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°®¶¹´«Ã½ Commencement Ceremonies Phoenix 2026
Hear from four 2026 graduates about their °®¶¹´«Ã½ journeys.
Dr. Bria James
Listen on SpotifyÂ
Dr. Bria James graduated from °®¶¹´«Ã½ with a Doctor of Business Administration. She discusses the role of family support, discipline, and lifelong learning in her success. Find out how the Doctorate in Business Administration process works, what students should consider before pursuing it, and why this level of education can shape leadership opportunities and personal growth.
Chapter 1: Celebrating Achievement and Support
Dr. Bria James (0:00)
I'm just extremely proud. My childhood best friend drove all the way to see me. My aunts are here. I felt the love today.
Dr. Bria James (0:09)
So many people came from different places to celebrate with me.
Host (0:16)
Eighteen people traveled across the country to be here. What was the draw?
Dr. Bria James (0:22)
I think they believe in me. They support me no matter what. If I told them I was graduating next month, they would simply say, "Okay, let's go."
Dr. Bria James (0:33)
I have a very strong support network. I simply told them I was graduating and invited them to my commencement ceremony.
Dr. Bria James (0:43)
Their response was, "We'll be there." No questions asked. That's my family.
Chapter 2: Welcome to Degrees of Success
Host (0:57)
Hello and welcome to the Degrees of Success podcast. I'm your host, Stephen Paskel.
Host (1:05)
We're here in Phoenix at the 2026 commencement, and I'm joined by Miss Bria James.
Host (1:13)
Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself.
Dr. Bria James (1:13)
Hello everyone. I am Dr. Bria James. I was born and raised on the island of St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands, and I'm now a proud alumna of the °®¶¹´«Ã½.
Host (1:30)
Tell us what degree you just earned.
Dr. Bria James (1:30)
I earned my Doctorate in Business Administration.
Host (1:39)
You've earned it, so from this point forward you're Dr. James.
Host (1:48)
Tell us about your journey. What brought you to the °®¶¹´«Ã½?
Dr. Bria James (1:57)
I definitely have to give credit to my brother, Brendan James. He was instrumental in encouraging me to apply.
Dr. Bria James (2:08)
He started first, convinced me to join him, and I did.
Dr. Bria James (2:12)
The journey wasn't easy, but I learned so much about becoming a scholar, practitioner, and leader.
Dr. Bria James (2:21)
Those are principles that are heavily emphasized throughout the doctoral program.
Chapter 3: Journey to a Doctorate: Overcoming Challenges
Host (2:27)
Take me back a little further. Getting to this point obviously required writing a dissertation, defending it, and overcoming plenty of challenges. Tell me about your background.
Dr. Bria James (2:44)
As I mentioned, I'm from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Dr. Bria James (2:51)
It's a beautiful 84-square-mile island near Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.
Dr. Bria James (2:58)
I graduated as valedictorian from St. Croix Central High School.
Dr. Bria James (3:03)
After that I attended Hampton University, an HBCU, then returned home before completing additional education through Nova Southeastern University Online and eventually the °®¶¹´«Ã½.
Host (3:18)
What has driven you through all of that?
Dr. Bria James (3:26)
I simply love learning.
Dr. Bria James (3:35)
I feel like I'll always be a student. I can learn from a two-year-old or from someone who's 50 years old.
Dr. Bria James (3:41)
Completing my doctorate has been a lifelong dream.
Dr. Bria James (3:51)
Finally accomplishing it today really speaks to my perseverance and character.
Host (3:58)
You've accomplished so much in a relatively short period of time.
Dr. Bria James (4:07)
I'm 28 years old.
Host (4:15)
Has this been an easy journey with nothing but school?
Dr. Bria James (4:23)
Not exactly. My parents never wanted me to work while I was in school, especially during undergrad.
Dr. Bria James (4:31)
My mom always told me, "Just focus on your education and bring home good grades."
Dr. Bria James (4:39)
Because of that support, I developed confidence and independence as I continued through my master's and doctoral programs.
Dr. Bria James (4:57)
They made me believe that if I truly put my mind to something, I could accomplish it.
Chapter 4: The Role of Family and Community
Host (4:57)
Tell me about your support system.
Dr. Bria James (5:07)
I have one of the best support systems imaginable.
Dr. Bria James (5:14)
My mother, father, and my entire family came here to celebrate today.
Host (5:22)
You said you're from St. Croix. How many family members came?
Dr. Bria James (5:22)
Eighteen.
Host (5:29)
Eighteen? They all came?
Dr. Bria James (5:29)
Some flew, some drove. Family members from Texas and nearby states drove here for commencement.
Host (5:36)
How does that kind of support make you feel?
Dr. Bria James (5:47)
It's incredible.
