As a program director and department chair in speech-language pathology, Julia Patnode pursued her Ed.D. in Higher Education to strengthen her teaching, grow as a leader, and better serve her students. She shares why she chose Rockhurst for its flexibility, supportive cohort model, and capstone approach, and how the program helped her balance family life, professional growth, and leadership responsibilities.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

My name is Julia Patnode and I completed the Doctorate of Education in Higher Education. This was a program that fit my life. I have four teenagers. I work full-time, and I was able to manage this program in two years.

The program is set up for working adults. Knowing that everything was online, I could budget my time. This program checked off all of the requirements for a credible Ed.D. program. It has completely prepared me and has benefited me in my current position as a department chair. It's not only supported me helping my students, but also my faculty.

I have learned so much on how an online program should run. Learning the different outcomes and assessments, how to develop courses made me a better professor. This doctor program solidified and really helped me kind of fine-tune my teaching skills. I'm better prepared for my current position tenfold.

Every course was extremely organized and well-prepared. I knew I could reach out to any of our professors at any time and have my questions answered. They were responsive. It was clear, it was organized. I think that's one of those components that makes it feel like it's not online and that we're not all separated across the United States. We were able to work together and grow together and lean on each other throughout the two years.

The positive side of the capstone is that they work with us from the beginning. My capstone project was tailored to my specific field of work in speech pathology and teaching graduate students, and I took that project and the results and it will help my field. When I look back and think of the full circle of this program: busy working people can do this and further their career.