PhD in Organizational Leadership

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PhD

IN ORGANIZATIONAL

LEADERSHIP

The College of Business and Leadership

CONTENTS 2

COURAGE TO EXPLORE

3

Carron’s Story

4

Dr. Kathy-Ann C. Hernandez

5

Students on Courage

6

COURAGE TO LEAD

7

Jon’s Story

8

Dr. Franklin Oikelome

9

Student and Alumni Professions

10 COURAGE TO TRANSFORM 11

David’s Story

12

Dr. Christa Lee-Chuvala

13

Where We’re From

14 10 YEARS & BEYOND 15

Board of Fellows

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Letter from Our President

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

The Journey to Explore, Lead, and Transform Imagine a traveling group: one that started small at first, has added new travelers every year, and has dropped some off at their new destinations. The group is traveling on. Outsiders may wonder who the travelers are, why they travel together, and what they do while traveling or being dropped off. I’d say, “Come and see.”

In 2007 we welcomed the first cohort of students to this traveling group called the PhD in Organizational Leadership program at Eastern University. These students were looking for opportunities to explore leadership with depth; to lead with relevant framework, knowledge, and skills; and to transform their environments into flourishing work places! So they, along with PhD faculty and staff, took off on the journey to explore, lead, and transform. Since then we have helped students arrive at their destinations successfully and receive their PhDs, while adding a new cohort of students annually. Along the way, we have laughed, cried, and celebrated achievements together. In the process, our students have gained confidence as scholars, relevant leaders, and courageous transformers.

We are continuing the journey to contribute to the creation of a better world through the ethical, transformative, and relevant scholarship and practice of leadership.

This book shares stories from our students, alumni, faculty, and friends about how we explore, lead, and transform as relevant and responsible organizational leaders. I invite you to come and hear our stories. If you would like to join this traveling group, we would be delighted to welcome you.

Come and see if this group is a place for you to discover, respond to, or realize your calling as a confident, competent, and just leader that this world and your workplace need!

With Blessings,

Heewon Chang, PhD Professor and Chair PhD in Organizational Leadership

EXPLORE PhD ORG LEADERSHIP

WE’RE BETTER TOGETHER Our PhD students explore leadership through coursework and dissertation research. In class, students gain new understanding about diverse leadership topics. Students produce new knowledge by conducting original research for their dissertation.

This exploration does not occur alone.

You will learn, study, and collaborate with a cohort of fellow leaders from diverse organizational and geographic contexts.

Dedicated faculty with varying expertise mentor and accompany you in your exploration.

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COURAGE TO EXPLORE

For Carron Odokara, diversity is the spice of life. Diverse pursuits mark

from many places in the United States and countries like Uganda and

her life: successful IT manager at Ford Motor Company, associate pas-

Malawi. They also represented diverse professional backgrounds:

tor at her church, and, most recently, PhD student at Eastern University.

business, non-profit, and academia. The result of their diverse back-

Ironically, “PhD student” was not on her mind several years ago. Carron

grounds has been a rich learning environment and even richer friend-

had already clinched a master’s degree in engineering and another

ships. This, Carron considers, is the greatest gift of all.

one in divinity. Getting one more piece of paper—especially one she remembered her mother struggling greatly for—was not her priority.

To this day, even during dissertation years, her cohort finds time to bond and challenge each other to maintain their PhD scholarly pur-

Nevertheless, time passed and her fascination with diversity com-

suits outside of the classroom and workplace. Together, they attend

pelled her to pursue a PhD. At Eastern University, she found the right

academic conferences, write journal articles, and make it a point to

place to begin her new academic venture. In an ironic twist, the ele-

catch up every month. Carron’s cohort experience is a living example

ment she overlooked as she researched PhD programs ultimately cre-

that “whoever walks with the wise becomes wise” (Proverbs 13:20 ESV).

ated the greatest value: the cohort model. Carron lights up when she

For Carron, getting her PhD has been adventure, one shared in the

talks about her cohort. For one, it was diverse. Her classmates came

warmth of friendships and the spirit of camaraderie.

