Exceptional dissertations by Dr. Monica Gaston, Dr. Shaanii-Grace Robinson-Ritzdorf, Dr. Phuong Phan Lac Dong and Dr. Michelle C. Burroughs in the fields of Business Management, Education and Health Administration to be honored at the Knowledge Without Boundaries Research Summit

The University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies has announced the winners of its 2025 Dissertation of the Year Award. All winners and nominees will be recognized at the university’s annual Knowledge Without Boundaries (KWB) Research Summit on October 18, 2025. The Dissertation of the Year winners receive a certificate commemorating their hard work and all nominees are invited to present their research at the summit.

“The dissertation journey is both a test of perseverance and a triumph of discovery for our practitioner doctoral candidates,” said Mansureh Kebritchi, Ph.D., chair, Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR). “Celebrating dissertation excellence honors their resilience, vision, and scholarly achievement as well as the advancement of knowledge that strengthens both academia and professional practice.”

Dissertation of the Year Award Winners are selected from scholars who have completed their doctoral degree programs. The 2025 award winners are:

• Doctor of Management and Doctor of Business Administration programs
  • Monica Gaston, DBA, Doctor of Business Administration and Doctor of Management program, for the dissertation: Differentiation and Performance of U.S. Casual Restaurant Brands through COVID-19: A Quantitative Correlational Study; Chair: Alfreda Goods, DM.
• Doctor of Education program
  • Shaanii-Grace Robinson-Ritzdorf, Ed.D., Doctor of Education, for the dissertation: Elementary teachers' instructional challenges with real-life experiences: a qualitative explanatory case study; Chair: Patricia Akojie, Ph.D.
• Doctor of Health Administration program
  • Phuong Phan Lac Dong, DHA, Doctor of Health Administration, for the dissertation: Provider-patient engagement and patient-centered care: a correlational study; Chair: Ela-Joy Lehrman, Ph.D.
  • Michelle C. Burroughs, DHA, Doctor of Health Administration, for the dissertation: Unraveling the complexities of orthopedic injury recovery among unhoused men: a qualitative phenomenological study; Chair: Kelly J. Gantt, DNP.

The Dissertation of the Year award program was developed to recognize excellence in dissertation work among University of Phoenix doctoral students. Doctoral students who successfully defended their dissertation within the past year and were nominated by their chairs or committee members were eligible for the award. “Creating the dissertation was the most grueling yet satisfying cognitive experience. Amid the stress and self-doubt, there was a deep sense of fulfilment and euphoria in seeing my original study being shaped into an intellectual masterpiece,” shares Robinson-Ritzdorf. “Being recognized as one of the recipients of the 2025 Dissertation of the Year award was the crowning moment that validated the effort, acknowledged the challenges, and celebrated the accomplishment.”

“The dissertation journey was filled with long hours, challenges, and moments that truly tested me—but it was also one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic and professional life. With the invaluable guidance of my committee and mentor, I pushed beyond my comfort zone and ultimately grew into a true Scholar-Practitioner-Leader,” states Gaston, who is also vice president, Brand and Product Marketing at University of Phoenix. “The process allowed me to contribute to the body of knowledge in my field and also gave me deeper insights into the questions I face daily in my work. This recognition affirms the value of that journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to grow as both a leader and a human being.”

Burroughs shared that her doctoral journey was both deeply personal and profoundly relevant to challenges in the healthcare environment today: “This award is not only an honor but also a reminder of the responsibility we hold as Scholar-Practitioner-Leaders—to generate knowledge, challenge systems, and translate research into meaningful change that improves the lives of patients and strengthens the resilience of our healthcare system.”

As a primary care administrator, Phan found that, combined with his own successful dissertation research, the DHA program provided a broader understanding of health care law, strategic planning, leadership, and communication: “Pursuing the degree was the most challenging, rewarding adventure in my professional career. It enhances my ability to have a greater impact on health care, especially in primary care. I can now approach patient care from different perspectives.”

A total of 34 high-quality candidates were nominated for this year’s award. From that pool, these four winners were identified after rigorous evaluation through a double-blind peer-reviewed process, with each nomination reviewed by at least two experts in the field.

Other nominees will also be honored at the summit. Learn more about the Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit and register here.

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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