Dr. Bria James (5:54)
I saw classmates giving away extra commencement tickets because they didn't have family attending.
Dr. Bria James (6:01)
That made me realize how important family support truly is.
Dr. Bria James (6:09)
Every single person who came could have been anywhere else in the world, but they chose to be here with me.
Dr. Bria James (6:12)
That truly warms my heart.
Host (6:23)
Many people have support systems, but not everyone chooses to keep learning. What's been your driving force?
Dr. Bria James (6:46)
I lean on God.
Dr. Bria James (6:54)
I'm a Christian, and I ask Him to give me the strength to overcome every obstacle that comes my way.
Dr. Bria James (7:01)
With God, I know I can do anything.
Host (7:01)
How many people from St. Croix have a story like yours?
Dr. Bria James (7:09)
Not many, but I hope to change that narrative.
Host (7:17)
What impact do you think you'll have on your hometown?
Dr. Bria James (7:25)
I hope my community respects me, but more importantly, I hope they become inspired.
Dr. Bria James (7:33)
Whether someone is pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate, I want them to keep going.
Dr. Bria James (7:41)
One of my former roommates came to commencement today.
Dr. Bria James (7:47)
After attending, she told me she wants to go back to school. My brother does too.
Dr. Bria James (7:54)
If I can inspire people around me like that, I can't even imagine the impact I'll have when I return home to St. Croix.
Host (8:04)
What's next for you?
Dr. Bria James (8:04)
I have a lot of plans.
Dr. Bria James (8:14)
I'm going to let God direct my path. I'm not going to announce exactly what's next, but you'll definitely be hearing more from me.
Chapter 5: Inspiration, Family, and Future Aspirations
Host (8:22)
Your mother is here with us today. Tell me about the influence she's had on your life.
Dr. Bria James (8:30)
My dissertation is actually dedicated to my mother.
Dr. Bria James (8:40)
She was a social worker, educator, and principal.
Dr. Bria James (8:47)
She instilled the value of education in both my brother and me from an early age.
Dr. Bria James (9:00)
Because of her, I always wanted to keep reading, learning, and exposing myself to new experiences.
Dr. Bria James (9:09)
I love my mom dearly.
Host (9:13)
As parents, we all hope our children accomplish even more than we have. How do you think your achievements have made your mom feel?
Dr. Bria James (9:35)
Extremely proud.
Dr. Bria James (9:43)
She told me that simply watching me receive my doctoral hood today was one of the most emotional moments of her life.
Dr. Bria James (9:51)
My mom, my brother, and I have always been incredibly close.
Dr. Bria James (9:59)
One thing I've always appreciated is that I could never disappoint her.
Dr. Bria James (10:08)
Even when I made mistakes, she always encouraged me by saying, "Let's try again."
Dr. Bria James (10:15)
She has always been my greatest supporter, and I will forever be grateful to her.
Dr. Bria James (10:37)
And I don't want to leave out my father. He has also been incredibly supportive throughout this journey.
Chapter 6: Advice for Future Scholars
Host (10:54)
Many people watching this may not even believe a doctorate is possible for them. What would you tell them?
Dr. Bria James (11:14)
The race is not for the swift, but for those who endure to the end.
Dr. Bria James (11:22)
Your journey and my journey will never look exactly the same.
Dr. Bria James (11:29)
But in your own time, you've got this.
Host (11:36)
Dr. James is living proof that consistency and perseverance matter.
Host (11:44)
Anything else you'd like to share?
Dr. Bria James (11:44)
Anytime I'm given an opportunity like this, I want to represent my home, the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Dr. Bria James (11:51)
If you've never been, I encourage you to visit.
Dr. Bria James (11:59)
You don't even need a passport—just bring your driver's license.
Host (12:06)
You may have a future in tourism marketing as well.
Host (12:15)
Thank you for sharing your story. It's inspiring to see someone so focused with such a clear vision.
Dr. Bria James (12:24)
Thank you. And I also want to mention again my support system.
Dr. Bria James (12:32)
My grandmother came. My sister traveled from New York with her husband. My childhood best friend drove here.
Dr. Bria James (12:42)
I truly felt the love today.
Host (12:49)
Eighteen people traveled to celebrate you. Why?
Dr. Bria James (12:58)
Because they believe in me.
Dr. Bria James (13:09)
I simply told them I was graduating and invited them to commencement.
Dr. Bria James (13:19)
Their response was, "We'll be there." That's my family.
Host (13:26)
That really demonstrates the power of community.
Host (13:36)
We look forward to hearing many more great things about Dr. James.
Host (13:45)
One final question. How long did it take you to earn your doctorate?
Dr. Bria James (13:52)
Under four years.
Host (14:00)
Was it easy?
Dr. Bria James (14:00)
It was not easy, but I made it.
Host (14:06)
And anyone else committed to finishing can do it too?
