University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies highlights scholarship published by working adult students and graduates 

Scholarship successes reflect experience provided by dissertation to publication workshop and other support offered through mentoring, sessions and workshops held by leaders, academic counseling, career advising and on-demand resources

University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies is pleased to highlight the published scholarship of its working adult learners and alumni. In 2023, 44 doctoral graduates along with their faculty from University of Phoenix reported the publication of 26 articles in peer-reviewed journals. The published articles were developed based on the authors’ doctoral dissertations and crafted during the College’s Dissertation to Publication workshop, showcasing the impact of the workshop and the potential of hard work and dedication in achieving one's goals.

“While we have a practitioner focus, scholarship is a critical measure of success for students and faculty alike, as an opportunity to influence communities of practice and increase awareness of their contributions to industries,” states Hinrich Eylers, Ph.D., P.E., vice provost, College of Doctoral Studies. 

The College supports a dissertation to publication pathway through its suite of support services for students in practitioner doctorate programs, including its annual series, Dissertation to Publication Workshop, led by Mansureh Kebritchi, Ph.D., chair, Center for Educational and Information Technology Research (CEITR). The workshop is a four-month web-based workshop that teaches the art of developing a publishable manuscript based on a dissertation and supports the participants in submitting their manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals. The workshop focuses on the process and the finished product – a publishable manuscript.

“Our doctoral students are leaders in their chosen fields, and their dissertation reflects years of work at the doctoral level as well as deep understanding of their fields,” Kebritchi shares. “It is important that their efforts have the opportunity through scholarship, as well as through practice, to influence knowledge and understanding.”

Operating from the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model, the College places students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources, and tools to help them prepare to be a leader in their organization, industry, and community, including a recently expanded Alumni Mentor Program designed to connect current doctoral students with College alumni. 

Melissa Shank, Ed.D., a 2020 doctoral graduate who served as a fellow in CEITR, had a second article based on dissertation findings, “Novice teachers’ training and support needs in evidence-based classroom management,” published in a 2023 issue of the journal, Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth. “I felt it was important to get my research out in a format that was usable and readable, so I took the workshop led by Dr. Kebritchi,” she shared. Shank found that the workshop helped break the academic publication process down into achievable steps, and she was inspired to aim high: “I was very excited as my first-choice journal accepted my article, which inspired me to write additional articles based on my research findings.”

Lucinda Hines, DHA, MBA, associate faculty in the College of Health Professions, was a doctoral graduate in August 2022 and had her article, “Educating patients on value-based health care to improve clinical outcome,” published in a 2023 edition of Management in Healthcare: “When I learned my manuscript had been accepted, I immediately called my family and closest friends to share the news.” 

Hines found the workshop motivating, sharing that, “The weekly briefings were informative and provided the tools and techniques necessary to assist attendees with publishing their dissertations.” She feels that being published helped validate her research and the importance of her work in healthcare and bolstered her future plans: “Being published has expanded my network and visibility within the academic community, paving the way for future scholarly endeavors.”

In addition to dissertation to publication support, the College offers a Research to Publication Workshop focusing on turning a research project into a publishable manuscript. Led by Kebritchi, this and the Dissertation to Publication workshops are both also open to external registrants unaffiliated with the University.

College leadership organizes a series of sessions in several areas of support. Kebritchi also leads the Research Methodology Group each year that provides a forum and community for students to polish their research skills. Kimberly Underwood, Ph.D., chair, Center for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Research (CWDIR), leads a formal Writing Support team of seven faculty members that opens with participants engaging in Socratic dialogue to generate critical thinking and behaviors needed to successfully progress through each stage of the doctoral journey. 

Faculty at College of Doctoral Studies offer both academic credentials and industry experience to the students they serve, with an average of 27.7 years of professional experience and 12.2 years of teaching experience with University of Phoenix. Professional experience of College faculty include that of chief executives, presidents, consultants, executive directors, and principals. 

Learn more here about the ways in which the College of Doctoral Studies supports its students.

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.