Southern Nazarene University (SNU) proudly celebrates students and alumni who live out the values of faith, service, and lifelong learning. One such alumna is Susan Wray, a devoted mother, passionate educator, and proud member of the Muscogee Nation Tribe. Susan earned her Doctorate of Education in Administration and Leadership from SNU in May 2024, marking the latest milestone in a remarkable career spanning more than thirty years in education.
Susan grew up in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where she graduated from high school in 1985 as a clarinet player in the Broken Arrow Pride Band. Her educational journey began at Oklahoma Christian University and continued at Langston University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1991. Along the way, she and her husband welcomed their first daughter, Kimberly.
After graduation, Susan began her teaching career at her childhood elementary school in Broken Arrow. She taught there for five years and, in 1995, gave birth to their second daughter, Summer. In 1997, the family relocated to Edmond, Oklahoma, where Susan joined Oakdale Public Schools. There, she discovered her love for science and STEM education. While teaching, she also earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction/STEM from Adams State University.
“I decided to pursue my degree because I have goals of educational leadership in Oklahoma through administration and through science education,” Susan shared. And she has done precisely that.
At Oakdale, she made a lasting impact—developing a STEM program, overseeing a science curriculum, and even starting a spirit squad. Her leadership extended beyond the classroom as she began presenting at state science education conferences, helping to develop science assessment frameworks, and participating in statewide curriculum development.
From 2019 to 2022, Susan served at the Oklahoma State Department of Education as the Director of Elementary Science and Engineering and a science specialist with the Oklahoma Excel Project. In this role, she led a pilot program to implement the OpenSciED curriculum in middle schools, revised the Oklahoma Academic Standards in Science, and helped guide the development of the Oklahoma Science Frameworks. She also led a network of science educators through a statewide improvement initiative.
She is a member of the Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) nationally and served on a planning committee for a national science conference focused on building capacity in state-level science education leadership.
Today, Susan continues her work in education as the elementary principal at Wellston Public Schools, where she combines her passions for teaching, leadership, and service. But above all, Susan is proud to be a mother first. Her daughters, Kimberly and Summer, have inspired her every step of the way.
When it came time to choose a doctoral program, Susan trusted the advice of her colleagues who had already experienced the unique SNU difference. “I chose SNU because my colleagues were in the program and encouraged me to attend,” she said. What stood out to her most was how intentionally the program was designed: “SNU is set apart by various components of the program, including the spiritual focus, a cohort model, six-week class schedule, and embedded dissertation.”
She added, “I would also mention that the program supports students through consistent guidance and feedback.” The program's online flexibility allowed her to continue working full-time while advancing her education and deepening her faith.
While earning her doctorate, Susan was selected for the prestigious Cobell Scholarship in the 2022–2023 school year. “Earning a doctorate degree set me up for success as a leader in education. I anticipate that accomplishing the degree will open up opportunities in the future. The degree will broaden the impact I can have on education in Oklahoma,” she said. “I appreciate the dissertation committee members who provided me constant support and feedback, and professors who dedicated time and effort in each of my classes. I am thankful for the spiritual growth I experienced and leadership knowledge I gained during the program.”
Susan Wray’s journey is a powerful example of faith, perseverance, and the impact one person can make on a generation of students and educators. At SNU, we are honored to be part of her story and excited to see how she continues to lead with purpose, passion, and heart.
