I am excited to share that beginning this fall, I will be starting a doctoral program in Educational Leadership at Johnson and Wales University (JWU) in Providence, RI! Earning a terminal degree is something that has been on my radar for a while, especially since I have been working in Higher Education since 1997. In order to advance to a senior level position in this field of work, earning this degree is a requirement.
Why Now?
Its the right time for my family and I. My girls with both be in school this fall, my wife and I are in jobs that we both love, and I’m motivated and committed to invest the necessary time to complete the task at hand. While I knew that there would never be a “perfect” time to start, deep down I knew that NOW is the time to do it.
Why JWU?
I know a number of friends and colleagues who have earned their doctoral degrees at JWU and all of them have had great experiences. After meeting with the faculty during my interview, I was encouraged to hear their support and interest in my passion for technology and higher education. They are excited to help me explore some questions that will inevitably lead to the research and defense of my dissertation topic. The program is a cohort model, that meets for classes on Friday’s (5pm-10pm) and Saturday’s (8am-6pm) every other week for two years. In the third year, I will take my comprehensive exams and defend my dissertation. This program operates at an fast, optimal speed… just like I try to 
I also find it poetic that I will be earning my terminal degree in my home state, 15 minutes from where I grew up.
Why an Ed.D vs a Ph.D.?
My completion goal is the spring of 2016 and the degree I will earn is a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and not a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). I went back and forth on this decision, but the bottom line for me is that the Ed.D. will allow me to pursue opportunities in senior level administration… sooner. Typically, a Ph.D. takes a few years longer to complete and would have been more expensive. Since I have no interest in being a University faculty member, the Ed.D. made the most sense for me in my career goals.
I will spend the summer preparing for making the transition back into the classroom and cutting back on the many things I do outside of family and work. Some of you who have recently been through a doctoral program will be hearing from me with some of the questions that are floating in my mind, including:
- How long did it take you to transition back into “academic writing?” What could I be doing this summer to start getting back in the swing?
- How did you balance your school, work, and family time?
- What pieces of technology (obviously) should I be looking into to help manage all the information I will be synthesizing?
- Any other advice you have for a new doctoral student?
The journey ahead to “Dr. Ed Cabellon” gets me both excited and terrified at the same time, and that’s why I know its right Thank you for letting me share my news with you all, more to come on this in the months ahead!