Dr. Bria James (14:14)
Absolutely. If I can do it, you can do it too.
Host (14:14)
Thank you, Dr. James. I'm Stephen Paskel, and thank you for joining us from the 2026 °®¶¹´«Ã½ Commencement.
Dr. Paul White
Listen on SpotifyÂ
Dr. Paul White graduated from °®¶¹´«Ã½ with a Doctor of Business Administration. Listen as he explains his path from career shifts to earning a doctoral degree, the dissertation experience and time commitment.
Chapter 1: Lifelong Learning and Curiosity
Dr. Paul David White III (0:00)
The more I delved into the DBA, the Doctor of Business Administration, the more it showed me how much I didn't know.
Dr. Paul David White III (0:08)
I think that's the interesting thing. At some point you graduate and become a doctor, but there's still so much more to learn.
Dr. Paul David White III (0:17)
One of the things I love most is the idea of lifelong learning.
Dr. Paul David White III (0:21)
Not stopping when you earn your degree or graduate, but keeping that childlike wonder alive inside you and continuing to learn and grow throughout your life.
Dr. Paul David White III (0:37)
I think that's incredibly important.
Chapter 2: Introduction and Dr. White's Background
Host (0:40)
Hello and welcome to the Degrees of Success podcast.
Host (0:54)
I'm your host, Stephen Paskel, and we're here in Phoenix at the 2026 commencement. Today we're joined by a brand-new doctor.
Host (1:04)
Could you introduce yourself?
Dr. Paul David White III (1:04)
Yes. My name is Dr. Paul David White III. I'm very excited to be here and very excited to have this opportunity to speak with you.
Host (1:21)
Today is commencement, and you've certainly earned the title. If it's okay, I'll be calling you Dr. White.
Dr. Paul David White III (1:30)
Absolutely.
Host (1:30)
Tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to this moment.
Dr. Paul David White III (1:45)
It's interesting because sometimes where we begin isn't where we end up.
Dr. Paul David White III (1:52)
I originally started my career in the mortgage industry.
Dr. Paul David White III (2:01)
When the economy changed, I found myself going back to school.
Dr. Paul David White III (2:08)
I finished my bachelor's degree, then decided to earn my MBA.
Dr. Paul David White III (2:16)
After that I thought, "Why not pursue a doctorate?"
Dr. Paul David White III (2:24)
Now, if I had known how much work the doctorate required, I might have hesitated.
Dr. Paul David White III (2:33)
Along the way, I advanced professionally and now serve as the controller for a nonprofit organization.
Dr. Paul David White III (2:40)
One of the biggest motivations for continuing my education was setting an example for my children.
Dr. Paul David White III (2:52)
I wanted them to see that you're never too old to reinvent yourself or improve your life through education.
Chapter 3: The Importance of Lifelong Learning and Curiosity
Host (3:00)
Family is something that's universal. Tell me what kept motivating you to continue from a bachelor's degree to a master's and then ultimately to a doctorate.
Dr. Paul David White III (3:30)
Part of it is believing in perpetual self-improvement.
Dr. Paul David White III (3:38)
That mindset has always driven me.
Dr. Paul David White III (3:46)
Watching my children grow, watching them succeed, and also watching them fail taught me something important.
Dr. Paul David White III (3:53)
Failure is part of life.
Dr. Paul David White III (4:00)
The important thing isn't avoiding failure—it's getting back up afterward.
Dr. Paul David White III (4:10)
When my mortgage career stalled, I realized I wasn't standing on top of the hill anymore.
Dr. Paul David White III (4:24)
Education became my path back up.
Dr. Paul David White III (4:33)
Someone once told me that if you've been given a gift, you have an obligation to pursue it.
Dr. Paul David White III (4:44)
I wanted my children to see that firsthand.
Dr. Paul David White III (4:52)
As a result, two of my children went on to earn bachelor's degrees from the °®¶¹´«Ã½, and I'm incredibly proud of them.
Chapter 4: Embracing Failure as a Learning Experience
Host (5:08)
Not everything along the way was linear. Talk to me about failure and why it's such an important part of success.
Dr. Paul David White III (5:25)
Failure is a learning opportunity.
Dr. Paul David White III (5:30)
One of the humbling lessons I learned during my doctorate was that failure isn't just okay—sometimes it's necessary.
Dr. Paul David White III (5:40)
Without those difficult moments, you often don't see the bigger picture.
Dr. Paul David White III (5:46)
I tried not to take setbacks personally.
Dr. Paul David White III (5:53)
When life gets hard, it's difficult not to, but I focused on gratitude and on what was within my control.
Dr. Paul David White III (6:04)
I kept asking myself what I could do to improve my own life and eventually help others.
Dr. Paul David White III (6:20)
Life is going to knock all of us down.