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DR. KATHY-ANN C. HERNANDEZ Professor of Organizational Leadership Coordinator of Educational Administration Concentration

Dr. Hernandez has more than twenty years of experience as an educator at various academic levels in the United States and the Caribbean. She is a scholar/activist who has collaborated to conceptualize, secure funding, implement, manage, and evaluate university-community partnership programs. Dr. Hernandez is a co-editor of the International Journal of

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Multicultural Education and has served as a leader in the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

Education B.A. in English, Andrews University M.A. in Educational Administration and Supervision, Andrews University Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Temple University

Research Interests Her research explores the salience of race/ethnicity, gender, spirituality, and social context in identity formation and leadership development for marginalized communities.

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HOW OUR STUDENTS & ALUMNI EXPLORE, LEAD, & TRANSFORM

GREG Courage to Reach

CHERYL Courage to Share

CHEN Courage to Become

M AT T Courage to Start

"Courage is the willingness to follow your beliefs and go where no one would expect you to go.” As an advisor to leaders of Fortune 500 companies, Greg has often offered honest counsel.

He is aware of the risks of being brutally honest, yet he refuses to live and work in the spirit of fear. “God has given me experiences, education, and insights to help serve others, and that is what I strive to bring to my vocation every day."

Learning always excited Cheryl.

She wanted to become a professor to share her love of learning, yet finances held her back from attending college after high school. As an adult, when she had an opportunity to begin undergraduate study, she seized it and continued on to a master’s and doctoral study. For Cheryl, leadership is about sharing and transforming through the exploration of new knowledge.

Chen is an iconoclast. She’s outspoken, energetic, and dedicated to a mission of challenging Chinese churches to be more kingdom-minded.

Getting a PhD in Organizational Leadership is her launching point for becoming the leader she is meant to be. The path she walks is one of courage and commitment to a higher cause: bringing the world one step closer to God’s Kingdom.

Matt had to tap into his courage as he decided to pursue a PhD while also raising a family and being a leader in business. He could have taken the secure route and stuck to the corporate ladder. Instead, he leaned into his dormant capabilities. Now he’s making decisions at work with greater confidence. Most importantly, he believes his decision to pursue a PhD will serve as an example to guide and inspire his children.

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LEAD

PhD ORG LEADERSHIP

My journey has been significantly impacted by the

SHARPENING YOUR LEADERSHIP

education I gained at Eastern

Our PhD faculty and students are practicing leaders from diverse professional, aca-

University.”

– JON PERI, PHD ‘17

demic, and global contexts. Our community, rooted in Christianity, welcomes thinkers and practitioners from diverse faith backgrounds and engages leadership according to a framework of faith, reason, and justice.

As a member of a cohort filled with purposeful professionals and scholars, you will sharpen your pre-existing leadership skills and competence while expanding your capacity as a scholar, practitioner, and thought leader.

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COURAGE TO LEAD

A little over twelve years ago, Jon Peri applied for a

Jon’s decision to choose Eastern University ultimately

position at a local university—Vice President of Academic

came down to faith. Here, he knew he would be

Affairs. He applied despite having a successful law

encouraged to live his Christian faith and prepare for

career. He was searching for a career filled with

his calling. Through prayer and support from his peers,

meaningfulness, a way to live out Christ’s calling. In the

Jon embraced the rigors of the program, while enjoying

search for meaning, Jon discovered leadership in higher

every minute of it. Studying organizational leadership

education. As a man of faith, Jon knew that God calls

improved his own abilities as a leader. More importantly,

us to challenges we believe ourselves unfit for, and to

the dissertation process shed insight into the issues he’d

paths we never expect to walk. So, he applied. He did not

contend with in higher education. After completing the

get the job. Yet opportunity presented itself even in the

PhD program, Jon found an opening for the position of

face of defeat. The university's president recommended

President at Manor College. Unlike last time—a little over

Jon to the role of executive assistant. In this time, Jon

twelve years ago—he got the job. For two and a half years

realized that God had called him to higher education.

