Professional Growth Plan & Dissertation

Vision and Becoming the Leader

My vision is to become an Educational Technology Leader who uses technology, financial literacy, research, and data to prepare students for the real world. My long-term goal is to help students graduate with the financial knowledge, technological skills, confidence, and decision-making abilities needed to navigate the real world. I am manifesting becoming a leader by first, pursuing my Ed.D., expanding my technology expertise, and developing a financial education program to create meaningful change. The development of this financial education program will be for 9th–12th grade on covering budgeting, saving, credit, investing, taxes, financial technology, entrepreneurship, and responsible financial decision-making.

Educational Leadership Philosophy

My educational leadership philosophy is centered on purpose, people, innovation, and impact, using technology intentionally to improve learning. I believe effective leaders understand the needs of those they serve and create opportunities for growth. My philosophy incorporates Northouse's (2022) skills, situational, transformational, servant, and adaptive leadership approaches. Transformational leadership is especially important to my vision because I want to transform financial education, inspire confident decision-makers, and adapt to the changing needs of students.

Professional Growth Plan Timeline:

July 2026–December 2026: Building My Foundation. I began my Doctorate in Educational Leadership Technology at Kean University and will focus on developing my identity as an educational technology leader while strengthening my knowledge of technology, leadership, research, and organizational change. I will complete EDTC 801, create a digital portfolio, begin dissertation research, and develop an initial framework for my grades 9–12 financial education program.

January 2027–July 2027: Developing My Program. I will research best practices in financial literacy and educational technology while working on my dissertation, developing curriculum concepts, sample lessons, and interactive technology activities that connect financial education to students' everyday lives.

July 2027–December 2027: Applying Leadership Through Practice. My short-term goal will be developing a beta version of my financial education program focusing on real-world skills such as budgeting, credit, saving, investing, taxes, student loans, and understanding a paycheck. I will seek opportunities to collaborate with educators, schools, community organizations, or youth programs and establish measurable learning objectives, technology resources, and assessment strategies.

January 2028–July 2028: Establishing My Leadership Identity. I will strengthen my leadership skills by presenting my ideas, conducting research, expanding my professional network, and refining my dissertation research around financial literacy, educational technology, and student preparedness.

August 2028–December 2028: Research and Organizational Impact. I will apply my doctoral research skills to my dissertation while examining how technology-supported financial education can help students develop practical skills and confidence for adulthood, college, careers, and financial independence.

February 2029–May 2029: Becoming the Leader I Envision. I will complete and defend my dissertation, complete my Ed.D. in Educational Technology Leadership, and transition from doctoral student to Malika Ashley, Ed.D. 

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Objectives

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Results

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