Baylor EdD - Learning & Organizational Change

What does it take to keep a school running after a hurricane or an earthquake?

Dr. Shaunté V. Jones went to Puerto Rico to find out. She studied how Head Start programs recovered after the 2020 earthquakes and Hurricane Maria, looking past the funding to see what actually helped the staff and students stay resilient.

The takeaway? Educators can only stay mission-driven if they feel supported. That means better mental health resources, safer buildings, and leadership that listens to parents and staff alike.

We love seeing our alumni taking their research out of the library and into the communities where it’s needed most. Way to go, Dr. Jones! 👏

It's time to celebrate the doctors in the room! We are incredibly proud to celebrate our Spring 2026 EdD in Learning and Organizational Change cohort, who also hold a monumental place in our history as the first EdD-LOC cohort to join alumni under our new name: the Moody School of Education.

Before officially stepping into the alumni ranks, these students had the opportunity to spend some quality time celebrating this achievement with their faculty advisors. We're so proud of their hard work and dedication to completing their degree!

More celebrations are in order! 🥂🎓

Meet the rest of the amazing Spring 2026 EdD-LOC students who have successfully defended their dissertations and graduate this week! Each of these new Doctors of Education have tackled a specific challenge in their industry, turning their research into a roadmap for change.

We are so proud of the work they’ve put in and the impact they’re already making in their communities. Cheers to our newest scholar-practitioners! 🐻💚

📍 Check the link in our bio for the full story on their research.

IT’S OFFICIAL! 🎓✨

Join us in celebrating the Spring 2026 EdD-LOC students who have successfully defended their dissertations and graduate this week! This is a culmination of years researching, late nights, and a deep commitment to solving complex problems in their workplaces, organizations, and industries.

Watching them move from student to “Doctor” is the best part of what we do. Congratulations on reaching the finish line! 🥳

📍 Link in bio to read more about their transformative work. Stay tuned to meet the rest of the cohort on Wednesday!

EdD-LOC faculty and students in Costa Rica 🇨🇷

Partnering with One More Child, they served, learned, and connected with local communities through work at Iglesia Bíblica Conce-Sion, Transforma, and in La Angelina.

Pura vida was more than a phrase posted in the local airport. It was a way of being that shaped their relationships, deepened learning, and highlighted the strengths within the community.

Deadline Extended! Apply by November 19th to join the EdD-LOC team on our first mission trip to Costa Rica!

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Ready to take your EdD-LOC journey global?

This spring, students in the EdD-LOC program have the opportunity to head to Costa Rica for the program's FIRST EVER mission trip—combining service, leadership, and the chance to share your professional expertise with local communities in San José, Costa Rica.

You'll work alongside organizations like One More Child and Transforma, connect with classmates and faculty, and gain a whole new perspective on what it means to lead with purpose.

Learn more and apply today! https://online.soe.baylor.edu/costarica

🌟 Alumni Research Showcase! 🌟

We are proud to celebrate the visionary work of Dr. Shannon C. Earle (Cohort 10)!

Dr. Earle’s dissertation, “A Charge to Keep: A Collective Case Study of the Critical Success Factors for Small United Methodist-related Colleges,” explores the key elements that contribute to institutional success in faith-based higher education. This collective case study identified critical success factors across three small United Methodist-related colleges, focusing on strategies that support enrollment, financial health, leadership, and church connection.

Her recommendations include:
1. Niche Programming: Colleges should identify and invest in unique academic or co-curricular programs that reflect institutional mission and meet regional needs to boost enrollment.
2. Philanthropic Support: Presidents and advancement staff must be well-resourced to cultivate donor relationships and secure funding, especially for tuition-dependent institutions.
3. Board & Presidential Collaboration: Strong relationships between the president and board—especially the board chair—are essential. Time should be dedicated to educating trustees on institutional strengths and governance best practices.
4. Church-College Connection: Active engagement with the Global Board of Higher Education and Ministry strengthens campus ministry and opens scholarship opportunities for students.

