“The most surprising aspect of me studying at Ship has been the way that I have fallen in love with the university.”
Samantha Neidlinger has strong ties to the Harrisburg area. She’s a graduate of Steelton-Highspire High School and received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Penn State Harrisburg. Now in Shippensburg University’s Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility program, Neidlinger says she has felt supported and valued as a member of the Raider family.
“My education at Shippensburg began in the spring of 2017 when I was selected by my employer to be a candidate in the urban leadership program. From this program, I obtained my administrative certificate and also fell in love with Shippensburg. I really enjoyed the coursework, staff and built strong relationships with my colleagues,” Neidlinger said. “It was because of this program that I chose to continue my graduate work at Shippensburg.”
Highlights of Neidlinger’s resume include teaching second grade for several years at Steelton-Highspire Elementary School and serving as assistant principal there for multiple years as well. Her superintendent selected her to present with Ship faculty in San Diego at a conference for AASA, The School Superintendents Association. She feels the relationships she built at Ship were the deciding factor in her opportunity to attend.
“I would want those who are considering the program to know that as a student at Shippensburg they will always be supported,” Neidlinger said. “I have really appreciated working with both professors and superintendents who are currently in the field. I also appreciate that in this program you work with the same cohort for the entirety of the program. This helps build strong rapport and relationships with colleagues that I would not have had the chance to work with otherwise.”
Neidlinger says she also hopes to receive her doctorate from Ship.
Read more stories from the Class of 2021.
