{"id":2730,"date":"2025-12-15T11:00:53","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/teachers-college\/?p=2730"},"modified":"2025-12-05T18:47:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T23:47:14","slug":"finding-her-voice-how-graduate-school-transformed-shawnna-sundberg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/teachers-college\/2025\/12\/15\/finding-her-voice-how-graduate-school-transformed-shawnna-sundberg\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Her Voice: How Graduate School Transformed Shawnna Sundberg"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><span style=\"color: #ba0c2f\">A Journey Sparked by Purpose<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When Shawnna Sundberg first stepped into the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, she didn\u2019t yet see a long-term path unfolding ahead of her. What she found instead was meaning, and it changed everything.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI needed a job, gave ABA a try, and very quickly realized how meaningful the work could be,\u201d she shared. As she saw the growing impact her work had on both learners and the practitioners who supported them, she discovered her love for teaching and a passion for shaping the field.<\/p>\n<p>Over time, this evolved into a commitment to \u201cthoughtful, dignity-centered practice\u201d and to supporting the next generation of educators. That combination, she said, \u201cis what inspired me to keep moving forward in this field.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ba0c2f\">Why Ball State? Flexibility, Support, and Community<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2739\" src=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05183929\/495033204_1252989426834184_1024933131258196102_n-300x193.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05183929\/495033204_1252989426834184_1024933131258196102_n-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05183929\/495033204_1252989426834184_1024933131258196102_n-1024x659.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05183929\/495033204_1252989426834184_1024933131258196102_n-768x494.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05183929\/495033204_1252989426834184_1024933131258196102_n-1536x988.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05183929\/495033204_1252989426834184_1024933131258196102_n.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>As a first-generation college student raising a family while advancing her career, Shawnna knew she needed a program that understood the realities of life outside the classroom.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI chose Ball State because it offered a realistic, accessible way to pursue my degree while continuing to work and raise my family,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n<p>She emphasized the gratitude she feels for the flexibility of the program and the unwavering support of faculty and staff:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI never would have been able to do this without the program&#8217;s flexibility and the support of the people here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Her mentor and dissertation chair, Dr. Susan Wilczynski, has made a particularly profound impact, shaping the way Shawnna thinks, teaches, and leads.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe changed my life in ways I can never fully express,\u201d Shawnna said. \u201cI will always be grateful for the guidance and care she has shown me.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ba0c2f\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2734 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182517\/480084342_10122175372417848_2415828229909425963_n-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182517\/480084342_10122175372417848_2415828229909425963_n-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182517\/480084342_10122175372417848_2415828229909425963_n-769x1024.jpg 769w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182517\/480084342_10122175372417848_2415828229909425963_n-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182517\/480084342_10122175372417848_2415828229909425963_n-1154x1536.jpg 1154w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182517\/480084342_10122175372417848_2415828229909425963_n.jpg 1538w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>Transformative Research Grounded in Dignity<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Shawnna\u2019s research focuses on helping practitioners make decisions that protect student dignity and support autonomy, an area that grew from her own reflections and professional evolution.<\/p>\n<p>As she progressed through her doctoral program, she recognized practices she once followed that unintentionally caused harm. \u201cThat was a turning point for me,\u201d she said. \u201cI decided to shift my career toward improving how we teach and support practitioners so they can do better for the students and families they serve.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Her work now centers on helping the field \u201cmove in a direction that honors learner dignity,\u201d giving practitioners the tools and confidence to make thoughtful, respectful choices.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ba0c2f\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2732 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182505\/20250228_084454-260x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"260\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182505\/20250228_084454-260x300.jpg 260w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182505\/20250228_084454-886x1024.jpg 886w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182505\/20250228_084454-768x888.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182505\/20250228_084454-1329x1536.jpg 1329w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182505\/20250228_084454-1772x2048.jpg 1772w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/>Growing Her Voice and Her Confidence<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the most unexpected rewards of graduate school has been Shawnna\u2019s personal growth.