Has it really been almost two months since I last wrote? It is a bit hard for me to believe as I spent most of July writing. My dissertation is done, accepted, and I am now the second "Dr. Nairn" in our family. My brother Bob has a PhD from THE Ohio State University and is a full professor at the University of Oklahoma. As one might expect, we are all proud of him.
My journey took longer. A failed attempt in the 80s and 90s to earn an EdD left me bitter and feeling like a failure I can rationalize away all the reasons why it didn't come together. It doesn't matter. I tried. I failed.
This time things were different, I was different, the program was different, and I am pleased and proud to have my DMgt from the University of Maryland University College. I know that the name sounds like it was put together by the committee on committees, or the group to start-up and implement redundancy...but there is a logic behind it. University Colleges are not uncommon in Europe, or even in Canada where the English model is used. It has come to represent a continuing education or adult education unit of a larger institution. In this case, UMUC

was once the evening college of the University of Maryland. After 1947, when the Truman Commission lit a fire under adult and continuing education, the University College became so large it was spun off as its own university. But, that is not my point...

UMUC was engaged in seeing me succeed. 

It is that simple. UMUC's faculty in Community College Policy and Administration want to see students succeed. My advisor took calls in the evening, on weekends, and talked me through some thorny issues as I pursued my degree. She called me on a beautiful New York Saturday afternoon to tell me that "Dr. Nairn" had been approved by his committee. The entire experience has been affirming. As "the fun guys" would say...we are worthy...