Happy Doc Student Podcast

From GED to PhD: Reaching Higher with Dr. Vernon Czelusniak

March 17, 2021 Episode 19
Happy Doc Student Podcast
From GED to PhD: Reaching Higher with Dr. Vernon Czelusniak
Happy Doc Student Podcast
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Show Notes

Dr. Vernon Czelusniak is the author of GED to PhD Reaching Higher, a book that details his journey from a high school drop-out to college campus president.  

While serving in the military, Dr. Czelusniak attended night school to complete his BA and MA. When he retired as an officer from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1994 after 20 years of service, he got the “bug” to return to school and completed is Ph.D. in Computing Technology in Education from Nova Southeastern University in 1998.

 He has been involved in the Leadership and Education field for over 30 years in 1) Faith-Based, 2) Academic, 3) Bio-medical, 4) Healthcare, 5) Private, 6) Consulting, 7) Government, and 8) Military organizations. He has been working with doctoral students for over 20 years. 

Dr. Czelusniak never dreamt of going to college but having God in his life propelled him forward.

Have you asked yourself: How do I find my strength? (if not, you might want to do this ASAP)

Tips:

  • Be open to finding strength in a source outside of you
  • Be open to opportunities that come your way
  • Know that your past does not define your future (unless you want it to)
  • Try recording yourself (or having your word program read your notes to you (YOU write the notes, don’t just listen to an audiobook or file that you did not create
  • Try Mind Mapping – it’s a great way to organize complex information 
  • Understand that your dissertation is not “just a paper”; it is an academic work built on the foundation of what the researchers before you found
  • You are just bringing one (tiny) brick to the Grand Wall of Knowledge
  • Looking for a research topic? Look in the abstracts and discussion sections of articles – the researchers who came before you will tell you where research is still needed
  • Locate your University’s template and/or rubrics and FOLLOW THEM to a “t”
  • Ask questions! (early and often)
  • Communicate regularly with your Chair (the student/chair relationship is a predictor of success)
  • Establish with your Chair how you will communicate (and be honest about how you receive feedback best)
  • Switching Chairs is not common and can cause you delays, but if things aren't working, have a candid conversation with your Chair and decide together how to proceed

Link to commencement speech: https://youtu.be/3NshKujlP7I

 Link to “From GED to PhD: Reaching Higher”: https://amzn.to/3l64p3w

 Mind Mapper: http://www.mindmapper.com

Connect with Dr.  Czelusniak: DRCZELUSNIAK@GMAIL.COM

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