Online Leaders Celebrated

The Intellectual Contribution Award recognizes graduating Ed.M. students (two from each master’s degree program) whose dedication to scholarship enhanced HGSE’s academic community and positively affected fellow students. All recipients were nominated by their classmates based on who inspired them, helped them gain a different perspective on education's challenges, and contributed to shared learning and intellectual growth, both inside and outside of the classroom. Each program's faculty directors, in consultation with other faculty and staff, selected the final honorees for their program based on the nominations and on demonstrated academic success.

Scott Bower and Salman Moti will be honored with the Intellectual Contribution Award for the Online Master’s in Education Leadership (OEL) Program during HGSE Convocation exercises on May 28. We asked the winners about their time at HGSE, their future goals, and what drives them in education.

Scott Bower

Hometown: Torrance, California 
Pathway: PreK-12 

Scott Bower is so deserving of this award. He’s been the consummate student, colleague, and professional in the OEL community. His academic, community, and one-on-one contributions have set him apart not only for faculty and administrators, but most importantly among his colleagues and friends within the program. Members of the OEL student body refer to him as inspiring, caring, and intellectually curious — to name a few descriptors. His enthusiasm and energy for global citizenship is mirrored in the way he leverages his existing podcast to amplify the wisdom and knowledge of his OEL colleagues. We celebrate you Scott with this award. – OEL faculty

What were your goals when you came to the Ed School? 
I wanted to join a global community of inspiring educators. I also wanted to set myself up to take on greater school leadership. Both of these goals were met during my time at HGSE. I have cultivated strong friendships within my cohort and learned so much from their collective wisdom. Each classmate brought a unique skill set, passion, and motivation that helped me to better appreciate how everyone is grappling with challenging issues in education. I feel incredibly fortunate that I have gained new colleagues and friends while studying at Harvard. I’m confident that we are prepared to confront and transform even more pressing education-related challenges. 

Is there a professor or class that significantly shaped your experience at the Ed School? 
Irvin Scott was my faculty adviser, and this man walked the talk! He introduced all of us to his preK–12 school ecosystem framework and then proceeded to share stories of his many adventures as a teacher and school leader navigating the entire ecosystem. I felt like I could really trust him to provide thoughtful feedback and clear insight on complex issues happening within preK–12 schools. His warmth, intensity, and joy when talking about the young people we serve deeply resonated with me. It is about growing our impact! And he was impactful as a teacher and friend.

What is something that you learned this year that you will take with you throughout your career in education?   
Main lesson: You can do a lot more than you think you can. In the OEL Program, it is true that you are taking on a lot more work considering that most of us are working professionals. I felt myself being pushed to my limits with the amount of things I was taking on. At first, I thought it was about balancing things in my personal and professional life, however, I came to realize that it comes down to mastering time rather than balancing it. What this meant for me was making commitments about the things I felt were important and not compromising on it. I intend to extend this mindset into my career and life. I want to expand my capacity as an educator and human being. My ability to master time will lead me in the direction of achieving my dreams. With all that I have received as a student and professional, I will endeavor to repay my debt of gratitude by fostering even more capable people who will make this world a better place. 

Any advice for incoming HGSE students? 
Be bold and build community at HGSE. The name Harvard attracts brilliant, interesting, and passionate people from around the world. Lean into your friendships and explore what makes them light up.

Salman Moti

Hometown: Colleyville, Texas
Pathway: Higher Education

Salman Moti has been an exemplary and consistent contributor to the OEL Program on many levels. In class, Salman clearly expressed his ideas and opinions while simultaneously inviting his classmates to engage; thereby raising the level of discourse. Beyond his involvement in Zoom rooms, Salman has played a highly active role on the OEL Student Advisory Board since joining in his first year. He has led several co-curricular initiatives, most notably the well-regarded OEL Speaker Series. His dedication to enhancing the co-curricular experiences of his peers has been both meaningful and commendable. Salman did all of this with professionalism and warmth while also balancing work and family. Truly impressive. – OEL faculty

What are your post-HGSE plans?
After graduation, I intend to dedicate more time to launching my startup venture in the higher education content creation space. In collaboration with a fellow HGSE classmate, I have been leveraging the resources and support of the Harvard Innovation Lab to commercialize our idea and deliver a minimum viable product by fall 2025. I am optimistic that our project will be successful, and through this endeavor, I will continue to discover and learn new ways to advance higher education. This journey not only aligns with my professional aspirations but also fuels my passion for innovation and lifelong learning.

Is there a professor or class that significantly shaped your experience at the Ed School? 
I frequently reflect on Tim McCarthy’s course, Real Talk: The Art and Practice of Brave Communication. This class not only helped me refine my skills as a storyteller and presenter but also set a higher standard for what it means to exhibit bravery in the face of challenging circumstances. I internalized the profound lesson that bravery is not the absence of fear, but rather the focused and purposeful action taken despite it. Moreover, I came to understand that effective communication extends far beyond merely conveying a message from one party to another. At its core, communication is about transmitting a feeling, enabling others to experience a moment and a place as if they were truly present.

What is something that you learned this year that you will take with you throughout your career in education?   
This year, I learned that while the educational landscape may be changing in unexpected ways, I still have choices. I can either brace for the impact of changes or I can strategically identify and leverage the opportunities that change creates. By remaining focused on the opportunities, I feel a sense of ownership and control over what comes next. 

Despite your busy schedule, you always make time for … 
Despite my demanding schedule, I always prioritize spending quality time learning with my two daughters, Amel (10) and Nora (8). They are well aware that my favorite activities include assisting them with their homework and taking trips to the public library or Half Price Books. It is crucial to me that they understand learning and education are lifelong, prosocial  endeavors. Furthermore, I want them to appreciate and internalize the principle that with the opportunity to learn comes the responsibility to support the growth of others. Knowledge is only a renewable resource when it is shared.