Earning a doctorate is a significant commitment — one that challenges you intellectually, professionally and personally. At Grand Canyon University’s College of Doctoral Studies, that journey is not meant to be taken alone.

In this collection of graduate testimonials, eight recent doctoral alumni share their candid experiences navigating rigorous coursework, life’s unexpected challenges and the dissertation process, all while being supported by a deeply invested community of faculty, chairs and student support teams.

Their stories reflect resilience, purpose and transformation, offering an authentic look at how the College of Doctoral Studies partners with students every step of the way to help them persevere, grow and ultimately achieve their doctoral goals.

The College of Doctoral Studies — they were excellent; various resources within the library. I felt very supported during this journey at GCU. Total growth all around — professionally, personally, spiritually, which is one of the things that I appreciate most about GCU.
— Dr. Cecelia Olivia Morris, EdD in Organizational Leadership

My student service counselors — I received a lot of support and they responded pretty quickly, which was nice. The responses were within 24 hours. They were full of information and full of knowledge. If they didn't know, they would try to find that information out for me.
— Dr. Kevin Smith, EdD in Organizational Leadership

The support that I received was immaculate. I am a transfer student from another university, so just coming here with applications all the way until my chair, so supportive, always there, so many resources.
— Dr. Paris Boyd, DHA in Operational Leadership

There's an institutional responsibility with having a very rigorous program, and that's providing a scaffolding to be able to help your students achieve. And I felt that I got that scaffolded support to get to this point right here, right now.
— Dr. Ernie Nix, PhD in General Psychology

I felt nurtured and supported throughout the entire process, and about halfway through the dissertation, I really started feeling I was running out of steam. So, there were times when I doubted, but my dissertation chair, and others in the program, really encouraged me to persevere and to think about it like a marathon, and to believe that the second wind was coming, and it did.
— Dr. Jeffrey Massey, PhD in General Psychology

I'm the first doctorate graduate in our family, on both sides of my mother and father. I'm not a young spring chicken. And so, it really required for me some strong dedication to a cause, and a purpose, and a fulfillment of a calling that I believe God has me on a mission for. I learned from this journey, in order to overtake challenges that come with a doctorate, it really requires you to be focused, enduring life challenges and persevering beyond those things that may otherwise cause you to stumble or even quit.
— Dr. Robert E.C. Jones Jr., EdD in Organizational Leadership

I had a stroke five years ago. I was a school principal for almost 30 years. Somebody that's that productive, to get to that point was challenging. My neurologist, she said, "Don't you dare get lazy on me." You wouldn't be able to understand me four years ago, let alone sit here with lights and cameras. I had a strong team. The student disability center was also very strong. Encouragement that my chair gave; we met weekly. For you to be able to complete this, it's on your own and you have to commit to doing it. And so, I met with her every Friday morning. I've got that accountability with her. That and the feedback that I got from her are the two most important things that got me to this point right now.
— Dr. Ernie Nix, PhD in General Psychology

Well, in the words of my wonderful chair, keep going. Life is going to keep going and you have to do the same. You have to be self-motivated. My mother transitioned two years ago, and one of the things that she told me was to keep going. I told her I wouldn't quit, this is our victory. Whenever I had moments where I wanted to throw in the towel, I could just hear mom from heaven saying, "Keep going."
— Dr. Cecelia Olivia Morris, EdD in Organizational Leadership

My biggest challenge throughout the program was actually having to take a break because I gave birth to my son. So, that was something that was a little unexpected, because he came really early. So, getting support and just having to take medical leave and then knowing that I was still going to have the same chair when I returned was really critical, because I didn't want to lose that momentum. So, just that support and guidance that was provided, and just the understanding that everybody provided for me. He's 10 months old, and he's here today to watch me walk across the stage.

— Dr. Kailey Fiedler, EdD in Organizational Leadership

I'm the first doctorate graduate in our family, on both sides of my mother and father. I'm not a young spring chicken. And so, it really required for me some strong dedication to a cause, and a purpose, and a fulfillment of a calling that I believe God has me on a mission for. I learned from this journey, in order to overtake challenges that come with a doctorate, it really requires you to be focused, enduring life challenges and persevering beyond those things that may otherwise cause you to stumble or even quit.
— Dr. Robert E.C. Jones Jr., EdD in Organizational Leadership

This degree is not about me. This degree is about people that will be reached through me. The biggest challenge in the program was learning how to manage my time. I'm a mom of six young children, and when I started the program, my youngest was two, so I quickly learned how to manage my time, and the learning curve is very steep, and I needed some help. So, family support, and I had an amazing committee, and I was able to finish my degree in two years and eight months because I had this support, and God was there with me all the way.
— Dr. Lily Skots, PhD in General Psychology

It's just not a matter of getting the degree, the piece of paper to hang up on the wall. All that's important, and it's awesome, but it's life and death for me, because if I get lazy, I get another stroke. I can't do that, so I’ve got to stay; keep my mind challenged, keep my body challenged.
— Dr. Ernie Nix, PhD in General Psychology

I'm grateful for this moment, grateful for the program, grateful for GCU. Resilience, determination — both can go hand-in-hand. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon, and just being determined to be able to stay on that path and not give up.
— Dr. Kevin Smith, EdD in Organizational Leadership

As these graduates’ stories show, GCU’s doctoral students are encouraged, challenged and equipped to move forward — even when the journey feels demanding. If you’re considering taking the next step in your academic and professional calling, now is the time to explore how GCU can support you on your own doctoral journey. Discover our doctoral programs and student resources to help turn your goals into lasting impact.