Empowering education: Three-time Sun Devil receives doctorate and makes lasting change through ASU Prep

Arizona State University, in offering a variety of programs and degree paths, operates as a home for students looking to kickstart their higher education journey, promoting accessible learning for all. This mission for accessible education starts at the K-12 level, promoted through Access ASU programming, and continues to the doctorate level. 

Dr. Betsy Fowler, a recent ASU doctoral degree graduate who studied education, completed all three of her degrees at ASU and serves as the current Head of Schools for ASU Preparatory Academy. When asked what about ASU made her want to continue her education, Fowler pointed first to the community she found on campus. 

“I still have friends and connections that I made from my time at ASU,” Fowler said. “Every time I came back, it was for different reasons and different things happening in my life at the time.” 

Education

Fowler is an Arizona native who was accepted into Barrett, The Honors College for her undergraduate degree, which began a long path toward her ultimate graduation last May as a doctor of education. 

“The excitement and hunger for learning new things was a huge part of my undergraduate experience,” Fowler said. "Growing up in the Valley, I wasn’t exactly sure where I wanted to go, but once I learned more about Barrett, the Honors College and the ability to find a community within ASU, I was sold.”

Following her graduation as an undergraduate student, Fowler moved to the Midwest and began her teaching career, until an opportunity to teach at the ASU Preparatory Academy in downtown Phoenix presented itself. 

“I heard that ASU had developed high schools,” Fowler said. “I loved my time at the university, got so much out of it, and was transformed as a learner, so I decided that would be a dream job. I applied while I was still living in Wisconsin and ended up moving back to teach. It became an incredible opportunity to grow in the organization, in various leadership roles across our different campuses.” 

While working for ASU Prep, Fowler decided to go back to school, beginning with a master’s degree in educational leadership with a principal certification through the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. 

“I was getting my experience first-hand in our ASU Prep schools as I was working toward my master’s degree,” Fowler said. “ASU met me when I needed flexibility as a growing professional, and I was then able to continue to serve our students.” 

Unlike her fully on-campus undergraduate experience, Fowler decided to pursue a remote learning option for her second degree. 

“I was in a new job in a new place, so that flexibility was important to me,” Fowler said. “I’ve now experienced ASU learning through a fully immersive undergraduate degree, a fully online master’s degree, and finally a hybrid doctoral degree.” 

Between her master's graduation and the decision to pursue her doctorate, Fowler continued to climb the ranks at ASU Prep, dedicating herself to making the university’s accessible learning mission a reality in Arizona high schools. 

“I waited almost seven years after my master’s before beginning my doctorate,” Fowler said. “Learning through the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College was incredible. There’s a huge focus on not only growing academic knowledge, but also experiencing learning through a shared cohort environment, which was transformational for me.” 

In comparing her degrees, Fowler noted the particular challenge the doctorate posed. 

“It was this perfect balance of challenge, but also relevance and personalized learning,” Fowler said. “I had some of the most incredible teachers in all of my schooling within the doctoral program. I was really ready to lean in, learn, and grow the community as a part of that program, and it nailed it.” 

On a pleasant note, Fowler did not have to celebrate her doctorate graduation alone. Last May, both she and her younger sister Dr. Molly Stanfill walked the stage and received their doctoral degrees together. 

ASU Preparatory Academy

Fowler helps support the students and teachers daily while working for the ASU Preparatory Academy. 

“My day-to-day is unique in that I don’t have a traditional office,” Fowler said. “My office is in our schools, so I go where I am needed that day.” 

At the heart of Fowler’s work is the mission to expand education outcomes in Arizona, which is mirrored in ASU Preparatory Academy campuses across the state. ASU Prep has five school locations in Phoenix, South Phoenix, Mesa and Casa Grande–as well as hybrid high schools onsite at ASU campuses (ASU Prep Digital+).

“I both work on helping run the schools we have, but also really pushing our teams to build more future-ready schools,” Fowler said. “I do try to get into classrooms because I can’t stay away from being around our students. They’re incredible.” 

Fowler championed Family Choice Day through ASU Prep, an initiative in which students and their families can decide how and where they learn every Friday, whether in the classroom or remotely. 

Its inspiration again ties back to ASU’s mission to expand higher education access. 

“ASU Prep, in its journey, has proven that we absolutely can build schools and have programming that is more learner-centered,” Fowler said. “One of our best ways of doing that is by leveraging both the family as a unit and the strength of an ‘all in this together’ mentality, paired with technology and personalized learning tools.” 

In Fowler’s words, Family Choice Day is a response to community requests for increased flexibility in learning environments. 

“We’ve had a number of other pilots of hybrid learning environments,” Fowler said. “We want all of the best things we’re building to be available for all families. Given the results and strong demand, we developed Family Choice Fridays.” 

Recently, Fowler was awarded the Innovative Leader Award for Chief Academic Officer in recognition of her work at ASU Prep and through Family Choice Day. 

When asked about it, Fowler answered two-fold, addressing her swell of gratitude and hopes for further progress. 

“I am grateful and proud of our ASU Prep story and excited to represent our organization,” Fowler said. “At the same time, I thought that all schools should be thinking about more learner-centered models and should be developing more flexible approaches to meeting students and families where they’re at. I always feel like there is more work to be done.” 

Advice for Sun Devils

When asked what advice she would give to a student just starting at ASU, Fowler again emphasized the importance of finding a family on campus. 

“Find your community, whether it be big or small,” Fowler said. “There are so many ways for people to feel like they belong at ASU.”

To Sun Devils considering continuing their education and pursuing a doctoral degree, Fowler said that students should take the leap. 

“If people are looking for a highly personalized experience and to grow in ways they didn’t even know was possible, I would say that you receive that through the doctoral degree,” Fowler said. “You will get to really know your professors and receive individualized support.”