Tammy Wagner

Growing Leaders: Leadership Identity Development and Career Paths of Doctoral Student Completers Tammy Wagner

The purpose of this exploratory, phenomenological study was to uncover the common experiences of doctoral student completers in one leadership program. This study was conducted in cooperation with post-graduates ten years after program completion. It was conducted using qualitative methodology in a bound, case study format. Survey and interview data were collected and analyzed for common themes based upon the predetermined themes of leadership identity development and job and career paths. Findings provided a voice to the doctoral students and added to current research on leadership identity development, graduate student career paths, and the assessment of doctoral programs. Further exploration into the sub-themes uncovered in this study may offer insight into adult development as well as the concepts of human and social capital.