Center for Leadership Studies

My name is Li Lowry. I am the Director for International Education at Northwest University. I came back to live in the States in 2009 when I was asked to, invited to establish the International Student Services Office at NU. At the time, I had been looking and searching for a doctoral program in the area. After learning about the doctoral program, I was attracted by the way this program is set up, the hybrid way, allows me to have family life. In addition to that, my work life as well. I've learned so much from this. You don't have to wait until you finish the degree to be able to use what you've learned.

For anyone who's thinking about doing a PhD and I would say don't just think about it, do your homework, list your pros and cons. And if you're on the verge or on the edge, just do it, because once you jump into it, you'll realize it's such a rewarding experience. You won't regret it.

Hi, I'm Charlee Magruder from Jacksonville, Florida, and I'm very excited about being in the Ph.D. Program the first time here at the Center for Leadership Studies in Northwest University, I've been in leadership positions all my life. I've started from when I went to the Naval Academy and my first ship, I was in charge of some 20 young men that we had to get the mission done. And that was my, kind of my, introduction to leadership. I was looking for a college or university that has a Ph.D. program in leadership. But Northwest really stood out, it was really unique, but I thought, what is Northwest? And so I started researching what Northwest was not even know where they were and found out that they had this amazing program.

I like the fact that they integrate faith into the program where it's not forcing you to talk a lot about your faith or evangelizing. It's an integration. I can explore my own faith while I'm doing this program to help me better understand me as I'm going forward and trying to work with others. So I think that's a really good fit.

This doctoral program is that foundational piece that's going to help me figure out more about myself and about leadership and how to step into this next role that I hope to play. If someone is considering the Northwest Ph.D. Program, I'd say, come do it, jump in, be a part of this because it's changing lives. The whole intent of this program is, is to move someone forward, to launch them into a position where they can be a leader out in the rest of the world. To take a leadership role, to be a part of the solution of some of the problems that we're facing in the world today. And that's what this program is designed to do.

In my whole life, I've never heard anyone say if only I hadn't earned that doctorate, imagine what I could have been. So the key question for you at this point is, are our Ph.D. and Ed.D. in organizational leadership the right fit for you at this point in your life and in your career?

Well, if you prefer a program that has depth of relationship in which you can actually know your professors and the other people in your cohort, we may be a good fit for you. If you prefer a program with faith integration that combines a Christian perspective with academic excellence, we may be a good fit for you. Four years from now, will you be just four years older or four years better? A doctorate in organizational leadership can be the difference. I look forward to hearing from you soon.