Pepperdine News and Events

Doctoral Student Selected as Emerging Leader

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Crystal Jensen, a learning technologies consultant and doctoral student in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University in West Los Angeles, Calif., has been selected as an Emerging Leader by PDK International, a global association of education professionals.

The PDK Emerging Leaders program recognizes top educators under age 40 from across the globe for their leadership and vision in the field of education. A review committee composed of past PDK Emerging Leaders selected this year’s 18 honorees from a competitive field of applicants, based on their outstanding professional accomplishments.

In addition to being honored at the 2012 PDK International Conference, honorees also have the opportunity to be published by PDK, apply for grants, and participate in PDK initiatives.

“Recognizing the achievements and commitment of these young leaders is vital to PDK’s vision of cultivating tomorrow’s great educators,” said William J. Bushaw, PDK International’s executive director. “These inspiring individuals will provide a very bright future for the field of education.”

For the past 10 years, Jensen taught and coordinated technology in urban and rural, public K-12 schools. She serves as president of the Pepperdine student chapter of the Association of Computing Machinery and as vice president and grant coordinator of the East Bay Computer Using Educators.

Jensen’s doctoral research highlights the core issues in the information and communication technology gap experienced by Native American and indigenous populations and communities in need, especially those in rural areas. She is the founder and president of Integrity Technologies, which seeks to empower these communities via technology integration.

“As a member of the Choctaw of Oklahoma Native American tribe, I am deeply invested in the quality of life for Native Americans, other U.S.-based indigenous peoples, and those around the world,” Jensen said. “My research provides opportunities for me to serve as a leader while fulfilling my life’s purpose by working in the educational technologies field and applying my efforts to help the greater good.”