Dr. Alvin L. Ward, II
Journey to the Doctoral Degree
What Society Had Planned For Me Was Not For Me?
As a millennial African-American male growing up in Mississippi, I knew that society had already attempted to create a life for me and had already planned out a future for me that I knew nothing about. I knew it was a life that I truly was not interested in living. I knew it was one that would lead me to become another statistic that would fall in the trap of the severely flawed justice system, poverty, and become a distinct example of what the "typical black male" was unfortunately supposed to look like. I refused to become what others had expected of me, predicted, and unfortunately, wanted to happen to me. It is one of those things where I was forced to utilize those negative pre-created narratives as fuel to my fire, as a catalyst, and as a vehicle of motivation for me to become the opposite of what society had expected.
I was raised as an only child, and I come from a very close-knit family that is filled with love and constant reminders that love is inside of each of my family members. Both of my parents are well educated and went to renowned HBCUs in this state of Mississippi. My maternal grandparents were very intelligent, but due to the time in which they were growing up, they were not afforded the opportunity to attend college. Nevertheless, along with my parents, they ensured that the importance of acquiring an education was instilled in me at a very young age. I knew that even though society wanted me to fail, my family would not allow that. They assured me that I was in full control of my educational success and that I was the only person who could potentially become an obstacle in my journey to becoming well educated. This stuck with me and I never forgot that, and I drill this in my students' heads today.
Big School
I remember being in elementary school, and my grandfather had taken me to the library. I was never one of those kids who wanted to read books that were for children. I wanted to read books that were literally beyond my thinking, and beyond what my 8-year-old brain could handle. I could read the words, but I had no way of comprehending what exactly they meant. On the cover of the book I selected, I saw the letters "Ph.D." at the end of the author's name. I asked my grandfather what exactly those three letters meant. He told me that it meant the author had gone to college, "big school," as my grandfather so eloquently put it, and had earned the highest education possible. My eyes lit up in excitement, and I told him that I wanted to have those same letters behind my name. He stared at me for a second, and he smiled. He simply said, "you will." That day was the day in which I made becoming "Dr. Ward" an aspiration. He made me research the different types of Ph. Ds that existed. Although I was only 8, and really didn't understand what I was reading, I knew it was very important and extremely hard to obtain if not willing to do some hard work.
I Was Angry And Upset...But Promises Had Been Made
My grandfather passed away in 2001, my father in 2004, and my grandmother in 2005. I was a freshman in high school when my grandmother died, and I had never felt so alone, depressed, unmotivated, and ostracized in my life. It was literally just my mother and me, and we both were heartbroken and trying to find a way out of the pain that no medicine could heal. In my junior year of high school, I failed over 5 classes and was barely on track to graduate on time with my high school class. I was angry and upset, coming to school with an attitude, wanting to fight everyone who upset me. I was literally detoured back to the path that society had been wanting me to travel in the beginning. I'll never forget my mother placing me in front of the mirror in our bathroom at home and making me recite poems that had positive stanzas in order to encourage me to get back on the right track. I instantly thought of the promise I had made to my grandfather, and I knew my deceased family members would not want me to allow their deaths to hinder me from being successful. It's almost like I snapped out of it instantly.
In 2008 I was a senior. I had been approved to graduate with my class, and I was overjoyed because I remembered that my current circumstances were beyond different from my circumstances during the previous school year. I graduated and walked across that stage with not one honor cord around my neck. I didn't care, because I knew how far I'd come. I knew how far God had brought me. I prayed for this second chance. I told God that I would reach my full potential in college if he allowed me to graduate on time with my high school class. My prayers were answered, and my new journey began.
My New Journey Awaited
I entered Coahoma Community College, the only HBCU community college in the state of Mississippi, in Fall 2008 as a Computer Information Systems major. I was excited and eager to excel. By the time 2010 arrived, it was time to graduate, and I had accomplished so much during those two years. I graduated #8 out of my class, had been inducted into the most prestigious honor society for community colleges, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. I thrived on this new path!
I was honored as a Presidential Scholar and a Dean's list scholar, elected president of the Sophomore Class, Yearbook Editor, President of Enactus, Inc. (formerly known as S.I.F.E.), most pictured in the yearbook, featured in the college's 60th anniversary documentary, received an academic scholarship from the Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, selected for Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, and held office positions in an array of campus organizations. I was excited, but I knew it was still only the beginning. I knew I was no longer on the wrong track, but on the right track towards reaching my ultimate educational goal.
