Recently published dissertations are available for download

Fall 2024 Newsletter

In This Issue

Program Updates
EdD Director's Fulbright Award
Tamara's Published Book as Co-Editor
Research Output: Publications & Presentations
- Faculty
- Students
Student Interviews
Upcoming Conferences
Job Board

Program Updates

The EdD program has experienced remarkable growth, increasing enrollment from just 10 students in 2015 to over 70 students in 2024—a sevenfold expansion. This success was achieved through a series of strategic initiatives, including revamping the curriculum to add advanced research methods coursework, fostering a culture of scholarship by encouraging doctoral students to publish and present their research, and enhancing the program’s reputation by contributing to peer-reviewed journals and books and presenting at conferences such as AERA and CPED. This achievement reflects a shared commitment to excellence, made possible through collaborative efforts, dedicated advocacy, and the unwavering support of faculty, staff, and students. Together, we have established a vibrant and thriving academic community that empowers doctoral students to excel in their research and professional pursuits.

Due to increased enrollment and a steady number of prospective applicants, we are excited to announce that starting in Fall 2025, admissions for the EdD program will be held annually. This coming Fall, we are admitting students for the EdD in Transformative Learning in the Global Community. Our program is globally focused and designed to support career advancement. Please help us spread the word to anyone who might be interested in joining this innovative and dynamic program!

Lee-Johnson's Fulbright Award*

Dr. Yin Lam Lee-Johnson, Director of the Doctor of Education (EdD) program and Chair of the Graduate Department of Education at Webster University, has been awarded a Fulbright grant by Fulbright Taiwan: Foundation for Scholarly Exchange. The grant, which spans six months in Spring 2025, aims to foster academic exchange in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI).

Dr. Lee-Johnson’s project introduces a comprehensive socialization framework for teacher education and professional development in TEFL and EMI. With Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 policy driving a push for bilingual proficiency, this initiative is timely and impactful, offering dynamic workshops to enhance the skills of university faculty. She will collaborate with National Taiwan University, Taiwan’s leading public research institution, and other Fulbright grantees during her sabbatical. During her approved sabbatical leave, Dr. Brynne Schroeder will serve as Acting EdD Director, and Dr. Paula Witkowski-Dieckmann will serve as Acting Department Chair.

“I would like to congratulate Nicole for her remarkable achievement as a Fulbright grant awardee. This award is a testimony to her scholarly excellence, grant writing capacity, and commitment to global educational research. I am very proud of her accomplishments", said Dr. Julian Schuster, the President of the University.

“It is truly an honor to receive this global recognition,” said Lee-Johnson. “I look forward to contributing to the advancement of knowledge in bilingual education in Taiwan and enhancing the networking opportunities and academic excellence of the EdD program and the Graduate Department of Education.”

This Fulbright award underscores the exceptional leadership and academic expertise of Webster University’s EdD program. Designed to prepare higher education faculty and administrators, K-12 leaders, and nonprofit executives, the program has a proven track record of success. Two recent graduates now serve as faculty members at top research universities, including Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University.

*This was prepared for Webster Today and so a Webster Today announcement with similar content will be published later.

EdD Student Co-Edited a Book Published by Palgrave MacMillan*

Tamara Rodney, an EdD student in Transformative Learning in the Global Community, has co-edited a book published by Palgrave MacMillan. The book title is “Creativity and Learning: Navigating Transformative Perspectives for Complex and Contemporary Environments” and the two other editors are Andreia Valquaresma and Luciana Dantas de Paula.

This collaborative achievement stems from Rodney’s engagement with transformative learning and creativity. In 2022, she co-presented with Dr. Yin Lam Lee-Johnson, Director of the EdD program, at Webster’s Geneva Creativity Week.

*This was prepared for Webster Today and so a Webster Today announcement with similar content will be published later.

Tamara Rodney

EdD Faculty and Students' Publications and Presentations

Lee-Johnson, Andrea, Trish, Ethel at CPED

Andrea's Poster at CPED

Ethel's Poster at CPED

EdD Director and Students Present at CPED Convening*

Webster University’s Doctor of Education (EdD) program demonstrated its commitment to innovative scholarship and professional development at the 2024 Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Convening. Held from October 14 to 17 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the conference brought together educational leaders and scholars from CPED member institutions across the globe.

