Doctor of Education Admissions
Admissions Essay for EdD – Adult Education and Leadership at Jones International University
By Ms. Hala G. Monsour, M.Ed.
4 February 2011
In May of 2006, one very late night, I refrained from pulling my hair as I reached a peak of discontent with a commitment I signed up for in the academic world. I had just recently finished a bachelor’s degree. I soon found myself diving in head first into the next ideal step; signing up for a master’s degree in a field I believed will complement the field of study I just finished in my undergraduate studies. My level of discontent arose from my immediate awareness that the program I was pursuing for my graduate studies isn’t something I will eventually feel well-placed in ( I didn’t want my master’s program of study to pull me down a path of frustration.)
I knew what I wanted – I wanted to learn (more) in order to be an effective leader and a contributing member in the communities I serve. I wanted to know all I could know so I am able to work with others in a professional capacity that drives individuals to be motivated and stay dedicated to their causes. I wanted to drive forward the message of ‘anything can be accomplished’ given that you apply yourself, and I wanted to be proactive in setting a comprehensive pace to the masses through leadership by example, through selflessness, and through my contributions in the adult education field.
Back in 2006, I knew little about social networks, or what social networking meant. I knew even less about external forums available on the internet. I was in such a zone of learning that I stuck with the standard requisites in the forms of tools and resources offered in a closed environment. I did however know how to use messenger chatting applications and I expressed my frustration to a friend. This friend quickly offered me a link to Jones International University. This friend also mentioned that I will not be disappointed as the customer service is incredible and the overall educational experience is well worth the time and effort and personal resources applied. I didn’t hesitate. I believe it was close to midnight that Friday night when I applied for admissions to Jones International University. The next day, a Saturday, I received the call that changed my life forever. I spoke with a well-informed admissions counselor. We spent time talking about the journeys of life. I knew the gentleman was more passionate about driving home the message of commitment more than anything else.
As of today, 4 February 2011, I write this admissions essay using a slightly different approach than I was originally anticipating. In the past five years, Jones International University has played a major role in my life. The staff and faculty, and my colleagues over this timespan have lent a tremendous amount of knowledge, wisdom, expertise, guidance and support. What I have learned from this ongoing experience is that people care – people who have the passion invested in the right things can make a world of difference in someone else’s life. Kindness is contagious and often times than not, people who understand the importance of a guiding hand will value those who sacrifice their entire life to have others succeed. I was able to complete my first master’s degree in adult education by writing an entire program in a linguistic dialect I never spoke before but had experienced the conversational attributes on occasion for professional reasons. I found that I was challenged beyond my imagination could take me. I was supported and I was motivated by the positive attitude I experienced with everyone.
There was a tremendous positive change from my first course having written about Maslow and Herzberg motivational impacts and hierarchy of needs (and knowing very little about these theories) – to the time I was in a class where I actually experienced these impacts and reached a level of self-actualization and awareness about my own strengths and weaknesses.
It was at that moment in my life that I smiled wide enough in knowing that I did it. I remember it was around 2 am in the morning while I was overly persistent in delivering quality work in EDU 651: Designing Interactive e-Learning. I remember using Skype to write my professor, Dr. Ashok Banerji in India about this new sensation and it was he that congratulated me by stating I have reached a new peak in my life. And – it was then and only then that my very first graduate degree paper during EDU 500 – Preparing for Lifelong Learning presented me the actual value of what I wrote [then] – the value being: knowing oneself…and understanding the true meaning of selfless giving. This has changed my perspective and attitude toward teaching and learning – for the rest of my life.
My goal during this three year program for the EdD in Adult Education at Jones International University is to learn from my peers, my surroundings, my life and my experiences to generate and deliver world-class content that enables current and future learners the ability to fulfill their life-long academic and personal development needs. I am interested to pursue with an emphasis in Business for the Learning Organization that has valid and proven methods (both qualitative and quantitative) to assert the importance of adult education presence in working organizations.
It is my direct belief at this time that the workplace learning environments often lack in adequate and comprehensive training because the return on investment often focuses on the monetary bottom line in profit margins – however, an organization ready and willing to maintain its longevity, grow and prosper will always need a strong set of skilled and well-trained employee base that can stand the test of time. Adult Education in the workplace environments can greatly benefit from business practices, and lessons learned and benchmarking analysis to further advance in taking education to the next step. What that step is at this point, I am not sure --- however, this is something I am interested in pursuing to find out and hope that my findings will yield a result base that benefits the greater good.
I believe I am a life-long learner and will continue to find means and ways to work on improving so I remain aligned with the needs that our current and future generation will present. Earning a Doctor of Education in Adult Education will allow me the opportunity to work with professionals across the globe in both research and academia to where I am afforded the opportunity to make a difference and lead a life that allows me to give back to the community…While I remain open to change, and exercise the true definitions and meanings of responsibility, accountability, loyalty, dedication, and honor, courage and commitment!
Semper Fidelis,
Ms. Hala Monsour, M.Ed.
U. S. Marine – Retired