now, he has served as President of Manor College. The

Becoming the president of a higher education institution

journey, Jon says, has been significantly impacted by the

became his goal. Getting a PhD, Jon recognized, would

education he gained at Eastern University. Jon found his

be instrumental in achieving it.

calling. Now he lives it, too.

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DR. FRANKLIN OIKELOME Professor of Organizational Leadership Coordinator of Business Management Concentration

Dr. Oikelome is the co-author of an innovative book on diversity, ethnicity, and migration that analyzes key themes of career and career structures at international, national, and local levels. He has been in his current position at Eastern University since 2011 and teaches leadership and management courses. During his doctoral studies, he received the Phelan Fellowship Award

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from the International Institute for Labor Studies in Geneva, Switzerland for his outstanding research on labor and social policies.

Education B.S. in Psychology, University of Lagos M.S. in Employment Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science Ph.D. in Employment Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science

Research Interests His research interests lie in the interconnecting fields of migration, equality, diversity, and employment.

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W H AT O U R S T U D E N T S & A L U M N I D O P R O F E S S I O N A L LY

NONPROFIT & PUBLIC ADMIN.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

EDUCATIONAL ADMIN.

Pastor

Director of Business Development

Middle School Principal

Executive Church Administrator

Managing Partner

K-12 Program Director

Nonprofit Executive Director

Network Relations Manager

Special Education Administrator

Director of Student & Family Ministry

VP of Global Procurement

Public School Superintendent

CMC Regional Director

President & IT Consultant

Director of Equity and Inclusion

Nonprofit Founder

Business Owner

Director of Technology

Consultant

VP of Finance & Operations

Director of Online Learning

US Government Director

VP of Human Resources

Director of Strategic Planning

State Government Director

Director of Organizational Development

Director of Athletics

Fundraiser and Grant Writer

Founder & President

College Sport Coach

Director of Special Services

Manager of Training & Development

University program Director/Chair

Nonprofit Foundation Director

Director of Operations and Strategies

Director of Education Foundation

Social Worker

Coordinator of Family Relations

College Professor

Homeless Ministry Executive

Consultant

College Dean/Associate Dean

Nonprofit Board Member

CPA

College President

Active and Retired Military Personnel

Marketing Executive

College Vice Chancellor

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COURAGE TO TRANSFORM A HIGHER CALLING Our PhD students and graduates are

The seed of David Brewer’s journey with Christ was planted

engaged in transformative leadership.

when he was a young man in high school. Nurtured by

Some have created new organizations.

Eastern University’s PhD in Organizational Leadership, that

Others have transformed their

seed has grown into an international organization that

environments. Whether organizational or

helps communities in developing countries become self-

individual, the transformation they effect

sufficient through entrepreneurship. That organization is

is rooted in their humble and purposeful

called SEED (Sustainable Empowerment through Economic

responses to the higher calling of making

Development), where David is the Manager of Network

a just world for all.

Relations. As the international livelihood ministry of the Free Methodist Church USA, SEED provides the start-up capital,

Being part of this transformative

infrastructure, and planning to empower people to achieve

community will not only inspire you, but

their business dreams. This is David’s passion. This is how

also give you practical tools to take with

he does God’s work. Getting there, however, took courage.

you on your transformational journey.