Dr. Yin Lam Lee-Johnson, EdD Program Director, and three doctoral students—Trish Iaiennaro, Ethel Smith, and Andrea Jackson—represented Webster University at the convening. Since joining CPED, Webster’s EdD program has actively participated in these annual events, underscoring its dedication to advancing the field of doctoral education.

Leadership at the Delegates’ Business Meeting
Dr. Lee-Johnson participated in the CPED Delegates’ Business Meeting, where institutional representatives shared updates, challenges, and recommendations for enhancing EdD programs. During the meeting, Lee-Johnson advocated for CPED to prioritize the professional development of doctoral faculty, particularly in fostering professional disposition expectations.

Innovations in Doctoral Research
Lee-Johnson joined a session titled “Alternatively Alternative: How Are We Doing Dissertations Differently? Insights from a Special Issue of Impacting Education.” This session highlighted innovations in doctoral research and dissertations. Lee-Johnson, along with five doctoral students, co-authored an article on the Doctoral Digital Portfolio, an alternative dissertation model that emphasizes digital publication and career-focused outputs. The article, currently under review for the CPED journal Impacting Education, is expected to publish in Spring 2025. Lee-Johnson presented on the key tenets of this upcoming article and shared insights with the audience.

The Doctoral Digital Portfolio initiative, recently approved by Webster’s Graduate Council, is designed to:

Expand readership by utilizing digital publishing platforms.
Enhance career advancement by showcasing students’ technological skills in conducting and disseminating research.
Broaden global access to doctoral research by making findings available to international teaching and research communities.

Doctoral Student Presentations
Dr. Lee-Johnson and doctoral students Trish Iaiennaro, Ethel Smith, and Andrea Jackson co-presented “Huliau: Reframing Transformative Learning with an Anti-Colonialist Lens Among EdD Candidates.” This session provided students with the opportunity to share their academic experiences and network with conference participants, fostering valuable professional connections. In addition, Ethel Smith and Andrea Jackson showcased their research through poster presentations in the convening’s poster session. Their posters, displayed in a central ballroom, attracted significant attention and sparked engaging discussions with attendees interested in their research topics.

*This was prepared for Webster Today and so a Webster Today announcement with similar content will be published later.

Congratulations!

Champions for Diversity & Inclusion Awards: Trezette Dixon increases engagement at The Fellows Experience - St. Louis Business JournalAs senior director for The Fellows Experience at Greater St. Louis Inc., Trezette Dixon fosters leadership development for mid-career professionals of color in the St. Louis region.

Congratulations Dr. Amy Pouncy!

Dr Pouncy's proposal "A SEAT AT THE TABLE: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY ON THE CAREER PATHS AND EXPERIENCES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN CHIEF LEARNING OFFICERS" was accepted as a panel presentation at the Black Doctoral Network Conference on October 17-19, 2024 which will be hosted at Loyola Marymount University.

EdD New Student Interviews

Interview with Ming Han Lin

Media Instructor at Webster University Tashkent

Hello everyone. My name is Ming Han Lin. I was born and grew up in Taiwan and was interested in media production ,such as manga, animation and film since I had memory. My childhood passion led me to major in art in Southern Illinois University and 3D animation and visual effects in Academy of Art University in USA.

What drew you to the field of education? How did you decide on becoming a doctoral student?

After completing my studies, I used to work in the game companies for a while in California. By chance, I was invited to teach and share my 3D experience in the university in my hometown country Taiwan. Since then, I started teaching role and have been teaching 3D animation and related subjects in several international universities based in Taiwan, China, Vietnam, including Webster University Thailand and Uzbekistan till now. Since I have been teaching global wide and linking with Webster faculties and students for a while, I deeply feel Webster is a good platform for global connection to explore more about global. Therefore, I made a decision to study in EdD Webster and hopefully can make a difference and deeper impact in education worldwide.

Would you share with us your passion for education?

Although I was brought to education field accidentally ,I literally found passion in inspiring students later on. My future career goal is to inspire more young generation in my field and prepare their knowledge and skill for 3D and media in today’s completive digital industry and coming META future.

What is your definition of a transformative educator?

I am very interested in Transformative learning in the global community emphasis because I feel this emphasis is a perfect fit for me to merge my education background in digital media with international teaching experience. And, I believe educator should always transform their way of teaching with technology develop and expand self globally to spread around their experience.

What is your research interest that might develop into a dissertation/Doctoral Digital Portfolio topic? What is the problem that you are trying to tackle?

