Scholars honored for work examining online doctoral education, career optimism and healthcare leadership will be celebrated at the Oct. 22–23 Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit

PHOENIX, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies announces the recipients of its inaugural President’s Award, recognizing excellence in research, scholarship and doctoral inquiry that contributes to knowledge and professional practice in organizational effectiveness, leadership and professional development. The award-winning works use quantitative research, thematic analysis and qualitative narrative inquiry to examine challenges in online doctoral education, workforce development and healthcare leadership. The award recipients will be honored on Friday, Oct. 23, during the University’s 13th annual Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit, held virtually Oct. 22–23, 2026.

“Strong scholarship begins with meaningful questions and uses rigorous approaches to develop insights that can inform professional practice,” said Kimberly Underwood, PhD, chair, Center for Organizational Wellness, Engagement and Belonging (CO-WEB) at University of Phoenix. “These award recipients have taken different approaches, from quantitative research to thematic analysis and qualitative inquiry, but each work contributes valuable perspectives to challenges facing educators, employers and organizational leaders. Their work demonstrates the important role of academic research in advancing our understanding of complex organizational issues and offers meaningful insights into the conditions that help people feel connected, supported and able to contribute.”

Meet the 2026 President’s Award recipients

Research Award: Marlene Blake, PhD; Sushil Jindal, PhD; and Martha Zepeda, DNP

Impact of Faculty and Curriculum on Online Doctoral Integration: A Quantitative Perspective

Published in College and University, this quantitative study examines the relationship between faculty engagement, peer connections, curriculum and online doctoral students’ academic and social integration. Drawing on survey responses from 265 doctoral students, the researchers found significantly higher levels of faculty and curriculum integration among students who entered a redesigned doctoral program in 2020 or later, compared with those enrolled before the redesign. The findings underscore the importance of intentional faculty engagement, structured academic support and meaningful connections in fostering connection within online doctoral education.

Scholarship Award: Christine Marquis, DM; Marlene Blake, PhD; and Scott McCalla, DM

Five Years of Insights from the Career Optimism Index: Shifting Sentiments and the Future of Work

Using a structured thematic analysis, the scholars synthesized findings from five annual University of Phoenix Career Optimism Index® reports, identifying patterns in workforce sentiment between 2021 and 2025. Led by Dr. Christine Marquis during her doctoral student experience, the work identifies persistent worker resilience and career optimism alongside challenges involving burnout, skill development, artificial intelligence and disconnects between employer and employee perceptions. A central finding suggests that workers increasingly rely on personal adaptability and self-direction to sustain career optimism, highlighting opportunities for organizations to strengthen employee support, skill development and career growth pathways.

Dissertation Award: Ashley Meredith, DHA

Exploring Organizational Strategies for Black Women in Healthcare Leadership: A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry

Dr. Meredith, who earned her Doctor of Health Administration degree from University of Phoenix in 2026, conducted a qualitative study exploring organizational conditions that support or hinder Black women’s progression into healthcare leadership. Through interviews with 15 Black women working in healthcare across the United States, her research identified challenges involving organizational structures and access to leadership opportunities. Her findings offer recommendations for more transparent advancement pathways, meaningful mentorship and sponsorship, and greater organizational accountability in leadership development.

The President’s Award for Organizational Excellence and Empowerment was established in 2026 to recognize scholarly contributions to organizational excellence and professional practice. Every submission was scored by the Research, Scholarship & Thought Leadership working group of the President’s Advisory Council on Community & Engagement through a review process evaluating alignment with the award’s purpose, contributions to knowledge and practice, demonstrated impact and innovation.

Award recipients to be honored at the 2026 Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit

The award recipients will be recognized during the 2026 Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit, a virtual research conference sponsored by the College of Doctoral Studies and the Research and Scholarship Enterprise. This year’s theme, “Research as Sense-Making in Times of Uncertainty,” invites scholars, practitioners and community partners to explore how research can inform understanding, reflection and responsible action amid evolving social, economic and organizational challenges.

The President’s Award ceremony will take place Friday, Oct. 23, during the Summit’s opening session beginning at 10 a.m. Arizona time, followed by presentations from the award recipients at 11 a.m. Scholarship Award recipient Scott McCalla, DM, will also serve as the Summit’s keynote speaker.

The Summit is open to external guests, free to attend, and registration is available here.

About the College of Doctoral Studies
University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit the University of Phoenix website. 

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SOURCE University of Phoenix