In Fall 2010, because of my membership in Phi Theta Kappa, I entered Delta State University as a junior Computer Information Systems major on a full scholarship. I achieved having the highest GPA as a junior Computer Information Systems major, appointed to the Student Government Association Executive Cabinet, chosen for a second time for Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, served as the Vice-President and President of the Career Services Ambassadors, served on the Dean's Advisory Council, and I also held positions on the Quality Enhancement Plan Committee and various student-centered campus organizations. I graduated in 2012 with my Bachelor of Business Administration, and immediately following, the next year, in 2013, I earned my Master of Business Administration, both from Delta State University. I knew I was ahead of the game because I had literally earned 3 degrees in only 6 years.
Focus is Essential
Immediately after graduating with my master's degree in December 2013, the next month, January 2014, I enrolled at Northcentral University where I was accepted into the Doctor of Philosophy in Education program, where my specialization was Organizational Leadership. I was beyond elated because I knew my grandfather's smile and energy was descending from the heavens above. I was prepared to go through this journey, and I knew that it would not be easy, and would definitely come with many sleepless nights and days where I would be so tired that I would literally have to run off fumes. However, I knew it would be well worth the struggle. My mother used to always say, "Focus is essential." I knew I had to be well focused and attentive in order to earn this Ph.D. At this time, I was 24 years old, a first-year Ph.D. student, and I had gotten a job as the City Clerk/Director of Accounting for a small municipality located in the Mississippi Delta. I was working and going to school which definitely came with a challenge. I was unable to entertain my personal life as much as I had wanted, but I was determined, and my support system that consisted of both my family and friends, knew that I was on a mission, and they understood and respected my absence.
How Research Opened My Eyes
By 2016, I had completed all of my coursework, and I was recognized by a colleague because I had reached ABD (All But Dissertation) status. I had a 4.0 GPA and was chosen to be inducted into Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society. I had been thinking about what I wanted my dissertation topic to be. I knew I wanted it to stand out, but I also knew that I wanted to be able to help someone with my research and make a much-needed difference and contribution to the field of education. I had been hired as the Coordinator for Instructional Technology at Mississippi Valley State University, where I was responsible for ensuring that all faculty were properly trained to utilize the online learning management system. While training those faculty, I met a professor who was the chair of the Teacher Education department, and she encouraged me to search for a problem that needed to be solved at colleges in the state of Mississippi. Her motivation and faith in me led to my dissertation topic: "Exploring Conflict Management: A Qualitative Study on the Lack of Compromise and Collaboration in Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Mississippi."
After doing quite a bit of reading and conversing with higher education leaders across the state of Mississippi, I chose this specific topic because I noticed that there were many different administrators and even C-suite leaders whose departments were losing leaders and regular employees due to the lack of compromise and collaboration when mitigating conflict in their departments. This study truly opened my eyes to things that occur behind closed doors at colleges and universities, and how it truly can affect the success of the department as well as the institution itself. I vividly remember the conversation I had with my dissertation chair when I initially presented her my topic. She was literally in awe. She told me that she knew my research would be a great contribution to organizational leadership, the field of education, and to the ProQuest Database.
Given, I was extremely excited and passionate about my dissertation topic, it did not take long for me to get my IRB (Institutional Review Board) application approved by the university's IRB Committee. My application was sent back once for revisions and was immediately approved after the revisions were made. I was eager to conduct my research because I truly wanted to know how did HBCU administrators perceive the lack of compromise and collaboration in their departments, and how did they feel it affected their institution. I conducted my study at two different colleges in the state of Mississippi. I utilized interviews as my method of data collection, and the results I received from the HBCU leaders that I interviewed were thorough and tactful. I knew that these results would help partially solve the research problem, and I knew that the study had the possibility to be duplicated by another researcher in the future. I found that many HBCU leaders felt that the lack of compromise and collaboration in their departments were the primary reason for the department and the institution's downfall. This meant that my assumptions were correct and that this was truly a problem.
