Graduate students enrolled in Olivet Nazarene University’s online Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership (Ed.D.) program seem to have no problem forming meaningful relationships via digital connections. The three-year program is facilitated 100% online — giving busy, working adults some freedom and flexibility in their pursuit of an Ed.D. degree.
And yet, there is added value when students and faculty are able to gather together in person. Last fall, Dr. Kelly Brown, director of the Ed.D. program, and her team of administrators decided to plan an on-campus event to deepen the relationships between students, faculty and the University.
“We wanted to offer a space for students to come to Olivet,” says Dr. Brown. “To see the campus and meet their professors, chairs and [dissertation] readers. I’m still impressed with how well the students gel together online in the program, but think a lot of students want to see [the campus] and where they’re going to school.”
Based on positive reviews from last year’s Doctorate Day event, Olivet is again welcoming all current Ed.D. students and faculty to visit campus on Thursday, October 23. Additionally, members of cohort 40, which will begin their coursework the week after Doctorate Day, and prospective students who are interested in enrolling are invited to attend.
Following a welcome breakfast, Doctorate Day participants will attend chapel to hear Amber Residori ’93/’17 Ed.D., dean of the College of Professional Studies and faculty member in the Ed.D. program, speak to the student body. In addition to faculty speakers and alumni testimonies, the event will include a tour of the University, a chance to explore Benner Library, a complimentary coffee pass to visit the campus Starbucks and breakout groups to connect with faculty on topics like adhering to Institutional Review Board standards, APA review and picking a dissertation topic.
“Any time you visit somewhere, you’re more invested in that place,” says Dr. Brown. “When you get a terminal degree from an institution, you want to feel fully invested and connected. We’ve found that being able to meet people you’ve corresponded with online in a face-to-face environment is super meaningful for the overall program experience of our students.”
The average cohort size of Olivet’s Ed.D. program is 10-12 students, so even students who can’t attend Doctorate Day 2025 will still benefit from the close-knit community that is built over three years of coursework with a committed team of full-time faculty.
Olivet’s unique Ed.D. program uses content area experts as chairs who teach the three interwoven dissertation courses. This allows students to engage in meaningful discussions of ethics, leadership, culture, strategy and change management, and then apply the knowledge to their unique area of interest. In the past year, the Higher Learning Commissions has authorized Olivet to recognize the specific academic track on students’ final transcripts if the dissertation content falls into a category of business, education, healthcare, law enforcement or ministry.
For more information about Ed.D. Day 2025, contact Dr. Brown. For more information about the next start date for Olivet’s Ed.D. program, visit Olivet.edu/EdD
