Becoming a better leader in all areas of life
“I believe every organization has a story worth telling, and the right story can inspire action, build trust, and create lasting impact,” says Michaela Morris ’18/’20 M.A., current student in the Doctor of Ethical Leadership (Ed.D.) program at Olivet Nazarene University. “Through my Ed.D. program, I’m learning how to help organizations empower their employees as they carry out their mission.”
Michaela already holds two degrees from Olivet: a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management, and a master’s degree in Pastoral Leadership. Her roommate, Kendra Leimbach ’17/’21 M.S.N., also holds two degrees from Olivet: a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a master’s degree in Nursing Education. Pursuing the Ed.D. degree together has been a blessing and encouragement for both Kendra and Michaela.
“What I’m learning about leadership in Olivet’s Ed.D. program is based on research, truth and faith,” Michaela says. “Leadership development is one of my passions. I’m so impressed by our depth of study on leadership while maintaining a faith-based, Christian focus. Our professors are very intentional about keeping the program current and preparing us to lead well in today’s culture and work environment.”
Exploring New Areas of Leadership
“A Study of the Engagement of Generation Z within the Church of the Nazarene” is Michaela’s dissertation topic. For her study, she is defining Gen Z as 18 to 24 years old. She began her dissertation at the beginning of her doctoral program, which has informed her coursework and also positioned her for success. Some of her discoveries have surprised her, including how strong generational ties with the Church are for many in Gen Z, even if they don’t have a lot of personal experience with a local church.
While she was in high school, Michaela was seeking what God was calling her to do. Her father, Jeff Morris, encouraged her to visit Olivet and find out more about the leadership program there. She did choose Olivet for her bachelor’s degree program.
During her undergrad years at Olivet, Michaela experienced a time of growing into leadership in the Church. She had felt a call to ministry, but she was doubting that call and trying to find a new path. Several faculty members invested in her during her that those years. Dr. Brad Thomas and Professor Tricia Krohmer encouraged her on a regular basis to pursue what God was calling her to do. As part of an event planning course she took with Professor Yvonne Chalfant ’97 MBA, Michaela was required to complete an internship with an organization in the local community.
“I connected with Pastor Andrew Twibell at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene for that internship,” Michaela recalls. “After I graduated from Olivet in 2018, I continued working on staff at the church as the Communications Pastor until 2020. During that time, he and Pastor Cindi Schimmelpfennig helped me figure out what a ministry path would look like for my life and what I needed to do to pursue that. In the midst of the 2020 pandemic, I felt God calling me to move back home and serve the local community and church where I had grown up.”
While serving at her home church, Michaela also began working for Mahaska Health as a marketing specialist. “I found a love for marketing during that time,” she says. “I was using the marketing principles and approaches I had learned at Olivet and at Kankakee First Church. I also continued to explore my gifts and follow God’s call on my life for ministry.”
Serving and Growing
Today, Michaela is the Director of Strategic Advancement at Imagine the Possibilities, a state-wide nonprofit organization in Iowa that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is also on staff as the Next Steps Pastor at Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
“I’m now working in the areas of my two greatest passions: communications and leadership,” she says. “And Olivet’s Ed.D. program is equipping me to be a better leader in both of those areas. I thank Dr. Jeff Williamson and Dr. Jay Martinson for their mentorship and leadership. They have been my professors in both my undergrad and Ed.D. degree programs.”
One of Michaela’s most important areas of growth has been in public speaking. She admits that presentations to groups, large or small, have been difficult for her. The presentation tools and strategies she is learning in the Ed.D. program — plus the helpful feedback and from her cohort and professors — have empowered her as a communicator. She recently spoke at a women’s retreat in Iowa and felt more confident in her abilities to share the story God placed on her heart.
“My Ed.D. program is also strengthening my skills in decision making,” Michaela says. “I used to get overwhelmed by decisions about how to move forward as an organization, as a team, and even for myself. Now, I have new tools to help me think clearly and cohesively about options, and to make decisions that will impact people in a positive way.”
One of Michaela’s biggest surprises about the Ed.D. program is the connections she has formed with the members of her cohort. “We are developing valuable friendships and supporting one another so well,” she says. “When we have exciting news to share or when we need encouragement in our lives, we are here for one another. In October 2025, we will gather on Olivet’s campus together for Ed.D. Day.”
As Michaela reflects on her experiences in the Ed.D. program, she is thankful for learning how to bring a team together to fulfill a mission and personally remain true to the foundations of leadership and Christian values. “I made the decision a long time ago to always say ‘yes’ to God,” she says. “Because of the foundation of Olivet’s educational programs, the investment from faculty, and the relationships built among peers, I am excited to continue answering the call as a leader with a renewed confidence.”
Learn more about ONU’s graduate degree programs at Olivet.edu/academics/graduate-programs. For more information or to enroll, email onlineadmissions@olivet.edu or call 877-465-4838.
