Erin Centeio
Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, 2012
My experiences over the last four years greatly surpassed what I could have hoped for as a Ph.D. student. The C&I program, and specifically PETE, is well designed and provided me with a variety of important and nurturing experiences that helped shape the scholar that I am today. Some of these experiences included diverse coursework, extensive research opportunities, both in the laboratory and within practical settings, teaching and teaching assistantships in both undergraduate and graduate courses, supervising student teachers, and mentoring other graduate students.
Throughout these experiences I was challenged to think critically, and explore what it means to truly be a scholar in the field of PETE. My mentor set high expectations, yet provided essential scaffolding to help me reach my goals. One of the unique characteristics of being a graduate student within C&I at UT Austin was the number of faculty members who genuinely cared about my success. The relationships I developed with the faculty at UT Austin will continue to build as we remain friends and colleagues throughout my professional career.
Choosing a Ph.D. program is an intense process, however I was fortunate to find a program that met all my requirements. I was drawn to the University of Texas (UT) at Austin because the faculty in the Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program is nationally recognized for their scholarship. The opportunity to learn from some of the best researchers and teacher educators in the United States was one I sought and excitedly looked forward too. Coming from a research one institution during my undergraduate and masters experience, I knew that I wanted not only opportunities to work on collaborative and relevant research projects, but also rigorous coursework experiences, and opportunities to teach or be a teaching assistant.
Transitioning from being a Ph.D. student to an assistant professor is a big step. I felt UT prepared me to successfully navigate the job market by targeting schools that would be a good fit and present myself professionally in job interviews. As an assistant professor at Wayne State University I am continuing my interests in research on physical activity throughout the school day through collaborative research projects that will hopefully give insight to changing the health and nutritional habits of children. As I work with my students and colleagues at Wayne State, I feel UT prepared me to be a successful scholar and teacher educator and I look forward to making an impact on the field in the future.
It’s important as you choose a place to call home for your graduate studies that you consider many factors, including a variety of programs that the University offers, the quality of the faculty, and how the faculty’s research aligns with your interests. Developing friendships both inside your immediate program and beyond is important because the friends and relationships you build will not only support you through the graduate school process, but will continue to be supportive colleagues throughout your career.
