MD education worker earns PhD, for free, through program

Towards the end of the week students across the peninsula will be saying goodbye to their colleges and universities.

One of them will be Paula Brown.

“I literally went next door to my bookkeeper and I said, “does this say for free?” Brown said when recalling the moment she found out that she was hand-picked to earn a doctorate degree.

“I had to jump on it because I’ve always wanted my doctorate degree but those who that have paid out of pocket know that it could span anywhere from 20 to 30 to 40-grand to get that degree.”

Through a partnership between Salisbury University, The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and the Maryland State Department of Education, Brown says her tuition was paid for.

All of it.

It was a part of the ‘Lower Eastern Shore School Leadership Institute’ which selected five education professionals from each of the five lower shore counties to further empower themselves and eventually others here locally.

“This institute allowed the individuals from the counties to participate in monthly leadership sessions at Salisbury University while also obtaining the doctorate degree in education leadership from The University of Maryland Eastern Shore.” said Brown.

Brown says that those graduating from the institute are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to make an impact on Eastern Shore Education.

“Most importantly, it allows us to have a certain knowledge-base when we’re working one-on-one with teachers as well.”

The now Dr. Brown tells 47 ABC that the new title and degree is already opening doors for her.

She says that prior to earning her doctorate, she was working as a school administrator in Worcester County.

Now, she holds a position in Cambridge as the Supervisor of science, health, physical education, and STEM for Dorchester County public schools.

Dr. Brown tells us that as far as she knows, the Lower Eastern Shore School Leadership Institute will not be continuing.