“I’m in awe of what I’m learning as a student in Olivet Nazarene University’s Ed.D. program,” says Steven Peasley, who began the program in 2025. “Every day, I’m learning something new.”
Steve is a current student in Olivet’s Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership (Ed.D.) degree program. A musician, music educator, and leader in an international music program for elementary and middle school students in Saudi Arabia, he was drawn to Olivet’s Ed.D. program by his desire to plan well for his future. He is seeking not only that one extra step for his current career, but also direction for what God has prepared for him to do next.
Balancing Career, Family and Personal Growth
During his undergraduate years, Steve attended Olivet for his freshman year. He was a music education major from Mount Pleasant, Michigan. His love for music has continued throughout his career.
He and his wife, Amanda (Stadler) ’97 of Lombard, Illinois, met at Olivet and married in 2002. They are the parents of six children — four sons and two daughters — and three are still living at home. Their daughters are adopted, one from Kenya and one from Ethiopia. Recently, they welcomed their first grandchild. Their son, Brandon, is now a sophomore at Olivet, majoring in education and living on campus.
Steve and Amanda, who is a kindergarten teacher and a professional photographer, chose an interesting and challenging career path in education. After teaching in Los Angeles and Nairobi, Kenya, they accepted positions with Saudi Aramco Expatriate Schools in 2009 and relocated to Saudi Arabia.
More than 70 different nationalities are represented in the school. Steve currently teaches music to students in kindergarten through grade 9; physical education for students in kindergarten through grade 3; and oversees two kingdom-wide music festivals each year. Next year, he will be transferred to lead a band program for 400 students in grades 5 through 9.
“I really enjoy our life,” Steve says. “We live in a self-sufficient Western compound, an hour from any major city. And yes, Amazon does deliver here. We have taken vacations to Thailand, which is half the distance of going back to Illinois; Greece; the country of Georgia; France; and Belgium. We get to experience other cultures in person and also by their food, which my family really enjoys.”
So how does a busy international education professional with a large family manage to pursue his Ed.D. degree? Steve realized the value of being better equipped for his current and future leadership roles.
Surprised Every Day
“Olivet’s Ed.D. program attracted my attention because of the Christian values and emphasis on spiritual growth,” Steve says. “My family and I live in a predominantly Muslim country, and it’s easy to feel spiritually dry sometimes. I especially appreciate the spiritual renewal of our devotional assignments.”
When he began the Ed.D. program, Steve had to let go of some other responsibilities, like coaching sports. He has also had to make some adjustments to his schedule for class sessions, study time and writing time. “I’m an organized person, but the Ed.D. program has made me even more organized,” he says. “I’m learning to fine tune my time management. Sometimes I have to turn off the urgency and take time to have fun with my family and enjoy life.”
For Steve, one of the greatest rewards of Olivet’s program is the concurrent dissertation process and the discoveries he is making while researching and writing. He holds the distinction of being the Western music educator who has worked the longest in Saudi Arabian international schools. His dissertation focuses on the government initiative and the cultural changes that have taken place in the country because of music.
“When we arrived in Saudi in 2009, it was illegal to perform music publicly,” Steve recalls. “In 2016, the Crown Prince began an initiative that made music acceptable. Music began to be integrated into all education in the country and into the culture. He hired more than 9,000 teachers to come into the country and develop a music program.”
In his research, Steve continues to discover the many aspects of this cultural shift — some of which he wasn’t even aware of — and also the ongoing challenges. “I can’t keep up with my topic,” he says. “History is happening while I’m writing my dissertation! And I’m documenting what we have accomplished here.”
Added Value, Added Blessings
Since entering the Ed.D. program, Steve is already experiencing a deeper understanding of different leadership styles and different ways of leading in different areas. He appreciates the input from the members of his cohort and their experiences in their different fields.
“With my job, I’ve already been invited to join administrative meetings and to give my insights,” Steve says. “I’m also now part of teams focused on grading and reporting.”
Looking to the future, Steve and his family continue to walk in faith. “Our time in Saudi Arabia will be a chapter of our lives that we’ll close and miss one day,” he says. “God has given us this gift to make a difference in our world. Living here has brought the Middle Eastern culture and the Bible to life for me.”
Learn more about ONU’s graduate degree programs at Olivet.edu/academics/graduate-programs. For more information or to enroll, email onlineadmissions@olivet.edu or call 877-465-4838.
