University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies announces winners of 2026 Dissertation of the Year Award

Outstanding dissertations in education, health administration, business administration and management recognized for scholarly excellence

PHOENIX, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies has announced the winners of its 2026 Dissertation of the Year Award, recognizing four exceptional dissertations selected from 39 nominees through a rigorous double-blind peer-review process. The winners, representing the Doctor of Education, Doctor of Health Administration, Doctor of Business Administration and Doctor of Management programs, will be honored during the University's 13th annual Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit on Oct. 22-23, 2026.

"The Dissertation of the Year Award recognizes the highest level of scholarly achievement among our doctoral students and reflects the quality, rigor and real-world relevance of the research being conducted across our College," said Hinrich Eylers, PhD, vice provost of the College of Doctoral Studies at University of Phoenix. "This year's winners exemplify how practitioner-scholars can generate meaningful insights that contribute to their professions, strengthen organizations and communities, and advance understanding of complex challenges."

The Dissertation of the Year Award program was established to recognize excellence in dissertation work among University of Phoenix doctoral students. Students who successfully defended their dissertations within the previous year were eligible for nomination. Each dissertation was evaluated through a rigorous double-blind peer-review process and reviewed by at least two experts in the field. In cases of tied scores, a third reviewer evaluated the dissertation to ensure fairness and consistency in the selection process. 

The 2026 Dissertation of the Year winners are:

• Doctor of Education: Dr. Tamara Betz, Self-care, stress, and burnout among Midwest middle school teachers: a qualitative narrative study; Chair: Dr. Anthony Fitzpatrick
• Doctor of Health Administration: Dr. Rosann Hamilton, Trait-emotional intelligence (TEI) and help-seeking of Jamaicans: a quantitative correlational study; Chair: Dr. Charles Elliott
• Doctor of Business Administration: Dr. Paul David White III, Rebalancing employee monetary versus non-monetary compensation packages: a qualitative descriptive case study; Chair: Dr. Robert Krell
• Doctor of Management: Dr. Sheila-Marie Mofield, Best practices and strategies of successful VA prosthetic leaders: a qualitative exploratory case study; Chair: Dr. Andrew Beran

This year's honorees reflected on the personal and professional impact of their work, including Dr. Sheila-Marie Mofield, whose research centers on healthcare for veterans. "Receiving the Dissertation of the Year award is both deeply meaningful and an incredible honor because this research is personal," she shared. "I strive to represent amputee family members such as myself, who grew up with a parent as a veteran double upper-extremity amputee, I have many memories of going to VA hospitals and prosthetic labs, where I developed an early passion for healthcare, prosthetics, and the profound impact these services have on quality of life. I hope this work contributes to ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare leadership, improve operational effectiveness, and ultimately enhance the quality of care and outcomes for the Veterans who have sacrificed so much in service to our country."

Dr. White, who was recognized for his dissertation on rebalancing employee compensation packages, says being recognized with the Dissertation of the Year Award was an incredible honor. "Receiving this award serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through perseverance, hard work, and a commitment to thoughtful discovery," White shared. "My research was driven by a desire to better understand the real-world challenges leaders face when making difficult compensation and benefit decisions. I hope my findings contribute to more effective organizational decisions, greater collaborative initiatives, and meaningful policy implementation. This recognition gives the many long hours and challenges of my doctoral journey an even greater personal and professional significance."

Dr. Betz, who completed her dissertation while working full time, shared her thoughts on the honor as well. "Earning my doctorate was the best and most difficult adventure I have ever finished, especially because my journey included a 13-year hiatus before I finally found my way back," said Betz. "I started this research wanting the stories I uncovered to live beyond the pages of a dissertation, so being named Dissertation of the Year and now seeing this work being published through the University of Chicago Schools Journal feels like an absolute dream. There is something pretty amazing about realizing that the journey you almost didn't finish may end up being the one that carries your work the farthest."

The Dissertation of the Year Award highlights the impact practitioner-scholar research can have on education, healthcare, business and organizational leadership. The winning dissertations reflect the University's commitment to scholarship that informs practice, addresses real-world challenges and contributes to meaningful change in professional and community settings.

Learn more about the College of Doctoral Studies at University of Phoenix here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life^® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

SOURCE University of Phoenix