# 2023 Research Summit Summary

November 01, 2023 • 5 minutes
## Theme: Thrive in a Brave New World

The theme of this year's 2023 conference was "Thrive in a Brave New World," which provided attendees a chance to hear about a wide array of research presenter's explorations into topical matter that broadens the expanse of research.

Below you will find a recap of the 2023 conference stats concerning this year's summit, including videos from main-stage events, and a downloadable PDF from our Keynote speaker, Dr. Cheryl Lentz.

## Highlights

- 10th annual conference
- 523 registrants
- 14 countries represented
- 38% are students
- 21% are faculty
- 16% are alumni  

On behalf of all of us in the College of Doctoral Studies and the leaders of the Research Centers, we thank you for a wonderful event and already look forward to next year's conference!

## 2023 Summit Stats

This year's summit was well attended. We had**523 registrants**, which makes this, our 10th annual conference, the second consecutively largest one we have held for two years in a row!

Our Summit Eventbrite page alone received over 2100 page views.

### Registrants who attended represented these 14 countries:

- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Algeria
- United Arab Emirates
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Philippines
- Peru
- Nigeria
- Mexico
- Japan
- Jamaica
- Ghana

Additionally, 61 states or provinces were represented amongst registrant attendees.

### How guests identified themselves:

- 38% of attendees were_students (92% identifying as doctoral students, with the remaining 8% as Bachelor/Masters level students)_  

- _Most students were from business, education, and healthcare disciplines_
- 21% were_faculty_
- 16% of attendees were_alumni_
- 13% were_presenters_
- 11% were_staff_
- 2.4% were_external visitors_

### Professions represented:

- Executive Director
- President
- Chief Technology Officer
- Chief Officer
- Financial Industry Leader
- Director
- Educator
- Professor
- Secondary school professional
- Middle School Professional
- Principal

-  IT Analyst
- Vice President
- Healthcare professional
- Life Coach
- Sales
- Law Enforcement
- Cybersecurity
- Behavioral Health
- Military
- Human Resources
- Religious Leadership  

Many of our attendees work for some major  industry players like: Bank of America, Amazon, DeSales University, Mayo Clinic, Google, US Army, JPMorgan Chase, Kings County Hospital, Chicago Public Schools, Walmart, Purdue University Global, Walden University, Capella University, Grand Canyon University, Rowan College of South Jersey, Blue Cross, Methodist Texsan Hospital, US Air Force/Gov, American Heart Association, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Optum, US Department of Homeland Security, California Dept of Human Resources, Clarke University, St. Vincent Medical, Baptist Memorial Hospital, and DeSales University.

 

## Zoom login summary

Overall, the Zoom report shows a total of 2,376 various [participant log in] events. This is an amazing level of activity over 3 days!

- Day 1: 1,174 participants active over 428 minutes
- Day 2: 779 participants over 423 minutes
- Day 3: 339 participants over 249 minutes.

Some of the variation recorded here may be from those logging in and out of the day at various times, as well as those who may not have registered but were invited by guests as well.

**Day 1 Keynote-Dr. Cheryl Lentz**

Author and TEDx speaker Dr. Cheryl Lentz provided guests with an outstanding presentation that covered facets of what she calls "The Einstein Perspective" discussing how researchers must learn to engage the deeper introspective side of_self_and_research_. Topics covered inside the keynote address included Gesellschaft, refractive thinking, building a career with research, the path forward, choice, failure has no alibi, the 3 pillars of publishing, and legacy thinking.

Dr. Lentz also graciously bestowed to guests in attendance a copy of her book which can be dowloaded below. You can also view Dr. Lentz' keynote address here.

[Download ebook: "Failure Has No Alibi" by Cheryl Lentz](/content/dam/edu/research/doc/failure-has-no-alibi-cheryl-lentz.pdf)
## Knowledge without boundaries Research Summit Day 1 video

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**Day 1 Mainstage events**

Day 1 was the opening of the Summit and included a presentation by Dr. Hinrich Eylers who did a retrospective look at all the conferences from their inception to now, alongside some stats on the centers themselves and the evolution of the research arm of the university. The audience also heard from Dr. Cheryl Lentz, author, and TEDx speaker, in what was a riveting and motivating keynote address that truly set the tone of the first day. As well, the following were some great presentations that brought in some dynamic subject matter. There were 24 presenters on Day 1.

