Shoshoni, Wyoming —known for its cold high desert climate, its proximity to Boysen Reservoir and its small rural population of just 471— is where twin brothers and TC alumni Chase (Ed.D. ’22) and Ty McNamee (Ed.D. ’22) spent their childhood years.
The two-thousand mile journey from their hometown to TC felt particularly triumphant when the McNamees celebrated their doctoral hooding in front of their parents and alongside one another.
“We grew up in a working-class family, but our parents always encouraged us to put education first,” says Ty, now Assistant Professor of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation at the University of Kentucky. “Having them there, seeing their sacrifices pay off [our stepdad, Lee, in his cowboy hat and all!] was our Wyoming-farm-meets-New-York-City, ‘we did it!’ moment.”
Now both thriving in their own niches across higher ed, with Chase leading Campaign Operations at the University of Denver, making a difference remains a family affair.
Inspired by his time growing up in a rural community, Ty began his journey in 2015 in TC’s Higher and Postsecondary Education program, with a focus on supporting rural student populations in higher education. “Being a rural student is an identity—one that’s often overlooked,” he shares.
McNamee, with the support of former TC faculty member Beth Tipton and fellow students, would go on to launch the Rural Education and Healthcare Coalition. Each year, the coalition connected rural students from across the country and hosted a symposium at TC, creating space for rural students to discuss their experiences and the unique challenges of transitioning to New York. Throughout the process he would lean on his academic advisor, TC’s Noah Drezner, Professor of Higher Education, Vice Dean of Academic Success and Strategy, who played a significant role in McNamee’s doctoral journey.
Pictured: Drezner (left) with the McNamee twins (middle) and faculty member Oren Pizmony-Levy (right) during TC’s Convocation ceremony. (Photo courtesy of McNamees)
Less than a year later, Chase joined his brother in the same program, but with a primary focus on philanthropy in higher education after a dynamic assistantship and then full-time role at the University of Wyoming Alumni Association across numerous administrative functions. “I realized that, despite our impact, some voices were missing from the conversation—often due to identity, background and giving patterns. That insight is what led me to pursue philanthropy.”
Chase also worked closely with Drezner—an experience he describes as “truly serendipitous.” “I had been citing Noah in all my philanthropy work up to this point, so having him as my advisor was more than I could have imagined.” As Drezner’s research assistant and copy editor for Philanthropy & Education, McNamee deepened his understanding of philanthropy and education. “I learned so much about philanthropy and education more broadly at TC and it was great to have a mentor in that space,” he shares.
Though the McNamees had different research interests, both credit Drezner for his steadfast support. “Not only did he guide us through the doctoral process, but he was there for us during our toughest personal challenges,” says Ty.
Just a month after Chase started at TC, both parents simultaneously fell ill. Chase returned back to Wyoming for the year and Ty took time off to be in Wyoming, while Drezner helped them navigate what the future would look like. “Noah was so supportive in helping us figure out options if we both needed to take time to support our parents,” Chase shares.
Chase adds, “At one point, I contemplated needing to leave the program entirely, but Noah worked with me to find a way forward. Without support from Drezner and Teachers College, we might not have finished our doctorates.”
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(Photo courtesy of McNamees)
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The Next Chapter
Today, in his role at the University of Kentucky, Ty is continuing to expand his research on rural higher education. Based upon his dissertation, which won the American Educational Research Association (AERA)’s Division J Dissertation of the Year award, he published this year his first book, The Cultural Journeys of Rural, Poor and Working-Class College Students Policy and Practice to Support Degree Attainment, and collaborated with scholars to launch the Rural Talent Development and Attraction Lab.
Meanwhile, as the Director of Campaign Operations at the University of Denver, Chase is leveraging his TC expertise in philanthropy and donor relations. He recently authored a chapter in Advancing Research in Philanthropy and Education, Drezner’s new book which explores the impact of cultural traditions on educational philanthropy and highlighting new innovations in the field.
One thing is certain for the McNamees: No matter where life takes them, Teachers College will always be woven into the fabric of their trajectories.
“We’ve experienced the transformative power of higher education together through Teachers College, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the ways it has shaped our trajectories,” says Chase.
Ty adds, “As two small-town boys from Shoshoni —where we didn’t even have high-speed internet access— moving to New York City and earning our doctorates felt surreal. None of it would have been possible without the support that we received at Teachers College.”