Knowles Johnson Institute of Graduate Studies

12/08/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT:

The Knowles Johnson Institute of Graduate Studies is proud to announce the launch of the Dr. Nancy LaPelle Scholarship Fund, established by Founder and President Dr. Rick Maybury Ph.D., together with the Board of Trustees.

From the inception of our vision, Dr. LaPelle worked tirelessly for 14 years to bring KJI to life. As an invaluable Founder, Nancy was a leader in shaping KJI’s extraordinary values and designing its research curriculum. Dr. LaPelle also served as the first KJI Research Chair and Dissertation Chair.

Nancy’s spirit of generosity, devotion to others’ growth, and exceptional integrity will forever be with us, guiding KJI’s culture and mission to offer learning experiences for fellow practitioners who also aspire to make a difference in others' lives.

Distinctly due to Nancy’s creativity and passion for KJI’s vision, her eternal legacy is the transformation of KJI students and the difference they make in the world.

Nancy embodied intelligence, compassion, and wisdom in all her work. She was an inspiration in her nurturing of others' potential. The Dr. Nancy LaPelle Scholarship Fund has been established to support the journey of deserving students who exemplify Nancy’s qualities and personal gifts.

Please join us in honoring Nancy’s life and supporting her aspirations. Your donation, of any size, will support opportunities for transformative student growth at the Knowles Johnson Institute of Graduate Studies.

For more information and to donate, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gtnQMr3w

For questions or additional information, reach out to [email protected].

To learn about our programs, visit: https://lnkd.in/gbxc32sP

The Knowles Johnson Institute of Graduate Studies is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) university licensed in the state of Massachusetts.

12/05/2025

Why KJI? Why Now?
Friday, December 5
12:00 p.m. ET
Zoom

REGISTER HERE: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/xUhoruwsSIWwU5sB6AKZxA
Join us today!

IMAGINE THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
Led by KJI’s President and Founder, Dr. Rick Maybury, this interactive webinar is a first step in exploring the potential of your future.
Join us for an introduction to the Knowles Johnson Institute for Graduate Studies—a revolutionary university uniquely designed for experienced Human Resource, Learning & Development, and leadership professionals seeking to transform the lives and organizations that they serve.

WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS DISCOVERY SESSION
KJI has been designed precisely for Human Resource professionals, Learning & Organization Development professionals, corporate and non-profit leaders and change agents that have a passion to transform organizations and optimize human potential.

KJI: A REVOLUTIONARY GRADUATE UNIVERSITY FOR EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS
KJI awards master’s and doctoral degrees in Human and Organizational Development. Every student and faculty member shares a common aspiration to make a difference in the lives of others. KJI prepares practitioners using transformative adult learning techniques such as:
-Students design their doctoral program, and individual courses, to focus on what they want to learn and the talents they are inspired to develop
-One-on-one, student to faculty learning with the option of collaborating on student teams for research and field practicums
-Mentored mastery learning model leading the students to the development expert proficiencies specifically in the contexts of the student’s choice
-Student-defined, field-based practicums in every course
-In-person, weekend intensives designed for and by the students to synergistically advance both their doctoral programs and personal careers
Flexible schedule enabling students to pursue their studies at a pace that accommodates their personal and professional lives

INSIGHTS YOU WILL GAIN
This brief meeting will provide an overview of:
- The learning and neuro sciences behind KJI’s adult development models
- Overview of KJI’s mission, philosophy, and student-centered learning model
- Insights to the integrated curriculum and nine specializations
- Potential for transfer of credits from other institutions
- Tuition and fees
- Q&A

Seating is limited to ensure a high-quality experience.

If you cannot attend but would like information, please email [email protected]
To learn about our programs, visit: https://www.knowlesjohnsoninstitute.org/

REGISTER HERE: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/xUhoruwsSIWwU5sB6AKZxA

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/kjigs/


The Knowles Johnson Institute of Graduate Studies is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) university licensed in the state of Massachusetts.

11/01/2025

We are thrilled to officially welcome our inaugural cohort of students—the first to embark on this transformational academic journey.

What makes this moment historic is not simply that classes are beginning—it is that the lost art of an individual-centric, classical education is being reimagined and brought to life through an entirely new model of graduate study.

Follow the Knowles Johnson Institute to see how this first chapter unfolds!

Visit us at https://www.knowlesjohnsoninstitute.org
Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/kjigs/

#

09/26/2025

The Knowles Johnson Institute of Graduate Studies (KJI) is excited to announce the appointment of Hilary Lyn to the position of Vice President of Strategic Development. KJI is entering a pivotal phase in its history with the launch of its inaugural student class and the full operation of its Professional Development School. Hilary will provide leadership in several key areas essential to helping KJI achieve its two-year sustainability goals.