They Called Me Dr. Alvin Ward
Each chapter of my dissertation was approved upon the first submission. I was rarely ever asked to make large revisions. The revisions I had to make were only to ensure that the dissertation meshed and flowed well together from chapter to chapter. I was thankful for such a helpful dissertation chair because she truly guided me and wanted to see me win. On November 9, 2017, at the age of 27, I successfully defended my dissertation in front of my dissertation chair, subject matter expert, academic reader, my mother, and several friends and family members. My dissertation was approved, and it was finally over. My hard work had been well worth it, and I was called Dr. Alvin L. Ward, II, officially for the first time. I couldn't believe it. The path that society initially wanted me to travel no longer existed, and was no longer a fear, because I had defied all odds. All of the negative teachers in high school who told me that I would never amount to anything, my high school peers who used to look at me as if I were nothing, the community members who expected me to do everything except earning a Ph.D., meant nothing at this point. The promise I had made to my grandfather was kept. The aspiration that was once only thought was now my reality. The feeling was honestly unreal. It was almost as if I were in the twilight zone, but only for a few minutes. I made it. I had earned a Ph.D., a terminal degree, a doctorate, before turning 30 years old. The only thing I could do was drop to my knees, and cry to God, and thank him for bringing me to this point.
Without Test There Is No Testimony
I am thankful for everything that I went through, and I am thankful for every negative comment that was made towards me because it all was utilized as a motivation to reach my goals and fulfill my dreams. I am thankful for the obstacles because it allowed me to appreciate my struggle once I reached the other side. I learned that without a test, there is no testimony. I learned that many times your struggle is not only to make you better but to be used as a picture of what victory looks like, which will one day end up motivating someone who desires to accomplish the exact same goal that you have achieved. The moral of my story is, it is not how you start, but more about how you finish. It is up to you to reach the apex of your life, and it is up to you to turn your hardships into victories.
Bio
Dr. Alvin L. Ward, II, is a 29 year old native of Cleveland, MS. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a specialization in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University, a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration, both from Delta State University, and an Associate of Arts from Coahoma Community College. Dr. Ward is currently employed with Mississippi Valley State University, where he serves as an Adjunct Professor of Organizational Management. Dr. Ward is passionate about educational and economic development, and public service.
LinkedIn: Alvin L. Ward, PhD
As a millennial African-American male growing up in Mississippi, I knew that society had already attempted to create a life for me and had already planned out a future for me that I knew nothing about. I knew it was a life that I truly was not interested in living. I knew it was one that would lead me to become another statistic that would fall in the trap of the severely flawed justice system, poverty, and become a distinct example of what the "typical black male" was unfortunately supposed to look like. I refused to become what others had expected of me, predicted, and unfortunately, wanted to happen to me. It is one of those things where I was forced to utilize those negative pre-created narratives as fuel to my fire, as a catalyst, and as a vehicle of motivation for me to become the opposite of what society had expected.
I was raised as an only child, and I come from a very close-knit family that is filled with love and constant reminders that love is inside of each of my family members. Both of my parents are well educated and went to renowned HBCUs in this state of Mississippi. My maternal grandparents were very intelligent, but due to the time in which they were growing up, they were not afforded the opportunity to attend college. Nevertheless, along with my parents, they ensured that the importance of acquiring an education was instilled in me at a very young age. I knew that even though society wanted me to fail, my family would not allow that. They assured me that I was in full control of my educational success and that I was the only person who could potentially become an obstacle in my journey to becoming well educated. This stuck with me and I never forgot that, and I drill this in my students' heads today.
Big School
I remember being in elementary school, and my grandfather had taken me to the library. I was never one of those kids who wanted to read books that were for children. I wanted to read books that were literally beyond my thinking, and beyond what my 8-year-old brain could handle. I could read the words, but I had no way of comprehending what exactly they meant. On the cover of the book I selected, I saw the letters "Ph.D." at the end of the author's name. I asked my grandfather what exactly those three letters meant. He told me that it meant the author had gone to college, "big school," as my grandfather so eloquently put it, and had earned the highest education possible. My eyes lit up in excitement, and I told him that I wanted to have those same letters behind my name. He stared at me for a second, and he smiled. He simply said, "you will." That day was the day in which I made becoming "Dr. Ward" an aspiration. He made me research the different types of Ph. Ds that existed. Although I was only 8, and really didn't understand what I was reading, I knew it was very important and extremely hard to obtain if not willing to do some hard work.
