Biography: After graduating from NNC in 1994, Dr. Curtis started teaching 7th grade English and Reading in Caldwell, Idaho. She taught middle school in that setting for 10 years, then moved to a brand new online charter school in Idaho, Idaho Virtual Academy. While at IDVA, Heidi taught middle school, was the testing coordinator, federal programs manager, and then middle and high school principal. While at IDVA, Heidi enrolled in NNU’s doctoral programs in Educational Leadership as a member of cohort 1. In 2013, NNU hired Dr. Heidi Curtis to work in Graduate Education. She became director of doctoral programs a few years later, and this is a position she continues to love.

What is your favorite thing about working at NNU?: I love seeing the transformation of students as they grow in their self-efficacy as a researcher. Everyone is nervous about doing a doctoral program and writing a dissertation. Walking students through that process step-by-step and seeing their progress in each season of the program is so rewarding.

Share a few facts about your specific area(s) of expertise that you bring to the classroom: All of my degrees are in Educational Leadership, having worked in both teaching and administrative positions throughout my career in K-12 education. Now, my expertise is in Qualitative research, research methods, and doctoral programs.

Share a few pieces of information that represent your teaching experience and why you love working with students: My relationships with my students start as professor-student, and then we become colleagues and friends. NNU’s doctoral programs are built with the success of the student in mind, and I love being part of helping students achieve their lifelong dreams to earn their EDD or PHD.