Dr. Paul David White III (6:24)
The important part is getting back up, pursuing excellence, and focusing on what you can control.
Chapter 5: The Challenges and Rewards of Pursuing a Doctorate
Host (6:56)
For those considering a doctorate, tell us what that journey was really like.
Dr. Paul David White III (7:04)
For me, it took four years.
Dr. Paul David White III (7:11)
I've heard of people finishing in under three years, and I have tremendous respect for them.
Dr. Paul David White III (7:21)
When I started the doctorate, it honestly felt like the gates of hell opened.
Dr. Paul David White III (7:36)
It was a refining process.
Dr. Paul David White III (7:48)
The amount of work required was astonishing.
Dr. Paul David White III (8:02)
It's almost like completing several master's degrees simultaneously.
Dr. Paul David White III (8:09)
During the final two months of my dissertation alone, I invested roughly 300 hours.
Dr. Paul David White III (8:19)
Some weeks I was putting in 20 to 30 hours on top of working full time.
Dr. Paul David White III (8:43)
People always ask if it was worth it.
Dr. Paul David White III (8:50)
Absolutely.
Dr. Paul David White III (8:59)
It's like climbing Mount Everest. The journey is brutal, but standing at the top makes it worthwhile.
Dr. Paul David White III (9:13)
After successfully defending my dissertation, it still took time for it to sink in that I had become Dr. White.
Dr. Paul David White III (9:31)
It was a surreal experience.
Chapter 6: Humility, Mentorship, and Learning from Instructors
Host (10:19)
You've now completed a bachelor's, a master's, and a doctorate. What lessons would you share with students just beginning that journey?
Dr. Paul David White III (10:50)
I'll tell you a funny story.
Dr. Paul David White III (10:59)
After graduating from my MBA with a 4.0 GPA, I felt pretty good about myself.
Dr. Paul David White III (11:09)
Then I entered my doctoral program and failed my very first paper.
Host (11:18)
You received an F?
Dr. Paul David White III (11:18)
Yes.
Dr. Paul David White III (11:27)
My professor explained that doctoral writing is completely different.
Dr. Paul David White III (11:35)
It requires a different level of scholarly thinking.
Dr. Paul David White III (11:39)
That experience taught me one lesson that carried me through the rest of the program:
Dr. Paul David White III (11:39)
Be humble.
Dr. Paul David White III (11:51)
Listen to your instructors. They've already walked the path.
Dr. Paul David White III (11:59)
I followed my professor's guidance exactly, and my next paper earned an A.
Dr. Paul David White III (12:12)
We all have a tendency to think we know best.
Dr. Paul David White III (12:21)
But when you're in school, your instructors know the process.
Dr. Paul David White III (12:29)
My dissertation chair challenged me constantly.
Dr. Paul David White III (12:36)
At first, I struggled with that.
Dr. Paul David White III (12:47)
But by the end of the program, I realized he had always had my best interests in mind.
Dr. Paul David White III (12:59)
For anyone beginning this journey, be humble and trust your instructors.
Chapter 7: The Value of Continuous Education and Curiosity
Dr. Paul David White III (13:13)
One of the biggest lessons from the DBA was realizing how much I still didn't know.
Dr. Paul David White III (13:26)
You earn the title of doctor, but there's still an endless amount left to learn.
Dr. Paul David White III (13:34)
One of the things I love about the °®¶¹´«Ã½ is its emphasis on lifelong learning.
Dr. Paul David White III (13:40)
Don't stop learning just because you've earned a degree.
Dr. Paul David White III (13:56)
Keep your curiosity alive throughout your life.
Chapter 8: Key Lessons for Aspiring Students
Host (14:08)
As we wrap up, what are one or two lessons you'd want listeners to take away from your journey?
Dr. Paul David White III (14:18)
First, rely on your support network.
Dr. Paul David White III (14:24)
My family sacrificed alongside me throughout this entire journey.
Dr. Paul David White III (14:44)
Lean on your friends and family, and include them in your journey.
Dr. Paul David White III (15:01)
Not everyone in your family has to pursue the same goals, but they can still be part of your success.
Host (15:15)
That's powerful.
Dr. Paul David White III (15:23)
My siblings and I became the first generation in our family to earn college degrees.
Dr. Paul David White III (15:31)
My parents and grandparents were incredibly intelligent people.
Dr. Paul David White III (15:40)
They simply didn't always have the same educational opportunities.
Dr. Paul David White III (15:48)
I realized I had an opportunity to continue that legacy.
Dr. Paul David White III (15:59)
My victories are their victories.
Dr. Paul David White III (16:08)
I didn't achieve this alone. They were part of every step.
Chapter 9: Encouragement and Final Advice for Learners
Host (16:33)
If someone is standing at a crossroads, unsure whether to begin their educational journey, what would you tell them?
