The University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies recently convened its Third Annual Doctoral Journey Colloquium, an in-person event designed to support doctoral students through community-building, skill development, and professional networking opportunities.
The two-day colloquium, held April 19-20 on the university’s Phoenix campus, drew over 100 attendees including current students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The event featured a series of workshops, panel discussions, and both formal and informal networking sessions tailored for University of Phoenix’s doctoral scholars.
“We design our colloquium to support our doctoral students on their educational journey,” said Hinrich Eylers, Ph.D., P.E., and Vice Provost of the College of Doctoral Studies. “This was the best and most highly attended colloquium so far.”
Empowering the Doctoral Experience
In addition to giving students an invaluable opportunity to connect with mentors and build relationships, the colloquium programming focused on empowering attendees’ doctoral progression. Some key highlights included:
- Interactive workshops led by university faculty and leadership
- Dedicated networking receptions for students, alumni, staff to mingle
- Platform for 3 instructors to present research on qualitative methods, ethical data analysis, and dissertation mapping
Shawn Todd-Boone, Ed.D., Associate Dean of ACCESS, Research and Residency at the College said:
“The proposals were informed by instructors’ years of experience teaching working adult learners. The presentations were built to address concerns and empower doctoral students on their journey.”
For student attendee Freda Ascenia Richards, the colloquium delivered an inspirational experience:
“Dr. Kimberly Underwood’s reference to the attendees as ‘all future doctors’ was a pivotal moment for me, as it helped me realize that my aspirations are attainable and that I am on track to achieve them,”
said Richards, a Doctorate of Management student and Digital Campaigns Manager at University of Phoenix.
Doctoral Journey Colloquium Overview |
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Dates: April 19-20, 2024 |
Location: Phoenix, AZ Campus |
Attendees: 104 total (71 students/alumni, 33 staff/speakers) |
Student Programs Represented: Business, Education, Healthcare |
An Integrated Approach to Doctoral Support
The annual colloquium represents one facet of the College of Doctoral Studies’ comprehensive “Doctoral Education Ecosystem” strategy. This integrated model positions students at the center, surrounding them with a network of experts, resources, tools and support systems.
Dr. Eylers emphasized that student feedback helps shape each year’s event, part of the university’s commitment to continuous improvement and evolving to meet scholars’ needs. With this year’s colloquium successfully wrapped, planning for the 2025 edition — as well as an interim virtual event — is already underway.
In Conclusion
As the prominence of practitioner doctorates continues growing nationwide, the University of Phoenix aims to maintain its reputation as an innovative leader in delivering cutting-edge doctoral programming tailored for working adults.
The College’s “Scholar, Practitioner, Leader” research model pairs scholars with organizations to pursue impactful, applicable research benefiting local communities and industries. University of Phoenix prioritizes real-world applications, enriching doctoral experiences, becoming a preferred academic partner.
To learn more about University of Phoenix’s doctoral offerings and scholar community, visit their article.
Sources: THX News & University of Phoenix.