## Knowledge without boundaries Research Summit Day 1 video

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### Day 1 presentations

Kimberly Underwood: Building Social Capital as a University Imperative

Sandra Sessons-Penny, Joy Taylor, Marlene Blake:_How Employees of Color Experience a Sense of Belonging Within the Work Environment_

Marlene Blake, Jessica Flores, Patricia Battson:_How Higher Education Leaders Can Help Students of Color Thrive by Building Belonging_

Thureiyya Rodriguez and Sharam Moslehi Seisan:_Great Resignation of COVID-19: The Entrepreneur's View on the Challenges and Benefits of Transitioning from Employee to Entrepreneur During a Pandemic_

Karen Martin, Les Huffman, and Donald Munday:_Women’s Advancement Lived Experiences in the Consumer-Packaged Goods Industry: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study_

Jason Stroman and Crystal Lupo:_The Relationship Between Work Stress and Job Satisfaction: Organizational Stress Prevention Programs as as a Moderator_

Kristy Tyson:_Equitable Design of Virtual Leadership Development Programs for Remote Employees: Unveiling Insights from a Quantitative eDelphi Study_

Ken Murphy:_Case Study of the Challenges of Creativity and Innovation in Virtual Organizations_

Janice Cardwell and Renee Green:_Thriving in a World that Needs Bionic Energy: Reflections on Self-Care for the Speed of Life_

Maureen Marzano, Juana Lang, Joshua Valk:_The Condition of Education: Teacher Absenteeism in the Aftermath of COVID-19_

Courtney Campbell and Iris Campbell:_Preschool Teachers’ Perceptions of Early Learning Science Standards and Implementation: A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study_

Jaynelle Nixon:_Increasing Student Engagement and Enjoyment through the Oppositional Gaze_

Kyla Tennin:_The Access to Smart Finance - Female Entrepreneurship Survey: A White Paper to Shape the Future of Female Entrepreneurship_

Rheanna Reed,  Jennifer Carriere, and Laura Pipoly: Burnout, Cynicism, and Performance:_A Correlational Examination of Adjunct Online Instructors at a Private Higher Education Institution_

Nadine Spence-Clarke and Charles Elliott:_Patient/Family Engagement in Advisory Councils, Quality Improvement, or Safety Committees: A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study_

Joy Taylor and Sandra-Sessoms Penny :_Examining the Value and Utilization of Earning a Bachelor’s Degree Among Women of Color_

Ashita Parmar:_Understanding Online Community College Students’ Underachievement Reasons: An Exploratory Case Study_

Brian Stern:_Identifying Online Student Support Approaches_

Aaron Kenneston, Arnetra Arrington, and Susan Fereee:_Exploring Educational Implications and Strategies of Using ChatGPT in Courses at an Online Higher Education Institution_

LauraAnn Migliore:_Application of Machine Learning and Generative AI to Create Systematic Literature Reviews Using a Technical Action Research Approach_

Octavia Quarles:_Thrive in a Brave New World: The Role of AI and Possible Channels of Impact and Growth_

Joanne Vázquez de Príncipe:_Third Culture People Evolving Management and Leadership Post-Pandemic: An Applied Multicultural Industrial and Organizational Psychology Perspective_

Alisa Fleming:_Examining Leadership Styles as Predictors of Workplace Bullying_

Ela-Joy Lehrman, Martha Zepeda, and Tiffany Lemmen:_Women in Leadership in Higher Education: A Systematic Review_

**Day 2 Mainstage events**

Day 2 was yet another fantastic day as our own University of Phoenix President, Chris Lynne, alongside our moderator Dr. Kimberly Underwood, introduced Day 2 and the first-ever DEIB Recognition awards. President Lynne announced the 2023 winners of the President's Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging that morning and it was exciting to see the various recognitions and see the honorees accept their awards. The first awards went to Drs. Sessoms-Penny and Joy Taylor, Julie Ballaro, Levon Russell and Kevin Meade, and LeQwan McDowell. Day 2 saw again some great research presentations in sessions 9-11.

## Knowledge without boundaries Research Summit Day 2 video

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### Day 2 presentations listed

Rodney Luster:_The Implications of a Protein Named Fosb in Addictive Behavior and How to Challenge It_

Madrid Francois :_Mitigating the Waste Management Problem In Haiti from an Entrepreneurial Standpoint_

Iris Campbell and Courtney Campbell:_Curriculum-Based Professional Development for Third Through Fifth-Grade Teachers: A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study_

Zenovia Braham:_African American Male High School Student Persistence: An Exploratory Case Study_

Scott McCalla, Lisa Langford, and Alfreda Goods:_Considering Belonging: Making a Case for Allyship_

Paula Johnson:_Improving Cultural Competency for Educational Best Practices_

Erik Bean:_The Seven Sources of All Impartiality_

Sonja Lamppa, Yvette Ghormley, and Yuvonne Richmond:_A Review of Higher Education Institutional Policies and Practices in Response to the Use of ChatGPT_

