college of doctoral studies
Welcome to your source for scholarship and discovery emerging from ۴ý College of Doctoral Studies.
Emotional Intelligence as a Foundation for Organizational Wellness
By Chanell Russell
This white paper examines how emotional intelligence functions as a critical skill in education settings and as a leadership capability in modern organizations, particularly amid rising workplace strain, complexity and change. Designed for scholars, practitioners and organizational leaders, the white paper bridges theory and application, offering insights that can inform leadership development, policy design and organizational strategy.
Rebuilding the Social Contract
By TaMika Fuller, DBA, and Victoria Lender, DBA
This white paper explores findings from the 2025 Career Optimism Index® and how declining institutional trust and autonomy contribute to employee burnout because of limited career development opportunities and prioritizing external hiring. It also explores options employers can take to increase institutional trust by reducing burnout and focus on career development options for employees for internal promotions.
Engaging the Overextended: Designing Higher Education for Women Balancing Care, Work, and Learning
By Jessica Sylvester, Ed.D.
Drawing on findings from the 2025 ۴ý Career Optimism Special ReportTM Series: Moms in the Sandwich Generation report and related scholarship, this white paper examines how institutional models must evolve to reflect modern learners’ conditions, and explores how life-aligned design principles, emphasizing flexibility, belonging, and recognition of lived expertise, can strengthen engagement.
Burnout and Autonomy in the Modern Workforce: The Role of AI-Driven Skilling in Equity and Resilience
By Rheanna Reed, D.M.
Drawing on findings from the ۴ý Career Optimism Index® 2021–2025, this white paper examines the intersection of burnout, autonomy, equity, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the U.S. workforce, and offers actionable strategies for employers to reduce burnout and build a more optimistic, future-ready workforce.
Reclaiming Control: Autonomy as the Key to Workforce Resilience and Career Optimism
By Karen Johnson, Ed.D.
This white paper explores findings from the 2025 Career Optimism Index® and builds on previous research to further explore if autonomy is the missing link in continuing to achieve workforce resilience.