My future research interest is how 3D and virtual reality will motivate student and affect global education. We all know virtual techniques are reshaping our lives and many fields, including education field. I was thinking to research deeply and maybe create new teaching style to greet the coming revolutionary change in the education industry.

Interview with Lyndsey Brokenburr

Tax Information Reporting Manager

Would you share with us your passion for education?

My passion for education ignited after I graduated from Florida A&M University and began my corporate career at Bank of America. While there, I volunteered to teach financial literacy for organizations like United Way, Special Olympics, and Junior Achievement. I discovered that helping others understand personal finance brought me immense joy, and this experience solidified my commitment to education.

What is your definition of a transformative educator?

A transformative educator is someone who embraces innovative, non-traditional teaching methods that create an inclusive and equitable learning environment. They inspire students to engage deeply and learn in ways that are both productive and centered on equity.

What drew you to the field of education?

Education is in my blood—I will be a third-generation educator. My passion for teaching became evident after years of presenting and educating others on financial literacy topics, which made me realize that education is truly where I belong. How did you decide on becoming a doctoral student? I decided to pursue a doctorate after a conversation with a coworker, who is an adjunct professor. She encouraged me to continue my education, believing that it would help me grow into a more effective and impactful professor.

What is your research interest that might develop into a dissertation/Doctoral Digital Portfolio topic?

I am interested in education equality and family socioeconomic status in relation to educational success.

Interview with Jennifer Bond

Elementary Teacher, Francis Howell School District

Adjunct Professor, Webster University

Would you share with us your passion for education?

My name is Jennifer Bond and my passion for education stems from growing up in an urban environment surrounded by cultural diversity. I was able to learn and grow from and with people of all different races, ethnicities, backgrounds and experiences. I witnessed both the benefits of outstanding educators and the cruelty of seeing classmates and friends treated differently for simply being who they were. I took those experiences with me into adulthood wanting to create change so that all students could feel seen, heard and valued. I developed a determination to make the world and the world of education a greater and more equitable place to belong.

What is your definition of a transformative educator?

A transformative educator has the passion, desire and ability to reach students who are deemed unreachable. They invest their time, energy and caring so that every student they encounter leaves their classroom as an improved student and person. Transformative educators actively seek to improve their own knowledge and practices to best reach students on their individual levels. Most importantly, transformative educators are not just teachers in classrooms, but they are activists in their communities serving as catalysts for change and progress!

What drew you to the field of education? How did you decide on becoming a doctoral student?

My passion for learning and creating change within education is what led me into the field. Transformative teachers and leaders believed in me and I wanted to continue to pay it forward. I decided to become a doctoral student because I want to extend my love of teaching and learning to the collegiate level. I want to use my research, knowledge and experience to train and inspire future teachers to become leaders in education, particularly in areas of high need.

What is your research interest that might develop into a dissertation/Doctoral Digital Portfolio topic? What is the problem that you are trying to tackle?

My research interest will be in assessing teacher attitudes toward the professional development that they receive in mathematics and how it is impacting their instruction. I want to determine if there is a correlation between attitudes toward professional development and the noticeably decreasing nationwide elementary student achievement levels in mathematics.

Interview with Elfreda D. Williams

Quality Assurance Program Manager with the Department of the Air Force

Would you share with us your passion for education?

The quote by Maya Angelou “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”; always play in my mind. Education pushes me to get comfortable being uncomfortable; to learn other ideas than my own and think on a deeper level than just what is supplied to me. Education challenges us and that is what I want to do in Education, challenge my future students to be the best that they can be and then be more. Education led to my decision to enlist into the Air Force and it is Education that is bringing me back.

What is your definition of a transformative educator?

An educator that can take their students through a journey of ideas, theories, studies and demonstrate how different perspectives can lead to critical thinking that goes beyond one’s basic understanding.

What drew you to the field of education? How did you decide on becoming a doctoral student?

When I was younger, I had a teacher tell me that I would not amount to anything. I have held on to that comment and used it to fuel my educational desires and dreams. After my retirement from the United States Air Force, I decided that I wanted to do something in Education; I wanted to become a doctoral student and be someone who can be a change agent.

What is your research interest that might develop into a dissertation/Doctoral Digital Portfolio topic? What is the problem that you are trying to tackle?

My potential research interest may be the use of educational technology and its implications for advancing cultural awareness and fostering an environment on inclusivity.