Dr. Paul David White III (16:50)
Consistency is one of the most important qualities you can develop.
Dr. Paul David White III (16:57)
Hard work matters, but consistency matters even more.
Dr. Paul David White III (17:06)
Especially if you're learning online, develop habits and discipline.
Dr. Paul David White III (17:14)
Keep going, even when you don't feel like it.
Dr. Paul David White III (17:22)
Eventually those habits become part of who you are.
Dr. Paul David White III (17:33)
If you're passionate about something, stick with it.
Dr. Paul David White III (17:37)
Don't give up.
Host (17:42)
There you have it. Dr. Paul White sharing some incredible lessons with all of us.
Host (17:50)
Thank you for taking the time to inspire us and for setting such a wonderful example.
Host (17:58)
I'm Stephen Paskel, and thank you for joining us from the 2026 °®¶¹´«Ã½ Commencement.
Deann Smith
Listen on SpotifyÂ
Deann Smith graduated from °®¶¹´«Ã½ with an Associate Degree in Business. She discusses how she overcame major life challenges to earn her first college degree. Listen as she discusses how the Associate Degree in Business program works, what it takes to stay consistent, and what individuals should consider when returning to school after difficult life circumstances.Â
Chapter 1: Overcoming Adversity: A Journey from Homelessness to Graduation
Deann Smith (0:00)
I had to overcome a lot of things in my life, one of them being homelessness.
Deann Smith (0:05)
During that period, it became both a lesson and a blessing because I was learning about myself.
Deann Smith (0:13)
I was learning how to become a strong person on my own, and I was learning how to balance different aspects of life.
Deann Smith (0:19)
I realized I needed more for myself, and I needed to become the best version of me that I could be.
Deann Smith (0:25)
While I was earning my high school diploma, that journey eventually led me to finding the °®¶¹´«Ã½.
Host (0:36)
Hello and welcome to the Degrees of Success podcast.
Host (0:51)
I'm your host, Stephen Paskel, and we're here in Phoenix at the 2026 Commencement.
Host (0:59)
I'm joined today by one of our graduates. Could you introduce yourself?
Deann Smith (0:59)
My name is Deann Smith.
Host (1:06)
Congratulations. Are you excited today?
Deann Smith (1:06)
I am. I'm nervous, but I'm definitely excited.
Chapter 2: Deann's Background and Finding Her Path
Host (1:13)
I'd love for our viewers and listeners to get to know you. Tell us a little about yourself.
Deann Smith (1:21)
I was born and raised in Chicago, and I now live in Gary, Indiana.
Deann Smith (1:27)
I have two children. My oldest daughter still lives in Chicago, and my son is here with me today.
Deann Smith (1:36)
I'm 39 years old—almost 40—and this is my very first college degree.
Host (1:44)
Congratulations. I had the opportunity to meet your son earlier. He's a wonderful young man.
Host (1:52)
What degree are you earning today?
Deann Smith (1:52)
I'm earning my Associate of Arts in Business.
Host (2:01)
What brought you to this moment?
Deann Smith (2:05)
My son... and my grit.
Host (2:13)
Tell me about that grit.
Deann Smith (2:22)
I've had to overcome many things in my life, including homelessness.
Deann Smith (2:25)
During that period, I learned how to become stronger and more independent.
Chapter 3: The Power of Grit and Self-Discovery
Deann Smith (2:37)
While I was homeless, I learned how to balance life and realized I wanted more for myself.
Deann Smith (2:47)
I knew I needed to become the best version of myself.
Deann Smith (2:51)
While staying in a motel in Indiana, I was working toward my high school diploma.
Deann Smith (3:03)
Earning that diploma eventually led me to the °®¶¹´«Ã½.
Host (3:10)
There's so much packed into that story.
Host (3:20)
You're about to walk across the stage and receive your associate degree after experiencing homelessness.
Host (3:28)
What gave you the drive to move from where you were then to where you are today?
Deann Smith (3:38)
For the first time in my life, I chose myself.
Deann Smith (3:45)
I started telling myself things that nobody else had ever told me.
Deann Smith (3:53)
It was time to love myself and invest in myself.
Deann Smith (4:03)
I always knew I was intelligent, but growing up in foster care and group homes affected my self-esteem.
Deann Smith (4:17)
I wanted to become a better person for my son.
Deann Smith (4:27)
I had to rebuild myself from the inside out.
Host (4:35)
Thank you for sharing that. There are people listening today who may be struggling with similar challenges.
Host (4:54)
What would you tell someone who feels like they'll never be able to earn a degree?
Deann Smith (5:02)
Don't let anything define you.
Deann Smith (5:12)
It's okay to start from the bottom and work your way up.
