Explore a transformative, future-ready model for integrated education designed to enhance student persistence, research readiness, and degree completion. This scalable and inclusive framework reimagines the education journey through intentional course design, early support, and collaborative faculty mentorship. With completion rates lagging and diverse student populations requiring tailored support, institutions must evolve. The model responds with a unified series of research-focused courses shared across the Colleges of Business, Education, and Technology, paired with a robust faculty-led Professional Learning Community (PLC) that ensures ongoing curricular alignment and continuous improvement. Examine how coursework, early research socialization, and stronger faculty-student engagement contribute to improved outcomes. The model has led to measurable gains in retention and student confidence while fostering a cross-disciplinary research culture. Blending technology and AI with the heart of human connection, it fosters leadership that combines intelligence and compassion with curiosity and collaborative inquiry. This session is ideal for anyone seeking to build sustainable, student-centered systems. Participants will leave with actionable resources, including a research milestone map, PLC discussion guide, and faculty development calendar. Attendees are invited to join a virtual PLC to extend collaboration beyond the conference. Together, we can shape a doctoral experience that is not only rigorous and equitable but also empowering and responsive to the needs of tomorrow’s scholars.

Authors:
Jodi Consten, Westcliff University, United States
Ying Iverson, Westcliff University, United States
Laura Sliwinski, Westcliff University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Consten is the Dean for the College of Education at Westcliff University in California. Her expertise encompasses leadership principles, professional learning communities, and the integration technological fluency with relational intelligence.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-consten-54ba4a32b/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jodi-Consten

Dr. Ying Iverson is the Chief Academic Officer and VP of Academic Affairs at Westcliff University. She oversees five colleges and three departments, leading academic strategy and innovation to improve faculty experience and student success.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ying-iverson-ph-d-66bb742b/

Dr. Laura Sliwinski is the Senior Director of Doctoral Affairs and Academic Resources at Westcliff University. Laura is committed to developing practical strategies to enhance student retention and success.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurasliwinski/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Laura-Sliwinski

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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