Dr. Earle’s research offers a strategic roadmap for small faith-based colleges to thrive in a changing higher education landscape. Join us in celebrating her commitment to sustaining mission-driven institutions! 🌍📖

🌟 Alumni Research Showcase! 🌟
We are proud to highlight the innovative work of Dr. Tatiana Marion Piche (Cohort 11)!

Dr. Piche’s study, “To the Pointe: A Narrative Inquiry Study Understanding Studio Teacher Experiences Using Culturally Relevant Pedagogy When Teaching Classical Ballet,” explores how ballet educators perceive and apply culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) to make performance conventions more inclusive. This qualitative narrative inquiry examined how four studio ballet teachers understood CRP and the strategies they used to foster equity in ballet instruction. The findings offer guidance for educators with limited engagement in CRP, showing how its principles can help dismantle barriers in traditional ballet pedagogy.

Her recommendations address four audiences:
1. For Instructors: Create inclusive spaces by considering students’ diverse identities to ensure all dancers have the opportunity to grow, thrive, and pursue their artistic passions.
2. For Studio Owners: Champion inclusive ballet curricula, rethink attire and training norms, and choose diverse, thought-provoking repertoire—while showcasing a wide ballet catalog so all dancers can see themselves in the art.
3. For Students & Families: Promote open communication and student-centered strategies and build strong, open relationships with teachers and studios.
4. For the Ballet Research Community: Continue advancing studio teaching methods to better connect theory with real-world practice.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Piche’s commitment to transforming ballet education and empowering all dancers to thrive!

Congratulations to these exceptional students who have successfully defended their Problem of Practice Dissertations in Baylor University’s Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change (EdD-LOC) program! These practitioner-scholars have shown remarkable dedication, insight, and leadership. Upon commencement in December, they will earn the title of Doctor—a testament to their perseverance and commitment.

Join us in celebrating these outstanding leaders as they take the next step in transforming organizations!

🟡 Lé Selah Richardson: “Exploring the Workplace Stressors and Coping Skills of Black Women in Medical Leadership: A Qualitative Single-Case Study” (Chair, Dr. Melanie Meyer)
🟢 Veronica Narváez: “Lean In To Lean Empowerment: A Convergent Mixed Methods Study on the Relationship Between Lean Implementation and Workplace Empowerment for Women Lean Practitioners” (Chair, Dr. Corina Kaul)
🟡 Kimberly Ann Loving: “The Cost of the Climb: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study Exploring Intersectionality and Black Women's Journeys to Executive Leadership” (Chair, Dr. Melanie Meyer)
🟢 Brittany Parrish: “Beyond Demographics Towards Connectivism: A Correlational Quantitative Study Examining How Age, Race, Education Level, and Online Learning Experience Predict Self-Efficacy in Technology Use, Communication, Self-Regulation, and Motivation During Online Learning for Community College Students” (Chair, Dr. Marquita Foster)
🟡 Jacquice Jones: “Beyond the Numbers: A Qualitative Holistic Case Study Examining Special Education Teacher Attrition from Voices Who Left the Classroom in Greater Houston” (Chair, Dr. Jessica Meehan)
🟢 David Tell: “Perceptions of Citizenship through Civic Action: A Qualitative Case Study of Personally Responsible, Participatory, and Social Justice-Oriented Citizenship in 6th and 7th Graders” (Chair, Dr. Marquita Foster)

Ready to take your EdD-LOC journey global?

This spring, students in the EdD-LOC program have the opportunity to head to Costa Rica for the program's FIRST EVER mission trip—combining service, leadership, and the chance to share your professional expertise with local communities in San José, Costa Rica.

You'll work alongside organizations like One More Child and Transforma, connect with classmates and faculty, and gain a whole new perspective on what it means to lead with purpose.

Learn more and apply today!
https://online.soe.baylor.edu/costarica