On Sunday, May 17th, the final “hooding” by Dr. Fritz Cropp, my Dissertation Chair and Associate Dean for Global Programs at the Missouri School of Journalism, completed my doctoral research. I was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Strategic Communications as a result of my original contribution on responsible AI in my dissertation entitled: “Constructing Responsible AI in Public Relations: Perspectives on Ethical Adoption From Generative AI to Agentic Systems. I was joined by family at the ceremony, and there were congratulations from colleagues and friends from near and far.
I admit that it took me quite some time to appreciate the end of this phenomenal experience, but it is only the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Doctoral studies were all I was told they would be. Rigorous? Yes. Demanding? Yes. A test of one’s fortitude and resilience? Yes and Yes! At the same time, I was studying (and continue to) the fast-moving field of AI. I was fortunate to have so many well-wishers not only at the end but throughout the last three years. This included my professors, my public relations colleagues, and my veterinary colleagues, several of whom had taken this journey themselves with various advanced degrees. There was so much support from my family and friends every day. Even those who did not were so unabashedly cheering me on – it all gave me the fuel I needed to finish.
My dissertation committee, comprised of Dr. Fritz Cropp, Dr. Luke Capizzo, Dr. Jared Shroeder, and Dr. Astrid Villamil, shepherded me through comprehensive exams, the dissertation proposal, and finally the dissertation defense. They stuck with this veteran practitioner-turned-scholar. Dr. Earnest Perry, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, was with me every step of the way, offering words of encouragement and giving me confidence when I needed it the most. Lindsey Crozier, Senior Academic Advisor, was there to answer every detailed query. And to Dr. Dean Kruckeberg, APR, Fellow PRSA, my longtime mentor, thank you, thank you.
Now begins the process as a full-fledged practitioner-scholar. I will be a capstone advisor again at the NYU School of Professional Studies, will continue writing and speaking, and will attend several academic and industry conferences. And, Germinder & Associates remains fully open for business with some exciting news to come. I am grateful for the doctoral experience and so welcome this next chapter.
