Pursuing a Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Leadership is not only about earning a credential but about undergoing a transformation in how one thinks, leads, and serves others. The program bridges scholarship and practice, offering leaders the opportunity to refine their ability to influence change in organizations and communities. For me, this degree has been more than academic it has been a personal journey of resilience, discipline, and reflection. Each stage, from coursework to the development of my dissertation, has strengthened my ability to connect theory to practice and to see myself as both a student and a leader committed to educational equity.
The curriculum’s focus on leadership theory, organizational strategy, and ethical governance has given me new tools to approach complex challenges. As I progressed, I found myself applying concepts of transformational and servant leadership not only in academic discussions but also in my professional life. My dissertation work, which examines how stress and loneliness influence adult education participation among Black American men post-COVID-19, reflects my progress as a scholar-practitioner. It has pushed me to engage deeply with literature, critically analyze systemic inequities, and frame solutions that can have real-world impact.
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been the emphasis on applied research. Through developing my methodology, refining my problem and purpose statements, and exploring frameworks such as Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping and Tinto’s Retention Theory, I have grown in confidence as a researcher. Each revision, feedback cycle, and refinement of my chapters marks progress—not only in completing academic milestones but in shaping my identity as someone capable of producing scholarship that matters. The EdD program has helped me transform obstacles into learning opportunities, reinforcing that leadership is not about avoiding adversity but about navigating it with clarity and purpose.
Ultimately, my progress in this doctoral journey reflects the very essence of the EdD in Leadership: to grow as an informed, ethical, and visionary leader. I see my own development mirrored in the balance between scholarship and practice writing, researching, and applying lessons to leadership roles in both educational and professional contexts. This degree is not only preparing me to contribute as a scholar but also positioning me to lead change, mentor others, and influence systems in meaningful ways. My personal progress has been marked by persistence, adaptability, and a deepened understanding of leadership as a responsibility to both knowledge and community.
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