Founders

Renate Tesch, Ph.D.

Renate Tesch was a pioneering scholar in qualitative research and a foundational figure in the establishment of Fielding Graduate University, then Fielding Institute. Born and educated in Germany, she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Marburg before moving to the United States, where she became deeply involved in the emerging field of adult learning.

Tesch first encountered Fielding’s co-founders, Frederic Hudson and Hallock Hoffman—whom she later married—when she arrived in Santa Barbara as an international correspondent for a German educational journal. Recognizing the potential for an alternative approach to graduate education, she became one of Fielding’s original architects, shaping the university’s doctoral programs and serving in key administrative and academic roles.

As a scholar, Tesch was instrumental in advancing qualitative research methodologies. Her book, Qualitative Research: Analysis Types and Software Tools, became a foundational text in the field, influencing the way researchers approach and analyze qualitative data. At Fielding, she served as Secretary of the Institute, Director of Institutional Research, and led the doctoral program in Education and Human Development, which later evolved into the Human and Organizational Development program.

A visionary in the use of technology in education, Tesch played a critical role in Fielding’s early adoption of computer-based learning, helping to establish its identity as a virtual institution where faculty, students, and staff could remain connected through a networked community. Her expertise in qualitative data analysis also positioned Fielding at the forefront of research innovation.

Tesch was known for her intellect, sharp wit, and high academic standards. She was a complex figure—both admired for her rigorous expectations and direct manner, and deeply respected for her commitment to scholarship and feminist ideals. Beyond academia, she was an accomplished pilot, a skilled mechanic, and an avid folk dancer, embodying a spirit of curiosity and adventure in all aspects of her life.

Renate Tesch passed away in 1994, leaving a lasting legacy in qualitative research and higher education. Her work at Fielding Graduate University helped redefine doctoral education, ensuring that research and learning remain deeply connected to practice and innovation​.