Humanizing the Online Doctoral Experience With High-Impact Faculty Engagement and Mentorship

Abstract

This chapter describes two of the best practices an asynchronous EdD program for educational leadership and organizational innovation program employs to humanize the online course space for its doctoral program. The researchers discuss the origins and development of the continuous weekly support (CWS) model and the lead doctoral faculty mentor (LDFM) program, which are two pillars of the student experience in the online doctoral program. A comprehensive analysis of the technological integrations, frequency of communication, and various messaging techniques are discussed. Additional data is shared regarding a thorough examination of the lead doctoral faculty mentor (LDFM) role, incorporating data from a recently completed institutional research project. The hope is that by sharing these practices, other institutions of higher education may modify and incorporate similar high-impact practices of their own, thereby increasing student persistence, retention, and degree completion, specifically in virtual program environments.