Influential Woman · Education Learning Spaces

Sue Ann Highland

National Education Strategist, School Specialty

Loveland, CO

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology Cert PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology Cert K-12 Administrator Member Ed Market Member A4LE Member SIOP (Society for Industrial Organizational Psychologists)

Her Story

About Sue

I'm an industrial organizational psychologist who helps schools and districts vision and put together what their learning spaces will look like, and how they can use them to help support student learning. I've been in education for 30 years, with the last 10 years focused specifically on education learning spaces. As a K-12 administrator with a PhD in industrial organizational psychology, I bring a unique perspective to this work. I've diversified the things I do and don't just have one lens - I've come from the dealer side, the education piece, and I know and understand manufacturing, so being able to have all of those pieces gives me a great broad picture. I actually wrote a book, taking all of those years of research and study and putting it into something that's usable and easy for districts to access to support them. I really believe the biggest opportunities in the K-12 furniture industry are educating the educators, helping them understand what an environment can do and what a difference it can make, and all of the research that's out there. I want to give back to my profession, give back to education, and help grow the next group of educators that's coming up, giving them the tools they need to be successful.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Sue

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to lots of hard work, but I also think following that advice about taking care of people has been crucial. Being willing to step out there and not just say I can only do one thing, but opening your heart and your eyes to possibilities has made a big difference. I always tell my kids, never be afraid of a conversation. That willingness to engage, to diversify what I do, and to not pigeonhole myself in one spot has been very strong for me personally.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

I think the best advice I ever received is be true to yourself, and be willing to jump out there and just take chances. I was once told that the most important thing you can ever do is take care of people, and I believe that very strongly. That advice has guided me throughout my career and has been fundamental to how I approach my work and relationships.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Dive in and learn everything you can. Don't just pigeonhole yourself in one spot. I think that's one thing that's been very strong for me personally - I've diversified the things that I do. I don't just have one lens. I've come from the dealer side, the education piece, I know and understand manufacturing, so being able to have all of those pieces gives you a great broad picture. Don't limit yourself to just one area - explore different aspects of the industry and build that comprehensive understanding.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I always look at them as opportunities. I think the biggest things for us in the K-12 furniture industry - the biggest opportunities are really sitting in educating the educators, helping them understand what an environment can do, and what a difference it can make, and all of the research that's out there. Another opportunity is to really just jump in and do as much research as I possibly can, and we can as an industry - unbiased research to really say, yeah, look, this is going to support kids and teachers. I want to give back to my profession, give back to education and help grow the next group of educators that's coming up, and give them the tools they need to be successful.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Integrity is number one for me. My faith is extremely important. And just taking care of people - I was once told that's the most important thing you can ever do, and I believe that very strongly. These values guide everything I do, both professionally and personally, and they're at the core of how I approach my work and my relationships with others.

Keep Exploring