School of Education & Graduate Studies

Meet the Dean

South Carolina poet James Dickey wrote, “And this is the house I pass through, on the way to power and light.”

I hope that you will find your studies at Converse to be that transition to power and light: the light of knowledge and learning that will empower you to go into your community and make a difference.

Those of you who have chosen teaching as your profession know how valuable your contributions are to the future of our country. Educating the next generation is the most important job anyone can ever have.  Your students’ futures and the future of our communities rest in your hands. Whether a bachelor’s degree, a Master of Arts in Teaching, a Master of Music, a Master in Education or an Educational Specialist’s degree, all of you are invaluable to improving and enhancing life for your fellow citizens.

The increased content knowledge of those in our MLA programs, the creativity of those in our MFA program, and the enriching community support of those in our Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Leadership programs also improve lives.  The light and power of knowing and caring shines out from all our graduates.

I wish you great success in your studies and in your careers.  The experiences you gain at and through Converse will provide you with the tools you need to build a strong and productive future.

Lienne F. Medford, EdD
Dean of Education and Graduate Studies; Associate Provost of Institutional Research and Accreditation, IAL