Newman University celebrates a milestone as its first Doctor of Business Administration cohort graduates. The unique program allowed students to maintain careers while earning doctoral degrees through a supportive, hybrid learning environment - the only DBA program in Kansas. Learn more by visiting: https://newmanu.edu/academics/dba-degree
-- In a ceremony marked by personal triumph and academic distinction, Newman University celebrated the graduation of its inaugural Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) cohort this weekend. The milestone event represents the culmination of a pioneering program designed to transform business professionals into scholar-practitioners without requiring them to step away from their careers.
"I am incredibly proud of what these graduates have accomplished," said Dr. Larry Straub, Director of Newman's DBA program. "Over the past three and a half to four years, we've all grown together. These students weren't just participants - they were co-creators of something truly unique in business education."
The graduates, representing diverse professional backgrounds from healthcare administration to data analytics to entrepreneurship, completed their doctoral journey while maintaining their careers and family responsibilities - a feat that traditional doctoral programs often make difficult, if not impossible.
Breaking the Doctoral Education Mold
Newman's DBA program stands apart from traditional doctoral education through what Dr. Straub describes as a "Goldilocks zone" approach - challenging enough to foster significant growth but structured to accommodate full lives outside of academia.
"We build people up, we don't tear them down," explained Dr. Straub. "We push them, we force them to grow, but they don't have to detach from their lives. They maintain their careers, their families, everything that matters to them while pursuing doctoral-level education. At many universities, that's simply not possible."
This supportive philosophy resonated deeply with the graduates. Terri Rice, a member of the first cohort who has since transitioned into teaching, praised the program's culture: "The professors are incredibly compassionate and understanding. They're also brilliant people who openly share not just academic knowledge but life experiences."
The Only DBA in Kansas
As the only Doctor of Business Administration program in Kansas, Newman University has filled a critical gap in regional business education. The program's hybrid delivery model combines periodic in-person residencies with online learning, making doctoral education accessible to working professionals without requiring relocation or career interruption.
The impact is already visible as several graduates have successfully transitioned into academic roles. Derrick Schartz, who spent over 30 years in sales and marketing before joining the program, secured a position as an assistant professor at Texas State University while still completing his degree.
"This opportunity at Newman helped me land that job and has set me up for future success in academia," Schartz said. "I now teach undergraduate courses in sales and run the internship program at the Center for Professional Sales."
Dissertation-Focused from Day One
One of the program's most innovative aspects is its approach to dissertation development. Rather than leaving students to tackle their dissertations after completing coursework - a common pitfall in doctoral education - Newman integrates dissertation work from the beginning.
"From day one, we were oriented toward our final dissertation," noted Schartz. "We started with the end in mind, and that made the journey much more manageable."
This methodology helps students avoid the "all-but-dissertation" trap that derails many doctoral candidates at other institutions. By aligning coursework with dissertation development, students make steady progress toward completion rather than facing a seemingly insurmountable research project after classes end.
Research with Real-World Impact
The program's scholar-practitioner model ensures that doctoral research addresses actual business challenges. Schartz's dissertation on motivating Gen Z salespeople yielded surprising insights that challenged conventional compensation approaches.
"If I had hired a Gen Z salesperson today without this research, I would have compensated them incorrectly," Schartz explained. "I would have put them under the same plan as millennials or baby boomers and said, 'Here's the comp plan, go be successful' - and that wouldn't have worked."
Another graduate, Angie McCoy, researched shared governance in higher education and discovered that "faculty members tend to think more personally, more departmentally, and not institutionally," highlighting the need to align individual perspectives with broader organizational goals.
The Power of the Cohort Model
Graduates consistently cited the cohort model as critical to their success. By moving through the curriculum as a group, students developed deep connections that supported their academic and personal growth through challenging periods.
"DBAs and doctorates, in general, are not easy, so you're going through the trenches together," said Rachel Mayberry, another first cohort graduate. "We were in every class together, experiencing the same challenges. That creates a bond unlike anything I've experienced in previous degree programs."
This sense of community maintained motivation through the inevitable challenges of doctoral study. "We had a natural cheerleading section," Mayberry emphasized. "Everyone was trying to get through it together, and we weren't leaving anyone behind."
Looking to the Future
As these graduates move forward in their careers - whether in academia, industry leadership, or entrepreneurship - they carry not just advanced knowledge but a transformed approach to business challenges. They embody the scholar-practitioner ideal, connecting academic theory with practical application.
For Dr. Straub, this first graduation brings both pride and humility: "Running a doctoral program makes you humble. You realize how much there is to learn, even as a program director."
Newman University continues to accept applications for future DBA cohorts, with information sessions scheduled throughout the coming months. Prospective students interested in learning more about the program can visit Newman's website at newmanu.edu/academics/dba-degree or contact Dr. Straub directly to discuss the application process.
"The first step is to start the application," advised Dr. Straub. "That gets you on my radar as program director. I'll then arrange a personal phone or video conference to explain our program philosophy in depth. After completing your application, we conduct an on-campus interview, and then we're off to the races."
Learn more by visiting: https://newmanu.edu/academics/dba-degree
Contact Info:
Name: Clark Schafer
Email: Send Email
Organization: Newman University
Address: 3100 McCormick , Wichita, Kansas 67213, United States
Website: https://newmanu.edu/
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