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Capella University
Bill Lightfoot
Dean of business and mass communication
Class of 2003, Ph.D. in organization and management
Capella University
Bill Lightfoot was already working as a full-time assistant professor for a small college in North Carolina when he decided he wanted to pursue his doctorate. He spent nearly two years researching a range of programs, but was unable to find one that suited his needs amongst the traditional schools near where he lived. “I spoke with faculty at several large universities in my area, but was discouraged as there were no flexible options that would allow me to learn, work, and spend time with my family,” said Lightfoot.
Ultimately, he turned his focus towards online education. In search of an accredited school with a business-related Ph.D. program that would also fit his busy lifestyle, Lightfoot found Capella University. “Capella offered a challenging, rewarding program that was centered on the best practices in higher education,” he said. After several discussions with an admissions advisor and a careful cost analysis, Lightfoot enrolled in Capella’s Ph.D. program in organization and management.
But even after finding a program he was confident in, Lightfoot still had to balance his studies with his work as a professor, e-business owner, father, and husband. This required a lot of discipline on Lightfoot’s part. “My time management skills were exceptional during this period,” he said. “I cut back on my e-business, was allowed to focus on my Ph.D. at work for concentrated periods each week, and managed my personal time so that I could study from 9 to 12 every night, as well as for eight hours on Sundays.”
As he progressed through the program, Lightfoot had the freedom to access his course work whenever he needed, even from remote locations when necessary. However, this convenience certainly did not require sacrificing a rigorous curriculum. “What I appreciate about Capella is their unwavering commitment to quality – they work hard to ensure that students are appropriately challenged to earn their degrees,” said Lightfoot. The feasibility of balancing his course work with other aspects of his life, along with the continued intellectual challenges he faced, ensured Lightfoot that he had made the right decision in choosing Capella.
The pinnacle of the Ph.D. program was the dissertation, which proved both thrilling and overwhelming. “Between learning how to write using APA style, performing a literature review, and actually executing the study, it was very time consuming, and at times – daunting,” said Lightfoot. But between the resources Capella provided and the aid of experienced faculty, Lightfoot found the encouragement he needed. “The faculty was supportive, and in the end, I enjoyed the challenges thrown my way as I explored the topics I was interested in,” said Lightfoot.
Since graduating from Capella in 2003, Lightfoot has gone on to work as the dean of business and mass communication at a local university. He is responsible for programs at five campuses and online, serving close to 1,000 students in both undergraduate and graduate study. Lightfoot praised Capella for the opportunity they provide to a wide variety of individuals who might not otherwise be able to pursue higher education. “I would not have this position without the Ph.D. from Capella,” said Lightfoot. “They enable motivated adult learners to pursue greater knowledge in a flexible format, with a wide range of degree options to further their careers.”
Lightfoot did, however, acknowledge that students should be ready to ask themselves if they are prepared for the discipline required to succeed in an asynchronous learning environment such as Capella’s online classes. While the freedom to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule is a major benefit for busy adults, they need to be invested in their education, and for the right reasons. “Students need to be motivated to learn, not just to secure a new job or a position teaching,” advised Lightfoot. “They also need to be excellent time managers, and their own champions. There is nothing like a motivated student and a qualified faculty member to facilitate the learning experience.”
For Lightfoot, who has extensive experience in education, both as a professor and a student, Capella certainly stood out as one of the best online colleges. “They really have exceptional faculty and support. Their programs and processes are well thought out,” boasted Lightfoot. “Having learned at several of the best Universities in the world, and having taught students from over 80 countries, I really believe that Capella is superior to many institutions globally.”
