Dr. Laura Link - College of Education (COE)
Dr. Laura Link
Associate Professor, Teaching and Leadership | University of North Dakota
Degree: Ed.D. Leadership and Policy Studies ('14)
Current Title: Associate Professor, Teaching and Leadership | University of North Dakota
Why did you choose the University of Memphis for your studies?
After spending several years as a K-12 educator and moving into administrative roles in Tennessee, I was drawn to the University of Memphis because of its reputation for preparing educational leaders who could make real-world impact. The doctoral program in Leadership & Policy Studies offered the perfect blend of rigorous scholarship and practical application that I needed as a working professional in Shelby County Schools. What truly sealed my decision was meeting the faculty and discovering their commitment to supporting practitioners who wanted to bridge the gap between research and practice. The program’s flexibility allowed me to continue my work as Assistant Superintendent while pursuing my doctorate, and the cohort model meant I would be learning alongside other dedicated educators facing similar challenges in Memphis-area schools. The UofM felt like a place where my passion for improving grading practices and educational leadership could be nurtured and developed into meaningful research that would benefit students and teachers far beyond Tennessee.
What's a favorite or meaningful memory from your time here?
My most treasured memories center around the incredible advisement I received from my late dissertation chair, Dr. Larry McNeal, and the entire Educational Leadership team. Dr. McNeal had this wonderful way of making the overwhelming doctoral journey feel manageable through his signature wisdom: “with a dissertation, you don't eat the whole elephant at one time. You take small bites to completion.” This philosophy became my North Star not just for completing my research on teachers’ perceptions of grading practices, but for approaching every major challenge in my career since then. I still share this exact phrase with my own doctoral students at the University of North Dakota, and it never fails to bring them comfort during stressful moments. The camaraderie with my cohort, which was largely composed of fellow Shelby County Schools colleagues, created lasting bonds that persist today. We supported each other through late-night class sessions, celebrated each milestone, and collectively navigated the historic Shelby County and Memphis City Schools merger while pursuing our degrees. Those shared experiences of being scholar-practitioners together created relationships that transcended the classroom and continue to influence how we lead in education across the country.
How did your experience at UofM prepare or shape you for the work you do now?
The University of Memphis transformed me from a K-12 practitioner into a scholar-practitioner capable of conducting research that bridges theory and practice in impactful ways. The training I received in research methodology, policy analysis, and educational leadership theory provided the foundation for my transition into higher education as a tenure-track professor. The skills I developed at UofM in critical thinking, data analysis, and scholarly writing became the cornerstone of my research agenda focused on grading practices and classroom assessment. Dr. McNeal’s emphasis on steady, persistent progress has guided every aspect of my academic career, from publishing in top-tier journals like Educational Leadership and Assessment in Education to earning tenure and presenting at international conferences. Today, as I direct master’s and doctoral programs, chair dissertation committees, and conduct research that influences grading policies nationwide, I carry forward the UofM commitment to improving educational outcomes for all students. I remain a proud UofM Tiger, forever grateful for how this institution shaped my ability to contribute meaningfully to educational research and practice.
Learn more about Laura Link, Ed.D.