Graduates of the EdD Class of 2026 at their graduation reception.
EdD graduates look back and into the future
For Nicole Bonnie, Doctor of Education (EdD) in the field of community leadership, Western Education’s EdD graduate reception was a tangible bookend to her remote learning journey.
“For a long time, this didn't feel real because it's virtual and you weren't on the campus, but today closes the loop,” reflected Bonnie. “I'm physically on campus, I'm physically seeing my professors and my colleagues, and it's making it real that I really did do this. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be here.”
The Faculty of Education’s annual EdD reception, hosted by Donna Kotsopoulos, Dean of Education, is the first time that graduates of the virtual program meet in person.
This year, 175 graduates and guests from across Canada, and further destinations including the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Brazil and the Cayman Islands, gathered to celebrate their hard-earned accomplishments.
Bonnie, whose dissertation in practice examined good governance in public sector and not-for-profit organizations, explained how her research will inform her work as principal consultant and CEO at Firma Strategy Group.
“I was able to look at how we can add critical reflexive practice to what governors do, particularly around public sector and not-for-profit organizations, and how we can integrate equity and social justice within their decision-making,” said Bonnie.
“I also explored the history of governance looking at equity principles, and I have created a tool that helps governors to integrate equity and social justice in their decisions.”
Reflecting on the lessons that will stay with her, Bonnie shared that the program enabled her to understand the value of lived experience as a form of research.
“There were so many lessons, but if I had to pick one, I think it’s not to undervalue the fact that our lives are research. We are living, walking, breathing research,” said Bonnie.
“I was able to examine my own life and my own practice and break it into pragmatic, systematic methods of how organizations work, and how I made decisions, and bring that into my research. Research is not always outside of you. The examination of our work, our thoughts and our experiences enrich the research.”
Throughout the evening at Western University’s Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, graduates cheered and hugged their classmates as they strengthened the bonds formed during the program.
Kristen Hunt Edwards, EdD in the field of equity, diversity and social justice, was one of many graduates who shared that expanding her professional network was the most valuable part of the program.
“It's great to see our work culminating today and everyone coming together. It feels like we're all best friends in this together, so it's great to see people in real life,” said Hunt Edwards.
“The relationships I was able to build with other people in the program, and being able to connect with faculty members who are experts in the field, was the best part of it.”
Hunt Edwards, who is the manager of graduate and postdoctoral studies at Western’s Faculty of Engineering, looks forward to applying her research professionally.
“My research was looking at the concept of academic rigor and how that's enacted in engineering education,” explained Hunt Edwards.
“I was researching how that definition of excellence and rigor impacts students that come from equity-deserving backgrounds. I’m hopeful that I can carry the work forward and make a difference.”
Like Bonnie, Hunt-Edwards is also walking away from the program with greater confidence in her own professional knowledge and research.
“When you start to dig into the literature that's existing out there and see that what you've identified as a problem other people have also identified as a problem, it's cool to see that your research is meaningful,” said Hunt Edwards. “You see that your research holds weight and that other people see it as well.”
That impact was lauded by Dean Kotsopoulos, who celebrated the graduates’ hard work, sacrifice and commitment to driving educational scholarship forward in her address.
“Our EdD graduates are a tremendous source of pride for our faculty through their dedication to education and leadership. Many of you juggled full-time careers, parenting duties, and countless other obstacles while committing to a highly involved and highly transformative multi-year journey,” said Kotsopoulos.
“You are all shining examples of what the Faculty of Education has to offer. Through your studies, you are transforming education and transforming lives. I know you will carry forward our faculty’s guiding values of excellence, integrity, equity, belonging, social justice and, most importantly, kindness.”
Congratulations to the EdD Class of 2026! We can’t wait to see all that you will continue to accomplish.
Please visit our Facebook page to see the full album of photos from the reception.
