What is Most Needed to Succeed in a Doctoral Program?
The past couple of weeks, I’ve been reflecting a great deal on Capella’s mission and values. Why are we here? What are we all striving for? How do we prioritize our work? How do we make decisions? How do we interact with one another? And the like.
In August 2008, I spoke of a pledge to greatness and the invaluable tool of owning your own contribution and this commodity of human potential – the value of honoring the potential of each person and enabling transformation.
Today, some of my trusted colleagues and I were reflecting on a common question asked, “what is the most important piece of the puzzle needed to finish the PhD?” The usual fare was offered: competency, knowledge of the topic, the “research gene,” a strong committee, resilience, time, etc. But today, I say to all, what’s most important is knowing your needs and knowing your aspirations.
Rather than elaborating on that conclusion, I’d like to close this entry simply with an acknowledgement and recommendation. Even before Capella was Capella (Graduate School of America days), there has been a recognition and commitment to a learner-centered (different than learning) educational philosophy.
You possess a wealth of knowledge, experiences and maturity and if we, together, are to honor and build upon these attributes in your program, we need to collectively and explicitly recognize you as an active partner in the design and implementation of your academic experience. To accomplish this, we need you to share your story. We have a responsibility to hear your needs, to explore your aspirations. But equally, you have a responsibility to share your story, to share your needs and aspirations with us.
If you haven’t had the opportunity, I would encourage you to take the time to call and share with someone (faculty member, advisor, financial aid counselor, colleague, anyone) why you are here and where you’re headed. Placing those needs and aspirations at the center of your educational experience, together, I believe we will expand on what is best in education and achieve a transformation that is more meaningful, more powerful than any curriculum, dissertation, or PhD program experience.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 10:05 am and is filed under Becoming Doctoral, Curriculum.
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