates 

The flexibility of the program allowed students to choose a 2-year or 4-year path. This was an important offering, as students could complete classes at their comfort level. Next, the amount of time wasted driving to and from a university for class is eliminated. I found that I was able to reinvest this time savings back into my education, which yielded better (and safer) results. Finally, my past coursework involved classmates that had similar backgrounds to me. The online platform allowed me to meet and learn from classmates from around the world. This diversity led to a far better and more holistic experience. 

I would also be remiss if I did not mention the tremendous impact of the teachers within the leadership studies program. They are all experts in the field and super supportive of the students in the program. The teachers are difference makers in this program—they practice what they preach and are transformational leaders. 

How has the program helped you achieve your career goals? 
As a leader, it is important that your teammates see you as a credible resource. This program has given me the credibility and professional standing to give some weight to my decisions and vision. In addition, the program has empowered me to become a stronger decision-maker and strategic thinker, as I have learned to skillfully implement research-informed leadership. Utilizing these skills has helped and continues to help me achieve my career goals. 

Expand Your Impact with LSU Online 

Through his fully packed life, Keith Gunuskey shows that pursuing a degree while prioritizing your most important goals is possible with the right support and attitude. From balancing demanding professional and personal responsibilities to finding new opportunities for leadership, Keith has transformed his perspective on education and leadership through his doctoral experience. 

If you’re ready to expand your own impact as a leader, explore the online Doctorate of Education in Leadership Studies from LSUS, offered through LSU Online.