How UIC’s MESA Certificate Helped Neven Holland Get Into a Ph.D. Program

Neven Holland is a graduate of the online UIC Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment (MESA) Certificate program. Originally from the Chicagoland area, Neven is currently a 4th grade mathematics teacher in Memphis, TN, pursuing his Ph.D. in Education. In addition to his teaching role, Neven is a research assistant for a multi-institutional project on equity-centered leadership. 

As someone who has successfully navigated the MESA program at UIC, Neven offers valuable insights on how the program can help prospective students reach their academic and professional goals. He believes it is important to recognize your full potential and how the MESA program’s support system plays a crucial role in ensuring success.  

What led to your interest in the online MESA program? 

I wanted to explore how research could impact my teaching effectiveness and improve how my students learn and engage. I also recognized the need for more teachers with a research-based background and real classroom experience. However, I quickly realized that I needed to improve my research skills, especially in quantitative methods. I also noticed areas in my resume that could be strengthened. 

After earning my psychology degree, I entered the workforce and spent several years teaching before considering graduate school. When I decided to return, I realized Ph.D. programs often require recommendations from professors and relevant coursework. Since I had been out of school for years, I didn’t have recent academic references or applicable coursework. That’s when I started searching for programs that could help me gain the necessary research skills and educational foundation. One of the few research degrees that stood out was the MESA program at UIC. 

What skills did you gain or sharpen through your MESA program at UIC, and how do you use them today? 

The MESA program helped me build essential research skills, particularly in quantitative methods and design. One of my most impactful courses was Educational Psychology 509: Research Design in Education, where I developed a research proposal for the first time. I learned how to write a literature review and develop measurable research questions directly applicable to my goal of becoming an education researcher. 

Additionally, Dr. Smith’s Educational Psychology 503: Essentials of Quantitative Inquiry in Education course was incredibly valuable. Many statistical concepts I learned, like p-values, bell curves, and data analysis techniques, came up again in my PhD coursework. Since we used SPSS in that course, I was already familiar with the software when I entered my Ph.D. program, which helped reduce the learning curve and allowed me to get ahead on my projects. 

How has your MESA certificate program impacted your current position or position you’d like to attain? 

The MESA program played a crucial role in helping me gain admission to my Ph.D. program. Since I had little prior research experience, my undergraduate transcript alone wasn’t enough to demonstrate my readiness for graduate-level work. However, when my Ph.D. advisor reviewed my recent coursework, he was more interested in what I had accomplished in the MESA program than my decade-old undergraduate record. The strong grades I earned in my MESA courses gave both him and the admissions team confidence that I was prepared for the demands of a Ph.D. program. 

Beyond helping me gain admission, the MESA program gave me valuable experience in research methodology. Working with quantitative methods, especially statistical software like SPSS, takes time to feel comfortable. The coursework gave me that practice, so when I started my Ph.D. program, I felt more confident in my abilities. 

What challenges did you face during your program, and who or what helped you overcome it? 

One of my biggest challenges was balancing coursework with my full-time teaching job. I had to budget my time and finances strategically, so I couldn’t always take back-to-back courses. However, the flexibility of the MESA program allowed me to progress at my own pace without feeling pressured to finish within a specific timeframe. There was no advisor pushing me to complete everything in one year. I could take breaks when needed and return when I was ready. 

What advice would you give prospective students considering the MESA certificate program at UIC? 

Whether you’re looking to bolster your graduate school application or gain skills to boost your resume for the private or public sector, I believe the MESA program can help, especially if you have gaps in your research skills or are not a recent college graduate like me. I worked for six to eight years before deciding to return to school, and the MESA program helped me become a more competitive candidate for graduate school and future job opportunities. 

The MESA program, like any educational investment, requires planning. It’s essential to have a clear understanding of what you want this certificate to do for you and your goals before moving forward. I’m glad I took the time to do that.