I Was Angry And Upset...But Promises Had Been Made
My grandfather passed away in 2001, my father in 2004, and my grandmother in 2005. I was a freshman in high school when my grandmother died, and I had never felt so alone, depressed, unmotivated, and ostracized in my life. It was literally just my mother and me, and we both were heartbroken and trying to find a way out of the pain that no medicine could heal. In my junior year of high school, I failed over 5 classes and was barely on track to graduate on time with my high school class. I was angry and upset, coming to school with an attitude, wanting to fight everyone who upset me. I was literally detoured back to the path that society had been wanting me to travel in the beginning. I'll never forget my mother placing me in front of the mirror in our bathroom at home and making me recite poems that had positive stanzas in order to encourage me to get back on the right track. I instantly thought of the promise I had made to my grandfather, and I knew my deceased family members would not want me to allow their deaths to hinder me from being successful. It's almost like I snapped out of it instantly.
In 2008 I was a senior. I had been approved to graduate with my class, and I was overjoyed because I remembered that my current circumstances were beyond different from my circumstances during the previous school year. I graduated and walked across that stage with not one honor cord around my neck. I didn't care, because I knew how far I'd come. I knew how far God had brought me. I prayed for this second chance. I told God that I would reach my full potential in college if he allowed me to graduate on time with my high school class. My prayers were answered, and my new journey began.
My New Journey Awaited
I entered Coahoma Community College, the only HBCU community college in the state of Mississippi, in Fall 2008 as a Computer Information Systems major. I was excited and eager to excel. By the time 2010 arrived, it was time to graduate, and I had accomplished so much during those two years. I graduated #8 out of my class, had been inducted into the most prestigious honor society for community colleges, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. I thrived on this new path!
I was honored as a Presidential Scholar and a Dean's list scholar, elected president of the Sophomore Class, Yearbook Editor, President of Enactus, Inc. (formerly known as S.I.F.E.), most pictured in the yearbook, featured in the college's 60th anniversary documentary, received an academic scholarship from the Clarksdale-Marks Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, selected for Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, and held office positions in an array of campus organizations. I was excited, but I knew it was still only the beginning. I knew I was no longer on the wrong track, but on the right track towards reaching my ultimate educational goal.
In Fall 2010, because of my membership in Phi Theta Kappa, I entered Delta State University as a junior Computer Information Systems major on a full scholarship. I achieved having the highest GPA as a junior Computer Information Systems major, appointed to the Student Government Association Executive Cabinet, chosen for a second time for Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, served as the Vice-President and President of the Career Services Ambassadors, served on the Dean's Advisory Council, and I also held positions on the Quality Enhancement Plan Committee and various student-centered campus organizations. I graduated in 2012 with my Bachelor of Business Administration, and immediately following, the next year, in 2013, I earned my Master of Business Administration, both from Delta State University. I knew I was ahead of the game because I had literally earned 3 degrees in only 6 years.
Focus is Essential
Immediately after graduating with my master's degree in December 2013, the next month, January 2014, I enrolled at Northcentral University where I was accepted into the Doctor of Philosophy in Education program, where my specialization was Organizational Leadership. I was beyond elated because I knew my grandfather's smile and energy was descending from the heavens above. I was prepared to go through this journey, and I knew that it would not be easy, and would definitely come with many sleepless nights and days where I would be so tired that I would literally have to run off fumes. However, I knew it would be well worth the struggle. My mother used to always say, "Focus is essential." I knew I had to be well focused and attentive in order to earn this Ph.D. At this time, I was 24 years old, a first-year Ph.D. student, and I had gotten a job as the City Clerk/Director of Accounting for a small municipality located in the Mississippi Delta. I was working and going to school which definitely came with a challenge. I was unable to entertain my personal life as much as I had wanted, but I was determined, and my support system that consisted of both my family and friends, knew that I was on a mission, and they understood and respected my absence.