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI came into the program very quiet and unsure of how to speak up,\u201d she recalled. \u201cNow my entire career is centered on having those conversations, teaching others, and advocating for meaningful change.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She describes this transformation as \u201cunbelievable in the best way,\u201d crediting the program for helping her develop the confidence to use her voice as a scholar and advocate.<\/p>\n<p>This growth is reflected in her professional accomplishments as well. Shawnna has presented at both state and national conferences, published alongside other faculty, including her dissertation chair, and become increasingly passionate about shaping practitioner training.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI still remember my first presentation and how nervous I was,\u201d she said. \u201cNow I genuinely look forward to presenting.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ba0c2f\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-2735\" src=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182527\/image000000-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182527\/image000000-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182527\/image000000-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182527\/image000000-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182527\/image000000.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>Honored for Excellence in Teaching<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In 2025\u20132026, Shawnna received the Excellence in Teaching Award, a recognition she did not expect.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I found out I won\u2026I was honestly shocked,\u201d she admitted. Focused on her dissertation, she hadn\u2019t been thinking about awards at all. But the recognition affirmed the heart of her teaching philosophy: showing up authentically and prioritizing what students truly need.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWinning this award means a lot because it reflects the work I care about the most,\u201d she shared. \u201cIt feels good to know that showing up for students in a real and authentic way makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ba0c2f\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2738 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182653\/2023-08-04_10-24-45_858-300x167.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182653\/2023-08-04_10-24-45_858-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182653\/2023-08-04_10-24-45_858-1024x569.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182653\/2023-08-04_10-24-45_858-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182653\/2023-08-04_10-24-45_858-1536x854.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182653\/2023-08-04_10-24-45_858-2048x1139.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Advice for Aspiring Graduate Students<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Shawnna is honest about the challenges, and the value, of pursuing a PhD.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI always tell people that getting my PhD has been both the most awful and awesome experience of my life,\u201d she said. It changed her career for the better but required sacrifice and stepping far outside her comfort zone.<\/p>\n<p>Her advice?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Know why you\u2019re doing it. \u201cGo in with a clear reason\u2026and stay connected to your purpose.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Give yourself grace to grow through the hard parts.<\/li>\n<li>Ask for help. \u201cYou do not have to do it alone. Someone will show up for you.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Even more importantly, she reminds others: \u201cGetting more letters after your name does not increase your value as a person.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ba0c2f\">Looking Ahead<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>While the next chapter is still unfolding, Shawnna feels grounded in her purpose, to support practitioners, uphold learner dignity, and advocate for meaningful change.<\/p>\n<p>Her journey illustrates the power of finding one\u2019s voice, embracing growth, and choosing a path rooted in authenticity.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2736 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182529\/Isa-and-Mommy-on-Horse-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182529\/Isa-and-Mommy-on-Horse-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182529\/Isa-and-Mommy-on-Horse-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182529\/Isa-and-Mommy-on-Horse-768x766.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182529\/Isa-and-Mommy-on-Horse-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/bsu-wpe-blogs.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/12\/05182529\/Isa-and-Mommy-on-Horse.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Journey Sparked by Purpose When Shawnna Sundberg first stepped into the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, she didn\u2019t yet see a long-term path unfolding ahead of her. What she found instead was meaning, and it changed everything. \u201cI needed a job, gave ABA a try, and very quickly realized how meaningful the work could [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":305,"featured_media":2731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,2,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faculty-and-staff-features","category-featured","category-student-stories"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Finding Her Voice: How Graduate School Transformed Shawnna Sundberg - Teachers College<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/teachers-college\/2025\/12\/15\/finding-her-voice-how-graduate-school-transformed-shawnna-sundberg\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Finding Her Voice: How Graduate School Transformed Shawnna Sundberg - Teachers College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A Journey Sparked by Purpose When Shawnna Sundberg first stepped into the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, she didn\u2019t yet see a long-term path unfolding ahead of her. 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