Kris Harrington

Kristin Harrington describes Meridian as a truly transformative learning community — one that brings together theory, practice, personal discovery, and a deeply felt sense of belonging.

Kristin H. is a student in Meridian University’s EdD in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Transformative Learning. A lifelong learner with a long and successful career in nonprofit leadership and international development, Kristin returned to Meridian to complete the degree she had begun years earlier.For Kristin, returning to Meridian was about more than advancing her career. She wanted to continue learning in an environment that had been meaningful to her and supported her ongoing development.

“Meridian is a standout for sure. It is truly transformative and a learning opportunity not only in theory but in practice.”

That sense of practice is central to Kristin’s experience. She describes Meridian’s transformative approach as something that reaches beyond the classroom and into the personal dimensions of learning, growth, and self-understanding.“That practice isn’t just in classes,” she says. “The transformation is personal.”After years away from her degree program, Kristin found the process of returning to be welcoming and supportive. She appreciated that her questions were consistently answered and that she never felt alone as she re-entered the program.“It’s an easy, supportive process,” Kristin says. “My questions were always answered. I was never left alone, and I appreciate that.” Kris Harrington, Meridian University EdD in Organizational Leadership student

Kris Harrington, Meridian University EdD in Organizational Leadership student

Kristin notes that her experience at Meridian has been different from other educational environments she has known. As someone who has spent much of her professional life in education and leadership, she recognizes how rare it is to find a learning community that combines challenge, emotional safety, encouragement, and genuine care.

“I feel truly seen. I feel emotionally safe. I feel challenged. There is a sense of encouragement. It’s so different than any other learning experience I’ve ever had.”

For Kristin, Meridian’s strength lies in how it invites students into a lived experience of transformative learning. Rather than engaging with theory as something abstract, students are encouraged to practice transformation in community, discovering their own potential while participating in the growth of others.“I think transformative learning is so experiential — not just learning theory, but deep practice,” Kristin says. “Meridian’s way of transformative learning helps all of us. We’re all learning together.”She describes this as one of the qualities that makes Meridian unique: a learning environment that sees and fosters each person’s talent and potential.Although Kristin and her husband live in New Delhi, India, she still experiences Meridian as engaging, personal, and community-centered. The flexibility of the program allows her to remain connected across time zones, and she makes a point of attending live classes whenever possible. Even with the challenges of distance and time difference, Kristin values participating in real time.Kristin’s experience at Meridian has also shaped how she sees herself and the world around her. She describes the learning as both personal and expansive, giving her new ways of understanding her relationships, her place in the world, and her capacity to make a meaningful contribution.One of Kristin’s most memorable experiences was her first Transformative Learning Lab. She recalls wanting the experience to continue, drawn in by the depth of interaction and connection with her fellow students.“I just wanted it to keep going on all day,” Kristin says. “I would’ve sat there and interacted with my fellow students all afternoon.” Kris Harrington connecting with fellow students at Meridian University's Transformative Learning Lab

Kris Harrington connecting with fellow students at Meridian University's Transformative Learning Lab

She describes her interactions with other students as an important part of the experience, helping her learn more about herself, see herself from new perspectives, and build meaningful connections with people she had not known before.

“It is a profound experience of self-discovery and learning about others. Learning how to see myself through others’ eyes. It felt like being surrounded by friends whom I’d never met, but there was just a sense of kindred spirits in the room.”

Looking back on her overall experience, Kristin describes Meridian as life-changing. The University has helped her deepen her self-understanding, strengthen her confidence, and develop a clearer sense of how she wants to show up in the world.“Meridian has been such a life-changing experience,” she says. “It has set me up for a discovery of myself, my world, my relationships, how I show up in the world, how I give back to the world.”For Kristin, that foundation has created a lasting sense of possibility.“It’s really given me that foundation and sense of confidence,” she shares, “and the sense that I can make a difference.”Kristin points to the University’s ability to bridge theory and practice in a way that feels rare, powerful, and deeply embodied.

“There’s no better place. I’m so confident in saying this because it’s such a unique learning experience. The strength is the combination of theory and practice. Meridian has managed to close the gap between theory and practice. They are an exemplar of transformative learning — it’s how they teach and what they’ve created.”

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