"The tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach." --Benjamin Mays

"The important point about problem solving is not that some people are better at it than others. Instead, the important point is that problem solving can be learned. It frequently isn't learned because it isn't taught." -- John D. Bransford and Barry S. Stein

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." -- Alvin Toffler

Dear friends and family,

In December 2005, I embarked on one of my toughest goals ever. I applied and was accepted into the Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences program at Walden University. This doctoral program includes a specialization in Information Systems Management.

I began considering the idea of going for a Ph.D. soon after I completed my Post-Master’s Certificate in Management Information Systems at Oakland University. I researched several schools to see if I met the entrance criteria and to determine the effort that would be needed to accomplish obtaining a doctoral degree. After close to a year of consideration, I finally chose Walden University.

Walden University is a North Central Association accredited school (same as UM and MSU) that offers a doctoral degree in my specialty. I am very pleased that they have transferred some of my previous courses from Oakland University. While many of the courses at Walden will be offered online, this is not to say that it will be any less challenging. In reviewing the course work and speaking with my counselor, I will definitely have my work cut out for me.

Courses will require extensive reading assignments, faculty interviews, test taking and research papers. At least four of the courses that I will be taking will require research papers between 90-120 pages in length and a final dissertation that will likely be a minimum of a year to write and is typically required to be about 150 to 250 pages in length. The course work will take about two and a half to three years to complete before the dissertation process will formally begin. During these times, I will also be attending at least 20 days of residency which will likely be held at the University of Indiana or other locations like California, Texas, Maryland, Georgia and Colorado to name a few.

The purpose of getting a Ph.D. is not to intended for me to leave Comerica Bank. Quite the opposite. I believe that having a Ph.D. and all of the extensive learning about leadership, information systems management, and the ability to perform in depth research will help excel me into a path towards becoming a senior executive. Additionally, I have thought about the possibility of teaching at a college level. But, this is something that I would prefer to give consideration to in later years.

Over the coming months I will be using this website to post my research papers and track my progress through the doctoral program. Please feel free to check back periodically and offer any constructive criticism. As always, I appreciate the support and encouragement that I have always received from my family, friends and co-workers when attempting to accomplish my goals.

Thank you,

Ronald P. Papa Jr.

Check out this interesting news article. 

Asia May Surpass U.S. in Doctorates