Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-17-2022

Abstract

During 2014 and 2015 more than 100 stakeholders working with five facilitators applied the systems thinking-informed methodology of Interactive Planning and Idealized Design to create the prototype for an ideal doctoral program for working professionals at the request of Philadelphia University a professional university in Philadelphia. The result was the design of two leadership degrees to be located in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies: an applied research Doctor of Management (DMgt) in Strategic Leadership launched in 2016 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Complex Systems Leadership launched in 2019. Between Spring 2016 and Fall 2019 more than 60 doctoral students were admitted into the leadership dual-doctorates as Philadelphia University merged with Thomas Jefferson University another professional university in Philadelphia. At Commencement in 2019 and 2020, the first 11 DMgt students graduated; by December 2019, five strategic planning projects had been completed for internal and external constituencies, and more than three dozen scholarly papers were written by students and faculty. In Spring 2020, the University announced that both doctoral programs were closed and in Fall 2022 the University announced that effective January 1, 2023, the entire School of Continuing and Professional Studies would be closed with its people and programs placed in other areas of the University. To honor the remaining students, faculty and alumni, a narrative of the rise and demise of this remarkable community is presented.

Language

English

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