Suchitra Veera, Samantha Bietsch, and Susan Jones:_Linkages Between Corporate Sustainability Practices and Corporate Financial Performance: A Systematic Review_

Joy Taylor and Sandra Sessoms-Penny:_Helping Teachers of Color Feel Included: What Can K-12 Leaders Do?_

Rodney Luster:_The Rise of the Stress Arc: Managing (ROC) Rapid Onset of Change in Business Through Efficacious Strategy_

Danielle Kearns-Sixsmith:_University Supervisors of Student Teachers: A Scoping Review_

Joanne Vázquez de Príncipe:_Work-Life Dynamics Evolving Strategic Holistic Ecosystems Post-Pandemic: An Applied Organizational Development Perspective_

Donna Taliaferro:_Holistic Leadership_

Carmen Vega-Stevens and Charles Elliott:_The Relationship Between Employee Engagement and Perceived Mindful Leadership: A Quantitative Correlational Study_

Christa Banton and Tiefa Jones:_Examining the Retention and Exodus of Women in Technology _

Danielle Kearns-Sixsmith, Nicole Baker, and Jesse Fidelio Garza:_Identifying Effective Elementary Teacher Preparation for Integrating STEM_

Louise Underdahl, Myrene Magabo, and Maureen Marzano:_Solving Employers’ Dilemma Through Academe-STEM Industry Partnerships_

Patricia Finch Guthrie and Jamie Buchanan:_Student and Faculty Perspectives on Barriers, Challenges, Facilitators, Strategies, Determinants, and Connections for Progression and Completion of the DNP Degree_

Pamayla Darbyshire and Mar Navarro:_Thriving in a Brave New World: IoT (Internet of Things) and Adult Online Learning_

Linnea Axman:_Implementation of a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Practice Guideline in a Free Clinic Setting_

**Day 3 Mainstage events**

Day 3 provided another exceptional conference day led by Dr. Mansureh Kebritchi who kicked off the main-stage events and moderated alongside Dr. Eylers for the 2023_Dissertation of the Year Awards_.

### Dissertation of the Year Winners

This year's awards were exciting, with some great dissertations recognized. Awards were presented to Daniel Collins, Elif Kalemdaroglu-Wheeler], and Eric Johansen.

We also were able to hear from each of these recipients about their dissertation in a formal summary that was insightful and riveting. You can learn more about them[here](https://www.phoenix.edu/research/events/dissertation-of-the-year-award-winners.html). Day 3 followed with sessions 16-19 and again, some awesome presentations this year.

## Knowledge without boundaries Research Summit Day 3 video

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### Day 3 presentations

Juana Lang, Karen Johnson, and Lucinda Hines:_Teachers' Experiences with Physical or Verbal Aggression After the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic_

Robert Rencher:_Successful Digital Transformation Leadership Constructs in Commercial Aviation_

Nicole Masters and Karen Johnson:_Educators’ Perceptions of Social Media as a Professional Development Tool: An Exploratory Case Study_

José Vargas-Hernández and Omar Vargas-González:_Institutionalized Organizational Internal, Environmental, and Interacting Variables and Perspectives_

Jaime Davis:_Workplace Spirituality for Online Educators: Inherent or Cultivated?_

Paul White:_Effective Leadership_

Renata Walton:_Exploring Reverse Mentoring to Prepare Millennials for Leadership within Janssen Scientific Affairs_

Shahir Mohammed:_The Effects of Employee Motivation on Employee Engagement: An Exploratory Grounded Theory Study_

Pam England and Joann Kovacich:_Organizational Communication Through the Lens of Support Staff at Post-Secondary Institutions: Phenomenological Study_

Louise Underdahl:_Beyond Optimism: Roadmaps for Career Progression_

Roxanne Williams and Josh Valk:_How Can I Speed Up My Doctoral Journey?_

MacDonald Chaava and Pamayla E. Darbyshire :_A Literature Review on the Effectiveness of Case Management Approaches for Addressing the Needs of Chronically Mentally Ill Homeless Individuals_

### Comments:

_"I would like to thank you all for organizing this event and praise your leadership in this immense task. Thank you all for leading the way and embracing all of us: new and experienced researchers. The diversity of knowledge of the event was humbling.  I have learned so much, and some of these studies have sparked new inquiries that are worth exploring in future research"_

_"What an experience as a moderator! There is no doubt in my heart that Academia is the place to be!"_

_"Fantastic conference!"_

_"Excited to everyone and more next year!!"_

From all of us at the College of Doctoral Studies and the Centers for Research,**Thank you**to our moderators, our presenters, and guests.

WE WILL SEE YOU AT NEXT YEAR'S EVENT!