KJI is an entrepreneurial university for experienced, aspirational professionals aiming to develop individuals' potential and optimize the design of the organizations they support. KJI is licensed to grant Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Human and Organizational Development with nine specializations, including Global Organizational Design, the Neuroscience of Leadership and Learning, the sciences of adult learning and instructional design, and Organizational Leadership in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Hilary brings more than a decade of leadership experience in higher education, most recently as Senior Director of Alumni and Strategic Engagement Initiatives at Fielding Graduate University, where she launched the institution’s first alumni association and led global campaigns that linked alumni engagement to recruitment and visibility. Her career also includes work in Fortune 500 strategy and nonprofit leadership, where she focused on growing donors, producing major events, and building partnerships that expanded organizational impact.

“Hilary is a profound talent with the aspiration to make a difference in the lives of our students. Her leadership experience, passions, and commitment to the growth of others are exactly what the KJI community needs at this early stage of our pioneering university,” said President Rick Maybury, PhD, president of KJI.

Demonstrating her excitement for KJI’s contribution to her career, Hilary has been accepted into the inaugural doctoral class — immersing herself fully in the KJI experience she is helping to shape and lead.

“I am honored to help shape KJI at this defining moment and equally inspired to learn as part of its inaugural doctoral class,” Hilary said. “It is rare to be part of something so innovative while experiencing it firsthand.”

Hilary will take a leadership role in building the KJI community, including student recruitment, strategic marketing, and partnership development, while supporting the Institute’s continued organizational and philanthropic growth.

For more information about our programs, visit https://www.knowlesjohnsoninstitute.org/
Join the journey — follow KJI on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/school/kjigs

10/07/2024

We are recruiting for our January 2025 class. This is an exciting opportunity for mid-career professionals who want to make a difference in the lives of others and the organizations they serve.

09/17/2024

A few seats are available. This is an online event. Please join us.
CEO ROUNDTABLE: ALL HANDS EVENT

Join CEO Roundtable and Dr. Richard Maybury, President of the Knowles Johnson Institute of Graduate Studies, for an insightful discussion on a crucial question: Why are more organizations requiring their teams to work together in the office? Many companies have observed diminishing business metrics particularly in areas like innovation, time to market, employee retention, scalability as well as customer retention. Scientific research reveals legitimate reasons for this shift, as key performance indicators continue to decline in the post-COVID era.

Dr. Richard Maybury will delve into the neuroscience of in-person collaboration, revealing how our brains are "wired" for enhanced neural activity when working face-to-face. Through real-world case studies, Dr. Maybury will discuss the latest in neuroscience research that is providing insights and models to influence staff to return to in-person engagements and the design of operations that are able to balance the interests of staff for work-life balance and the needs of business.

There are a few open seats. Here is the link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ceo-roundtable-virtual-event-the-impact-of-in-person-collaboration-tickets-1012542651327?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/30/2023

09/29/2023

The Knowles Johnson Institute of Graduate Studies is excited to launch a new video podcast series!

This series will focus on short discussions that help us celebrate what's unique about KJI. You'll meet KJI faculty, students, and board members, dive deeper into the learning methodologies KJI is founded on, and get the latest on the student experience.

This first podcast will serve as a great introduction for folks who are new to KJI, with Dr. Rick Maybury, founder and president. He'll discuss the KJI basics, motivations around creating this new educational institution, and what the learning experience looks like for our students.

To view the podcast, visit

09/26/2023

KJI ANNOUNCES FALL SCHEDULE

Registration is now open for the Knowles Johnson Institute’s Professional Education Courses scheduled during Fall 2023. Our Inaugural offerings include courses that KJI faculty have found to be essential for organizations seeking to develop their greatest asset, their people.

We are kicking off our Fall schedule with “Communicating With Influence,” (CWI) a three-day intensive from September 26-28 in-person in Danvers, MA. CWI is designed for professionals at all levels and will be contextualized for individual student’s professional development.

CWI helps participants develop the communication and influence skills needed to build team dynamics that lead to long-term organizational success. For example, participants learn and practice how to effectively and influentially send and receive messages in work environments that are, at times, volatile and antagonistic.

KJI’s public courses cost $2495 per seat, which includes course materials, breaks, lunch, and a certificate of completion. CE and CU credits can be obtained for some KJI courses. Follow this link to register.

The Fall schedule also includes “Team Leadership” (Oct. 24-26 and Nov. 28-30), “Managing Conflict” (Nov. 14-18) and “Communicating with Influence” (Oct. 17 - 19 and Dec. 12-14). Courses will be held at easily accessible venues in Danvers and Beverly.

Full course descriptions, an overview of KJI’s Profession Education program, and a deeper dive into the Knowles Johnson Institute and our unique approach to adult education can be found on our website, www.kjigs.org.

Any questions can be directed to John Beahm, KJI’s Director of Development & Marketing, [email protected].

09/20/2023