#United States #Phoenix #University of Phoenix #Doctoral Studies #Dissertation of the Year

University of Phoenix Announces the 2026 Dissertation Winners

The University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies has proudly revealed the winners of the 2026 Dissertation of the Year Award. This prestigious accolade acknowledges outstanding dissertations from its doctoral programs, showcasing the quality and rigor required in academic research. The award winners were meticulously chosen from a pool of 39 nominees through a stringent double-blind peer-review process, reinforcing the university's commitment to scholarly excellence in education, health, business, and management.

The honored recipients span various fields:
1. Doctor of Education - Dr. Tamara Betz: Her dissertation focused on self-care, stress, and burnout among middle school teachers in the Midwest, based on a qualitative narrative study. She was chaired by Dr. Anthony Fitzpatrick.
2. Doctor of Health Administration - Dr. Rosann Hamilton: Her research investigated the relationship between trait-emotional intelligence and help-seeking behaviors in Jamaicans, through a quantitative correlational study, supervised by Dr. Charles Elliott.
3. Doctor of Business Administration - Dr. Paul David White III: His dissertation analyzed employee compensation strategies, specifically rebalancing monetary and non-monetary package offerings. He worked under the guidance of Dr. Robert Krell.
4. Doctor of Management - Dr. Sheila-Marie Mofield: Her qualitative exploratory case study evaluated best practices among successful leaders in the VA prosthetics field, mentored by Dr. Andrew Beran.

The awards ceremony will take place during the 13th annual Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit on October 22-23, 2026. Professors and peers alike will celebrate the diligent efforts and significant findings presented by these doctoral candidates.

Recognizing Achievements and Impacts

Dr. Hinrich Eylers, Vice Provost of the College of Doctoral Studies, noted, "The Dissertation of the Year Award acknowledges the highest level of scholarly accomplishments among our doctoral students. It reflects the real-world relevance and the quality of research being conducted across our college. These winners demonstrate how practitioner-scholars can generate meaningful insights that contribute to their professions and communities while advancing the understanding of complex issues."

Each winner has shared personal reflections on their experiences conducting their research. For instance, Dr. Mofield highlighted the significance of her study related to veterans and healthcare:

"Receiving the Dissertation of the Year award is both deeply meaningful and an incredible honor because this research is personal. I strive to represent amputee family members, like myself, who have a connection to veterans' healthcare. I hope this work strengthens healthcare leadership and enhances quality of care for those who served."

Dr. White echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of understanding organizational challenges in compensation decisions. He stated:

"This recognition serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through perseverance and hard work. I hope my research promotes thoughtful decision-making and effective organizational strategies."

Moreover, Dr. Betz, who returned to her education after a 13-year hiatus, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring her findings to life beyond academic circles:

"Earning my doctorate was the most challenging adventure, and being named Dissertation of the Year feels surreal. I truly aim for my work to have a lasting impact beyond the pages of my dissertation."

Commitment to Scholarship and Practice

The Dissertation of the Year Award program was established to celebrate exemplary research contributions among University of Phoenix students who successfully defended their dissertations in the past year. Each dissertation is comprehensively evaluated by experts to ensure fairness and consistency throughout the selection process.

These prestigious accomplishments highlight the potential impact of practitioner-scholar research across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and business. By enabling doctoral candidates to focus on relevance in their fields, the University of Phoenix continues to foster innovation and progress towards addressing real-world challenges.

For more information about the College of Doctoral Studies and its research endeavors, visit the University of Phoenix's official website.