How Research Opened My Eyes
By 2016, I had completed all of my coursework, and I was recognized by a colleague because I had reached ABD (All But Dissertation) status. I had a 4.0 GPA and was chosen to be inducted into Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society. I had been thinking about what I wanted my dissertation topic to be. I knew I wanted it to stand out, but I also knew that I wanted to be able to help someone with my research and make a much-needed difference and contribution to the field of education. I had been hired as the Coordinator for Instructional Technology at Mississippi Valley State University, where I was responsible for ensuring that all faculty were properly trained to utilize the online learning management system. While training those faculty, I met a professor who was the chair of the Teacher Education department, and she encouraged me to search for a problem that needed to be solved at colleges in the state of Mississippi. Her motivation and faith in me led to my dissertation topic: "Exploring Conflict Management: A Qualitative Study on the Lack of Compromise and Collaboration in Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Mississippi."
After doing quite a bit of reading and conversing with higher education leaders across the state of Mississippi, I chose this specific topic because I noticed that there were many different administrators and even C-suite leaders whose departments were losing leaders and regular employees due to the lack of compromise and collaboration when mitigating conflict in their departments. This study truly opened my eyes to things that occur behind closed doors at colleges and universities, and how it truly can affect the success of the department as well as the institution itself. I vividly remember the conversation I had with my dissertation chair when I initially presented her my topic. She was literally in awe. She told me that she knew my research would be a great contribution to organizational leadership, the field of education, and to the ProQuest Database.
Given, I was extremely excited and passionate about my dissertation topic, it did not take long for me to get my IRB (Institutional Review Board) application approved by the university's IRB Committee. My application was sent back once for revisions and was immediately approved after the revisions were made. I was eager to conduct my research because I truly wanted to know how did HBCU administrators perceive the lack of compromise and collaboration in their departments, and how did they feel it affected their institution. I conducted my study at two different colleges in the state of Mississippi. I utilized interviews as my method of data collection, and the results I received from the HBCU leaders that I interviewed were thorough and tactful. I knew that these results would help partially solve the research problem, and I knew that the study had the possibility to be duplicated by another researcher in the future. I found that many HBCU leaders felt that the lack of compromise and collaboration in their departments were the primary reason for the department and the institution's downfall. This meant that my assumptions were correct and that this was truly a problem.
They Called Me Dr. Alvin Ward
Each chapter of my dissertation was approved upon the first submission. I was rarely ever asked to make large revisions. The revisions I had to make were only to ensure that the dissertation meshed and flowed well together from chapter to chapter. I was thankful for such a helpful dissertation chair because she truly guided me and wanted to see me win. On November 9, 2017, at the age of 27, I successfully defended my dissertation in front of my dissertation chair, subject matter expert, academic reader, my mother, and several friends and family members. My dissertation was approved, and it was finally over. My hard work had been well worth it, and I was called Dr. Alvin L. Ward, II, officially for the first time. I couldn't believe it. The path that society initially wanted me to travel no longer existed, and was no longer a fear, because I had defied all odds. All of the negative teachers in high school who told me that I would never amount to anything, my high school peers who used to look at me as if I were nothing, the community members who expected me to do everything except earning a Ph.D., meant nothing at this point. The promise I had made to my grandfather was kept. The aspiration that was once only thought was now my reality. The feeling was honestly unreal. It was almost as if I were in the twilight zone, but only for a few minutes. I made it. I had earned a Ph.D., a terminal degree, a doctorate, before turning 30 years old. The only thing I could do was drop to my knees, and cry to God, and thank him for bringing me to this point.
Without Test There Is No Testimony
I am thankful for everything that I went through, and I am thankful for every negative comment that was made towards me because it all was utilized as a motivation to reach my goals and fulfill my dreams. I am thankful for the obstacles because it allowed me to appreciate my struggle once I reached the other side. I learned that without a test, there is no testimony. I learned that many times your struggle is not only to make you better but to be used as a picture of what victory looks like, which will one day end up motivating someone who desires to accomplish the exact same goal that you have achieved. The moral of my story is, it is not how you start, but more about how you finish. It is up to you to reach the apex of your life, and it is up to you to turn your hardships into victories.
Bio
Dr. Alvin L. Ward, II, is a 29 year old native of Cleveland, MS. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a specialization in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University, a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration, both from Delta State University, and an Associate of Arts from Coahoma Community College. Dr. Ward is currently employed with Mississippi Valley State University, where he serves as an Adjunct Professor of Organizational Management. Dr. Ward is passionate about educational and economic development, and public service.
LinkedIn: Alvin L. Ward, PhD
