“I live in a practical world,” says Brian Utter ’91. “I need practical education at this point in my career. I’m a lifelong learner, and I’m looking forward to getting that practical education as I earn my doctorate degree.” Brian recently enrolled in Olivet Nazarene University’s Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership degree program. He will begin this new adventure in the fall of 2026.
Brian is already a busy professional, a husband, a father and a grandfather. He served as a missionary with World Mission Broadcast in South America for seven years.
Since 2011, Brian has served as the ministry director and an on-air host for the Shine.FM broadcasting network. In his leadership role, he has shepherded the network’s growth from a local FM Christian radio station to now include online broadcasting via Brilla, a Spanish-speaking network, and Spark, a student-run network, plus audio and video podcasting. He now leads a staff of 13 professionals plus several student workers each semester.
In 2015, Brian joined Olivet’s faculty as a professor in the Department of Communication, teaching fundamentals of broadcasting, audio production, broadcast programming and sports media. He also mentors students as they complete practicums in engineering, computer programming and production. In addition, he teaches classes for El Festival, a worldwide broadcasting education forum, and leads media camp globally.
Taking Learning to a New Level
Brian holds two master’s degrees, and he had thought about getting a doctorate degree several times over the years. “When I began thinking seriously about this, I realized that Olivet’s doctoral program is the best choice for me,” he says. “The ethical leadership approach and the opportunity to write my dissertation as I go through the program will help me succeed.”
Another of Brian’s goals in starting a doctoral program at this time in his life is to encourage others in the broadcasting industry to advance their education. “In media, success is all about the trust factor,” Brian says. “Playing the best music used to be the measure of success in broadcasting. Now, what we are saying between the songs is more important. Trust is built over time and destroyed in a moment. Developing the skills and knowledge for ethical leadership is important for all leaders, but especially in this industry.”
When he enrolled in the program in early 2026, Brian realized he had to start right away to make room in his life for the time this program will require. First, he is completing his work on a broadcast programming textbook he has been writing for the past two years. Next, he is saying no to several new leadership and teaching invitations that are coming his way. And, of course, he is prioritizing family time.
Ready for Enrichment
Brian is already looking forward to all that this doctoral program will add to his life. “I’m a lifelong learner, and I know we learn from what we consume,” he says. “I’m excited about the new reading I’ll be doing and the interactions I’ll be having with my professors and the other students in my cohort. I want to learn more about how be an ethical leader, especially as I teach others in our industry about how to use the tools we have and how to create media for good.”
Brian adds: “Our world is constantly changing, and we have to change with it. We need to jump at the opportunities we have for personal development and education so we can be ready for the future. Those who don’t continue to adapt will be left behind.”
To learn more about Olivet’s Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership degree program or to enroll, email onlineadmissions@olivet.edu or call 877-465-4838.
