On his desk lay a letter, ordinary at first glance, but it would open a door he hadn't planned to walk through. At the time, Dr. David Glasner was principal at Shaker Heights Middle School and immersed in the daily rhythm of leading a school, supporting teachers, and championing students. Pursuing a doctorate certainly wasn't a priority.  

But something about Cleveland State University's (CSU) Ph.D. in Urban Education program caught his attention. It spoke to the challenges he saw every day and the future he imagined for public education. That moment of curiosity became the start of a journey that would transform his career.  

"There were other folks in Shaker that had gone through the program," recalled Dr. Glasner. “It was something I always thought about, but I wasn't pursuing it until I got that piece of mail."  

Dr. Glasner completed his Ph.D. in Urban Education in the fall of 2018. Just months later, he stepped into the role of Superintendent of the Shaker Heights City School District, one of the few districts in North America, to offer the International Baccalaureate Programme to all students at every grade level.   

The timing was not a coincidence. His doctoral experience sharpened his ability to navigate intricate systems, build consensus among stakeholders, and keep students at the heart of every decision.  

"There's always a need for leaders that are prepared to navigate complex, challenging situations in public education," said Dr. Glasner. "The Ph.D. in Urban Education program at CSU provides these tools."  

"It was a good balance of practical, real-world experience and hands-on learning with the most current and up-to-date theoretical research approaches to educational leadership," said Dr. Glasner.  

For a lifelong educator who had served as a teacher, principal, and curriculum leader, the program validated his experiences while pushing him toward new ways of thinking. Every class gave him tools he could bring back to his district the very next day. The conversations around systems of change, collaboration, and the realities of urban schooling strengthened his resolve to lead with clarity and purpose.  

Dr. Glasner credits the program's cohort model for creating lasting connections. "The relationships I made with my classmates and professors were important,” he said.  “I stay in touch with members of my cohort to this day."  

They became more than classmates, but rather a support system. Leaders from different districts and backgrounds, all facing similar challenges, learned together, debated ideas, and encouraged one another through rigorous coursework and demanding roles. Those relationships continue to impact his work beyond graduation, becoming a professional network that Dr. Glasner still leans on in his work.  

One example of that impact is his collaboration with Dr. Adam Voight, director of CSU's Center for Urban Education, to introduce Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) into the district as part of the First Ring Student Leadership Institute. YPAR empowers students to investigate issues affecting their lives and become agents of change, reflecting the leadership principles Dr. Glasner strengthened during his time at CSU.  

Today, as superintendent, his work demonstrates the program's influence: elevating student voice, fostering collaboration, and applying a thoughtful, informed approach to guiding a district committed to innovation.  

"CSU provides a local place-based opportunity to develop leadership skills that apply nationally and globally," said Dr. Glasner. "The Ph.D. program in Urban Education is impactful. I'm appreciative of everything Cleveland State has provided for me."  

For Dr. Glasner, that mailer years ago did more than advertise a program.  It opened the door to the next stage of his leadership and helped shape the superintendent he is today.