Deborah Jones, EdD, DES/Office of Professional Development/Instructional Design Manager,
State of Arizona, Rehema Underwood, PhD, Grand Canyon University, Sherry Lowrance, PhD, Grand Canyon University, Nicholas Markette, EdD, Grand Canyon University, Vivian Spicer, EdD, Grand Canyon University, Andrew Houser, PhD, Manheim Central School District, Eric Gephart, EdD, Collins Aerospace, Genna Mulvey, PhD, Grand Canyon University
The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how doctoral graduates who attended a university in the Southwestern U.S. and completed their degrees between July 2020 and June 2021 perceived the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on their matriculation experience. The study was based on Vroom’s expectancy theory. The research question: How do doctoral graduates describe the influence of the global COVID-19 pandemic on their matriculation? The sample comprised 25 doctoral graduates who reside in the Southwestern U.S. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis. Four themes were found that contributed to student’s experiences during the global COVID-19 pandemic: (1) the COVID-19 pandemic influenced faster completion of the dissertation, (2) doctoral graduates described their experiences learning to be resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, (3) the COVID-19pandemic ignited global lifestyle changes, and (4) sharing experiences of living through a global pandemic. This study helps to provide a clear perspective on how unprecedented events can impact lives academically, personally, and professionally.
Keywords: COVID-19, Pandemic, Doctoral Journey