Deann Smith (5:20)
Stand in your strength, stand in your truth, and keep moving forward.
Deann Smith (5:29)
Your past does not define you. What you choose to do today defines who you become.
Chapter 4: Faith and Support: The Role of God and Community
Host (5:33)
No one accomplishes something like this entirely alone. Who helped you along the way?
Deann Smith (5:50)
Do you want the honest answer?
Host (5:50)
Absolutely.
Deann Smith (5:58)
God.
Deann Smith (6:00)
Because I chose to believe.
Deann Smith (6:15)
When I took that first step, God took the next one.
Deann Smith (6:20)
The first school I looked at wasn't the right fit.
Deann Smith (6:30)
I went home and cried, asking God what I should do next.
Deann Smith (6:36)
I wasn't even thinking about how many colleges were available.
Deann Smith (6:42)
When I called the °®¶¹´«Ã½, an enrollment advisor named Jessica answered the phone.
Deann Smith (6:50)
She saw my vision.
Deann Smith (6:59)
She told me not to worry because the °®¶¹´«Ã½ would take care of me.
Deann Smith (7:07)
From that moment, I knew I had found my home.
Deann Smith (7:09)
My very first foundation course spoke directly to everything I had been through—grit, mindset, perseverance, and believing in yourself.
Deann Smith (7:24)
I realized I wanted to show others who have experienced homelessness, foster care, or group homes that nothing can stop them.
Deann Smith (7:36)
You just have to take that first step.
Chapter 5: Inspiring the Next Generation
Host (7:57)
Your story is incredibly powerful because people can see someone who's actually walked the path they're on.
Host (8:15)
You mentioned your children. What lessons do you hope you've passed on to them?
Deann Smith (8:23)
Prayer.
Deann Smith (8:38)
And simply being a living testimony.
Deann Smith (8:50)
When my children look at my story, I hope they say, "My mother was strong."
Deann Smith (8:57)
I want them to do even better than I did.
Deann Smith (9:05)
If something doesn't happen immediately, that's okay. It simply isn't your time yet.
Deann Smith (9:16)
Keep pushing.
Host (9:16)
Why don't we hear directly from your son?
Le'trey Smith (9:34)
My name is Le'trey Smith. I'm 15 years old.
Le'trey Smith (9:41)
I'm incredibly proud of my mother.
Host (9:50)
Tell me about the example she's set for you.
Le'trey Smith (9:57)
She's shown me how to be a leader, how to be myself, and how to pursue my purpose.
Le'trey Smith (10:12)
I plan on joining either the Army or the Marine Corps after high school.
Host (10:21)
Has your mom's journey been easy?
Le'trey Smith (10:30)
No. There have been a lot of ups and downs, but it has absolutely been worth it.
Host (10:40)
How did you help her through it?
Le'trey Smith (10:47)
Mostly by encouraging her and motivating her to keep going whenever things got difficult.
Host (11:04)
Most people your age would be nervous speaking like this.
Host (11:14)
Do you have any doubts about your future?
Le'trey Smith (11:35)
No.
Le'trey Smith (11:44)
I've known what I wanted for a long time.
Host (11:51)
What does your mom's example inspire you to do?
Le'trey Smith (11:58)
Push beyond my limits.
Le'trey Smith (12:07)
Become better than people think I can be.
Chapter 6: Future Aspirations: Building a Shelter and Continuing Education
Host (12:40)
You've accomplished so much already, but I know you're not finished. What's next?
Deann Smith (12:50)
I'm going to earn my bachelor's degree in business.
Deann Smith (12:59)
I want to understand organizations and how they operate.
Deann Smith (13:10)
Eventually I also want to earn a degree in human services.
Deann Smith (13:16)
My dream is to open a shelter.
Deann Smith (13:22)
I want to help people in my community develop the same grit and mindset that helped me.
Deann Smith (13:30)
Not everyone will have that motivation naturally, but I can help encourage them.
Host (13:36)
It sounds like you've truly found your purpose.
Deann Smith (13:45)
I really have.
Chapter 7: The °®¶¹´«Ã½ Community
Host (13:53)
You mentioned your enrollment advisor by name—Jessica. That was only about 14 months ago.
Host (14:07)
Tell me about your experience with the °®¶¹´«Ã½ community.
Deann Smith (14:14)
The °®¶¹´«Ã½ has been incredibly persistent, supportive, and encouraging.
Deann Smith (14:24)
The instructors constantly reminded me that I could do it.
Deann Smith (14:33)
I love the way they build students up.
Deann Smith (14:43)
I've even seen students become faculty members, and the University continues to support them.
Deann Smith (14:51)
That's one of the things I admire most about the °®¶¹´«Ã½.
Host (14:54)
Sometimes we forget how much impact classmates, faculty, and advisors have on one another.
