Earning a Doctor of Education is a significant milestone. For Dr. Jennifer Cloughly, becoming the first in her family to earn a doctoral degree marks the beginning of a larger mission to help young adult learners thrive. In this Q&A, she reflects on overcoming the challenges of dissertation work, the value of mentorship, and how perseverance can help prepare future leaders to create meaningful change in education.
1. What does earning your Doctor of Education degree mean to you and your family?
Dr. Cloughly: My family has always been deeply committed to education, so being the first person in the family to earn a doctoral degree is especially meaningful. Reaching this milestone has given me the foundation to begin working toward meaningful change in the field of education, which I know will make my family proud.
2. What part of the dissertation journey are you most proud of? If you could give one piece of advice to learners currently working on their dissertations, what would it be?
Dr. Cloughly: My advice to a doctoral learner would be to trust yourself and keep moving forward, even when you feel uncertain or overwhelmed.
I remember feeling completely unsure about how to do thematic analysis and repeatedly starting over because I was convinced I didn’t know what I was doing — but in the end, I was probably more proud of that analysis than any other part of my doctoral project! Imposter syndrome can be debilitating at times, but keep moving — because these are the moments in which you are preparing yourself to be a leader in your field.
3. Who or what helped you stay motivated during your doctoral program?
Dr. Cloughly: I was fortunate to have an amazing group of people supporting me throughout my doctoral journey — including my incredible doctoral mentor, Dr. Thomas Van Soelen, as well as other mentors both inside and outside of Capella. My colleagues and friends were also incredibly supportive, offering not only valuable feedback and insights but encouragement through even the most challenging moments.
4. How do you hope to use your EdD in Adult Education to make an impact in your field? Now that you have graduated, what is the next goal you are excited to pursue?
Dr. Cloughly: Earning my EdD is only the beginning. I am excited to expand the work I began during my doctoral project, which explored instructional strategies and principles for serving young adult learners in the adult basic education context. My vision is to build on this foundation through collaboration, further studies, and eventual publication, with the ultimate goal of equipping adult education practitioners to foster meaningful academic success that empowers young adult learners to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Are you a proud Capella graduate making an impact in your field or community?
We’d love to hear your story. Share your accomplishments and be considered for a future alumni spotlight by submitting the Alumni Accomplishments Form. Your journey could inspire others to keep reaching for their goals.