Prior to SEED, David had found success in the healthcare industry. He was in upper-management, responsible for

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directing projects between different departments and bringing to life

same approach in a new setting; and Confident—a leader goes into

the goals of executives. Yet David felt God leading him in a different

the situation expecting the best of his people. David is confident

direction. He was then recommended for the directorship of SEED.

that, no matter the challenges he faces, God is there to guide him

He took a leap of faith and left his corporate career. David thanks

to success. And, so far, he has no reason to think otherwise. Since

Eastern University for preparing him to lead SEED. To this day, Eastern's

planting that first seed of faith, since taking that courageous leap,

values of faith, reason, and justice are imbued into the mindsets he

David has watched SEED plant the seeds of transformation in over

employs as a leader. David believes three mindsets characterize his

two dozen developing communities, and that number—David is

leadership: Other-centered—a leader cannot lead unless they know

happy to note—continues to grow.

the people they must lead; Unfinished—a leader never takes the exact

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DR. CHRISTA LEE-CHUVALA Assistant Professor of Social Impact and Organizational Leadership Coordinator of Nonprofit/Public Administration Concentration

Prior to coming to Eastern University, Dr. Lee-Chuvala worked in both the community development and international development fields and served as the co-executive director of the Boston Faith & Justice Network. At Eastern, she helped to build a new MBA in Social Impact, which equips mission-driven leaders to confront complex societal challenges using the tools of business

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innovation. Dr. Lee-Chuvula teaches courses in economics and data analysis.

Education Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.U.P. Harvard University B.A. Taylor University

Research Interests Her research interests include the economics of social transformation, social innovation, social impact, economic development, and social enterprise.

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WHERE OUR STUDENTS & ALUMNI COME FROM

Canada

Netherlands

United States

Eastern University

China

Lebanon Nepal

Egypt

India

Virgin Islands

Uganda

Ethiopia Singapore

Malawi

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1 0 Y E A R S & B E YO N D Hooding First PhD Graduates Welcoming the First Cohort of Students Inaugurating the PhD Program

2006 14

Joining the College of Business and Leadership

Forming the Board of Fellows

2007

2011

2012

2015

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary

2017

BOARD OF FELLOWS The Board of Fellows (BoF), an advisory group, consists of friends of the PhD program. These advisors are active and retired leaders from business, nonprofit, education, and public sectors, including some of our own graduates. As practitioners and explorers of ethical, just, and relevant leadership in their own arena, they advise and support the PhD program.

“

Earning a PhD from Eastern restored my faith and gave me the courage to become a more transformative, followercentric leader. As a BoF member and chair, I am thrilled to continue supporting the PhD program in fulfilling its mission of equipping leaders to transform their organizations and communities as practitioners and scholars.�

DR. ERIK MEADER Board of Fellows, Chair VP, Pfizer

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Into the Future with a Vibrant Vision Great leaders shape great organizations. As I reflect on the last decade of our PhD in Organizational Leadership program, I am inspired by the influential leaders this program is equipping. Our graduates are courageous, passionate, resilient, and firmly founded in their faith. Empowered by groundbreaking scholarship, they are making a rich impact by applying their doctoral research across a wide variety of fields and organizations.

I am also continually inspired by the dedicated faculty and staff team that shapes our PhD in Organizational Leadership. When our alumni speak about the program, they share stories of the rich community they experienced within their cohort, the professors who encouraged them to new levels of achievement, and the Christ-centered atmosphere that marked their time at Eastern. The PhD team has done a tremendous job integrating a strong passion for transformational scholarship with a vibrant communal experience.

When I look ahead to the next ten years, I think of the challenges organizations will encounter and the adaptations required to thrive. I think of the opportunities for organizations to effect positive change aligned with the Kingdom of God. And I think of the need for great leaders to stand at the helm of these organizations and lead well. The need is great and our PhD in Organizational Leadership offers the rigor, resources, and rootedness to prepare and strengthen such leaders for the task.

Perhaps, one of these leaders will be you.

Dr. Ronald A. Matthews President Eastern University

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EASTERN UNIVERSITY PhD Organizational Leadership, 1300 Eagle Road, St. Davids, PA 19087 610-341-5800 | eastern.edu/phd