Host (15:12)
You never know what someone else's story is.
Deann Smith (15:19)
Exactly.
Deann Smith (15:29)
Hearing everyone else's stories inspired me too.
Chapter 8: Encouragement for Others: Taking the Leap of Faith
Host (15:44)
Many people watching this are wondering whether they should go back to school. What would you tell them?
Deann Smith (15:53)
You can do it.
Deann Smith (16:02)
Strive for it.
Deann Smith (16:10)
Don't let anything hold you back.
Deann Smith (16:10)
Take a leap of faith.
Host (16:18)
One last message for your children?
Deann Smith (16:18)
I love you.
Deann Smith (16:26)
Follow your dreams.
Host (16:26)
Thank you for sharing your story so openly.
Host (16:34)
Your journey is going to inspire many people.
Host (16:34)
I'm Stephen Paskel, and thank you for joining us from the 2026 °®¶¹´«Ã½ Commencement.
Terry Setzer
Listen on SpotifyÂ
Terry Setzer graduated from °®¶¹´«Ã½ with a Master of Health Information. He shares how he advanced his healthcare career through education, why credentials are important in healthcare leadership roles and how the program builds leadership skills and industry knowledge.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Terry Setzer (0:00)
Today at graduation, they said something that really stuck with me.
Terry Setzer (0:03)
They said the °®¶¹´«Ã½ was designed for people exactly like the ones you described—people working full time, raising children, even single parents.
Terry Setzer (0:13)
If those are your circumstances, this program was built for you.
Terry Setzer (0:24)
I love that. It was designed for working professionals who are trying to take that next step.
Chapter 2: Terry's Background
Host (0:44)
Hello and welcome to the Degrees of Success podcast. I'm your host, Stephen Paskel, and we're here in Phoenix at the 2026 Commencement.
Host (0:52)
I'm excited to be joined by Terry. Could you introduce yourself?
Terry Setzer (0:52)
Hi, I'm Terry Setzer, a recent Master of Health Administration graduate.
Terry Setzer (1:02)
I currently live in Connecticut, and I'm excited to be here today.
Host (1:10)
You just graduated. Tell us again what degree you earned.
Terry Setzer (1:10)
I earned my Master of Health Administration.
Host (1:17)
Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to the °®¶¹´«Ã½.
Terry Setzer (1:26)
My background is in data analytics.
Terry Setzer (1:32)
I worked at Yale University managing data infrastructure and databases for the School of Medicine.
Terry Setzer (1:45)
Through that experience, I learned healthcare administration from the data side before eventually moving into healthcare administration itself.
Host (1:57)
What ultimately brought you to the °®¶¹´«Ã½?
Terry Setzer (2:04)
I was looking for a master's program that met two important criteria.
Terry Setzer (2:12)
First, it needed to have the accreditation I was looking for.
Terry Setzer (2:17)
Second, I wanted a competency-based program that was similar to my undergraduate experience.
Terry Setzer (2:26)
The °®¶¹´«Ã½ checked both of those boxes, so that's why I chose it.
Chapter 3: Choosing the MHA Program
Host (2:33)
Healthcare is one of those professions where the stakes are incredibly high.
Host (2:41)
You were already working at Yale and found a program that met your criteria. Tell us about your experience earning the degree.
Terry Setzer (3:03)
I believe the program is rigorous.
Terry Setzer (3:07)
It aligned very closely with my day-to-day work in healthcare administration.
Terry Setzer (3:22)
From CPT coding to human resources and operational management, it wasn't just theory—it was practical application.
Host (3:30)
I've heard from other graduates about how challenging the program is. There are even requirements just to be admitted.
Terry Setzer (3:47)
That's right.
Terry Setzer (3:55)
Because it's competency-based, they reviewed my credentials and professional background before accepting me.
Terry Setzer (4:05)
Once I was accepted, I was excited because they told me I could complete the degree in about one year.
Host (4:13)
You already had a successful career. Why pursue more education?
Terry Setzer (4:22)
Every day I work alongside physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Terry Setzer (4:40)
If I'm going to call myself a healthcare administrator, I felt I also needed formal credentials in healthcare administration.
Terry Setzer (4:52)
I already had my bachelor's degree, but earning my MHA was the next logical step.
Terry Setzer (5:00)
One day I was sitting in a leadership meeting where everyone's name had credentials behind it—MD, DO, APP.
Terry Setzer (5:20)
I realized I was the only one without credentials after my name.
Terry Setzer (5:27)
Today I can proudly say, "Terry Setzer, MHA."
Chapter 4: Leading with Empathy
Host (5:34)
Beyond the credential itself, what did you personally gain from the program?
Terry Setzer (6:02)
Personally, I lead with two values: strategy and empathy.
Terry Setzer (6:10)
One of our courses focused specifically on leading with empathy.
