American University’s School of Education is entering a new chapter after H. Kent Baker, quadruple Eagle and professor of finance in the Kogod School of Business, made the largest individual donation in University history in the name of his late wife, Linda A. Baker.
Students within SOE are weighing what the gift could mean for their programs, their professional development and the future of the school itself.
The landmark grant, intended to elevate SOE’s standing as a leading institution for education and policy research, comes on the heels of a report of major restructuring. While details of the restructuring were unknown, conversation around the possibility of SOE being absorbed into the College of Arts and Sciences circulated widely, creating a climate of uncertainty and concern.
Gabriela Cohen, a sophomore in SOE, recalls the moment she learned about the restructuring and possible absorption into CAS.
“I remember [receiving the email] so vividly. I was sitting by The Bridge and I got the email,” Cohen said. “I texted my friends immediately thinking, ‘What am I gonna do?’”
Carlos Gamez, a second-year graduate student in SOE’s online program, also described those months as unsettling.
“There was real fear that SOE would be dissolved or diminished,” Gamez said. “That anxiety wasn’t abstract, it was tied to the value of our degrees and the long-term vision for the school.”
From Gamez’s perspective, the new donation has — at least temporarily — eased those concerns. But he and others remain cautiously optimistic, noting that the true impact of the gift depends entirely on how it’s allocated and how transparently those decisions are communicated.
“The money is promising, but what really matters now is strategic leadership,” Gamez said. “SOE has to use this opportunity to define who it wants to be and to do that, students need a seat at the table.”
Central to the changes accompanying the donation is the introduction of a new position: an endowed leadership chair, which will be the first endowed leadership position at any school at AU.
“[The donation] will provide permanent endowed resources for the school and establish an endowed leadership chair, which will be the first endowed leadership position for a school at AU,” Rodney Hopson, interim dean and professor at SOE wrote in an official announcement published Feb. 11.
As of now, the University has not publicly announced who will fill the newly established leadership chair.
“This is a pivotal step,” Gamez said. “SOE needs a leader who’s not just managing operations, but actively building relationships across AU and within the wider educational landscape.”
This formal leadership presence, students hope, will empower SOE to assert itself in institutional decision-making and forge stronger collaborations.
“Higher education is now in a very tumultuous space with different policy actors, especially at the federal level,” Gamez said. “I would hope that this leadership chair really allows for SOE to be innovative and competitive and truly bring out the best of students, faculty and staff.”
One of the most anticipated outcomes of the gift is the expansion of scholarships for graduate students — aid that is especially critical as tuition continues to rise and federal student loan reforms remain uncertain.
“As someone finishing a graduate degree, I’ve felt the financial pressure firsthand,” Gamez said. “Funding for scholarships isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. It could be the difference between someone pursuing this path or walking away from it entirely.”
Beyond financial aid, students are calling for meaningful investment in faculty development.
“I’ve had phenomenal young professors — smart, committed and student-focused,” he said. “But retaining them, mentoring them and giving them the chance to lead is where the real value lies. SOE can’t just be a stepping stone. It has to be a home for talented educators.”
Gamez also advocated for more structured research opportunities.
With part of the grant allocated for community partnerships, Gamez said he’s hopeful that SOE will strengthen its ties to local organizations and public institutions and become a “key player in D.C.’s education network.”
He also emphasized that community engagement can’t be an afterthought.
“If this gift is really about impact, then SOE has to show up — not just in name, but in action,” Gamez said. “Students need pathways into those partnerships.”
Cohen also looks forward to seeing SOE strengthen connections beyond AU, notably with DC Public Schools and educational outreach nonprofits.
“That’s what students really care about and what they really come here for — they come from experiential learning experience,” Cohen said. “That is what sets this major aside from other majors at AU, and our school aside from other schools with education programs.”
Looking ahead, Cohen hopes to see an expansion of the course offerings.
“We added a new major, Early Childhood Education, so it would be great to keep adding,” Cohen said. “I think we should use [the donation] to continue growing these programs.”
Despite the uncertainty of the past year, the strength of the program for Cohen lies t in its academics, and its community, mission and potential.
“I love SOE, I love my program,” Cohen said. “I love my school. I love bragging about this program and I encourage anybody who’s looking to go to school for education, or even anyone who’s already here who’s thinking about adding a major or minor in SOE, do it. I don’t think you’ll regret it.”
Correction: A previous version of this article specified an incorrect donation amount from H. Kent Baker. The article has since been updated and the number removed, as we did not have permission to disclose. This correction was also updated to include additional context of the number’s removal.
This article was edited by Cara Halford, Tyler Davis and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Olivia Citarella Sabine Kanter-Huchting and Hannah Langenfeld.
