The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business recently graduated its first Executive Leadership Ph.D. cohort. Launched in 2022, the Executive Leadership Ph.D. program was created to meet the growing demand among senior-level leaders who wanted to pursue a degree without pausing their careers. Over the course of three years, students take a mix of online and in-person coursework, faculty-guided research and a dissertation focused on solving pressing challenges in business.
Kristin Scott, professor of management at the Powers College of Business and the Executive Leadership Ph.D. program director, is excited to celebrate this first cohort of students. “This first graduating cohort represents a powerful milestone not just for Clemson, but for the future of executive doctoral education. The success of the program reflects the incredible dedication of our students and faculty and confirms that there is strong demand for rigorous, research-driven education tailored to senior leaders. We’re proud to see this vision come to life and even more excited about what lies ahead.”
Meet the Graduates
Ryan Toole
Principal lecturer at the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
Dissertation topic: Explored whether strong workplace relationships could have a hidden dark side; found that strong leader-member relationships protect against stress and exhaustion.
Mark Andrekovich
Senior managing director of Forbes Global Talent
Dissertation topic: The impact of working remotely on succession planning pipelines on employees—particularly women and minorities.
Dirk Roskam
Clinical assistant professor at the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
Dissertation topic: Examined how a founder’s nonverbal behaviors influenced employees’ beliefs and actions, shaping organizational culture.
Jennifer Underwood
TTADS program manager at SAIC
Dissertation topic: Explored leadership approaches enabling adoption of disruptive technologies; studied animation studios transitioning to computer animation.
Allan Glass
Associate professor, CIO, VP of Strategy & Development at Endicott College; Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Company
Dissertation topic: Explored AI transformation as cognitive partnership; identified a three-phase metamorphosis leading to human-AI hybrid organizations.
Kimberly Byars
Sales and marketing manager at BMW and owner of Affluent Affairs
Dissertation topic: Investigated whether CEOs with childhood adversity can transform those experiences into strengths that improve company performance.
Kara McAlister
Assistant professor of management at Lander University
Dissertation topic: Examined gender influences on entrepreneurial success through risk attitudes; found gender-based differences affect venture outcomes.
David Elliott
President of Virginia Analytics
Dissertation topic: Used regulatory focus and identity theory to study how employees in structured organizations navigate regulatory tension through authenticity or adaptation.
Alexander Schad
CEO at Schad Logistics
Dissertation topic: Explored how personal spirituality at work supports employee well-being; found spiritual meaning and community reduce exhaustion and enhance purpose.
Being part of the first Executive Leadership Ph.D. cohort at Clemson has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. This program gave me the tools, mentorship, and confidence to pursue meaningful, evidence-based research while staying grounded in my career and purpose. It’s rare to find a program that challenges you academically, stretches your leadership capacity, and surrounds you with peers who become lifelong collaborators and friends.
Kara Harris McAlister, Ph.D, CPA, assistant professor of management at Lander University
Looking ahead
Scott feels positively about the program’s future, commenting on the strong and sustained interest it has been receiving. “As we continue to admit high-caliber cohorts, we’re committed to deepening the program’s impact and bridging the divide between academia and industry through cutting-edge research and real-world application,” she says. “With a growing alumni base, we’re also excited to develop new partnerships and opportunities that leverage our graduates’ expertise in the classroom, in organizations, and throughout the broader community.”
About the Executive Leadership Ph.D. Program
The Ph.D. in Business Administration Executive Leadership program within the Department of Management at Clemson’s Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business is led by top researchers who deliver an innovative portfolio of courses to take one’s executive career to the next level. The unique program takes a “deep dive” into leadership to enable students to pursue a research agenda fueled by their interests in solving real issues and inspiring meaningful changes.
The program takes an evidence-based approach to leadership with the intent of producing thought leaders who excel at intellectual, interpersonal and strategic pursuits in an ever-changing, multicultural environment. Graduates of the program are qualified for faculty positions in academic settings where they can share their knowledge with future business leaders. Additionally, graduates may return to the industry and utilize advanced research techniques to transform organizations as well as apply innovative solutions to complex business problems.