Terry Setzer (6:20)
It gave me the theory behind something I was already trying to practice every day.
Terry Setzer (6:28)
When you're leading teams—especially in healthcare—it's essential to lead with empathy.
Host (6:36)
Empathy has become something of a leadership buzzword, but in healthcare it's absolutely essential.
Host (6:58)
No matter who someone is or where they come from, when they're sick they need compassionate leadership.
Chapter 5: Family, Mentors, and Support
Host (7:06)
No one reaches this point alone. Tell us about the people who helped you get here.
Terry Setzer (7:16)
I've had incredible friends supporting me throughout this journey.
Terry Setzer (7:26)
My mother has since passed away, but she always believed that people could take almost anything away from you—except your education.
Terry Setzer (7:31)
That lesson has stayed with me.
Terry Setzer (7:43)
I've also had mentors who taught me how to lead, document my work, and navigate professional environments.
Terry Setzer (8:03)
One of my closest friends is here today.
Terry Setzer (8:08)
When I first told her I wanted to earn this degree, she encouraged me by saying, "A year is going to pass anyway. At the end of that year you'll have accomplished something."
Host (8:19)
Just like your mother said, education is something that can't be taken away.
Terry Setzer (8:19)
Exactly.
Chapter 6: Learning from Faculty and Mentors
Host (8:25)
Mentors are incredibly important, especially those who help open doors.
Host (8:39)
Have you found additional mentors through the °®¶¹´«Ã½?
Terry Setzer (8:57)
Absolutely.
Terry Setzer (9:07)
Many of my professors are still active in healthcare or recently retired from the field.
Terry Setzer (9:19)
Whenever I asked questions about assignments, they would often expand the conversation and share experiences from their own careers.
Terry Setzer (9:27)
Many of them now work as consultants, so I was gaining mentorship even if it wasn't formally called mentoring.
Chapter 7: The °®¶¹´«Ã½ Community
Host (9:35)
What has the °®¶¹´«Ã½ meant to you?
Terry Setzer (9:44)
It's a community.
Terry Setzer (9:53)
There are alumni everywhere across the country.
Terry Setzer (9:58)
As I look toward future career opportunities, I continue to see °®¶¹´«Ã½ alumni throughout healthcare systems on LinkedIn.
Host (10:15)
That's one of the things I appreciate most about the °®¶¹´«Ã½ community.
Host (10:25)
Sometimes we forget just how large and supportive that alumni network really is.
Chapter 8: Looking Ahead
Host (10:37)
What's next for you?
Terry Setzer (10:52)
Well, first, I'm not a doctor yet.
Host (10:56)
You're already speaking it into existence.
Terry Setzer (11:00)
Eventually I'd love to pursue a Doctorate in Health Administration.
Terry Setzer (11:11)
One of my long-term goals is attending Morehouse School of Medicine.
Terry Setzer (11:26)
Right now I'm expanding my horizons and exploring leadership opportunities across the country.
Terry Setzer (11:33)
I'm asking where I can best use my skills, experience, and leadership abilities to serve another team.
Chapter 9: Final Thoughts
Host (11:48)
You've seen firsthand how education opened new opportunities. What would you tell someone who's trying to decide whether they should continue their education?
Terry Setzer (12:02)
Today at graduation, one statement really stood out to me.
Terry Setzer (12:19)
They said the °®¶¹´«Ã½ was built specifically for working adults—for people with jobs, children, and family responsibilities.
Terry Setzer (12:32)
If that's your situation, then this program was designed with you in mind.
Host (12:46)
It's built for working professionals who want to reach the next level, and you're a perfect example of that.
Host (13:00)
Any final words of wisdom?
Terry Setzer (13:07)
I have a saying that I've carried with me for years:
Terry Setzer (13:16)
"Just let me be great."
Terry Setzer (13:25)
Be great in whatever you choose to do.
Terry Setzer (13:32)
And if you allow others to be great too, you'll begin to recognize greatness all around you.
Host (13:37)
Thank you, Terry. Thank you for sharing your journey and for being part of the Degrees of Success podcast.
Host (13:46)
Your story is another example of what °®¶¹´«Ã½ alumni continue to accomplish and the impact they're making every day.
Host (13:55)
I'm Stephen Paskel. Thank you for joining us from the 2026 °®¶¹´«Ã½ Commencement.
About the Degrees of Success® Podcast
The Degrees of Success podcast by °®¶¹´«Ã½ brings you inspiring stories of UOPX alumni who have transformed their careers through education. Each episode highlights personal journeys of overcoming obstacles, achieving professional milestones and using education to unlock new opportunities. Whether you’re looking for motivation, career advice or guidance on how education can propel you forward, these alumni stories offer invaluable insights to help you succeed.
Watch on YouTube.