2008 to 2010
Calvary Cathedral Int’l. Bible School
Associate of Arts Degree in Practical Biblical Theology
Calvary Cathedral Bible School was where I began my re-entry into higher education. It was a two-year program that I was invited to visit, and it was never my intention to attend Bible college. Once there, I enjoyed the class and people so much, that I decided right then and there to enroll.
We studied all of the major biblical themes e.g. salvation, worship, creation, and how these themes could be applied to life in practical ways. I even had the chance to lead worship at the beginning of class. It was a life-changing experience as we dedicated that two-year period to biblical principles and themes. I can honestly say, I left a different person than when I came in.
The class was not an easy one though, primarily because I began several months after the class had begun. But as we studied, worshiped together, shared experiences and prayed for one another, we became a united group. I remember during our final year as we began to approach graduation, the only way I could graduate with my group, was to make up all the lessons I had missed in the beginning of the semester. It seemed an impossible task at the time — but it was so important for me to finish with my group, that I accepted the challenge and did double work for several months. And yes, I absolutely did graduate with my class.
2010 to 2014
National American University
BSc in Organizational Leadership
My fascination with organizations actually began in 1994, while I was serving in a leadership position in a small church in a southern suburb of Chicago. The name of the book was “Process Consultation” by Edgar H. Schein of the Sloan School of Management. Many in the field of organization development (OD), consider this book to be one of the premiere writings on the subject of OD. It was first published in 1988, and clearly demonstrates that Mr. Schein had tremendous foresight far ahead of his time as he explains the relationship between organization processes and the effect of human interactions in those processes (Schein, 1988).
From the introduction of principles from this reading, I can honestly say it was the beginning of a new passion that continues to this day, and one that played a significant role in my enrollment into a undergrad program.
2015 to 2018
Grand Canyon University
Graduate Certification in Life Coaching (GCLC)
MSc in Psychology
It was in my first graduate program that I was introduced to the subject of coaching, and from which I earned a graduate-level certification as a life coach. I found coaching to be a fascinating and empowering tool that encouraged me to think for myself. The more I opened myself to the concepts of coaching, the more I was able to overcome minor and major obstacles I faced in life. It was during this season that I had an opportunity to serve as an ID coach in a program at Gateway Church in Southlake Texas.
I followed that coaching certification by receiving my Master of Science in Psychology, which allowed me to build a stronger foundation for my future coaching career.
2017 to 2019
Grand Canyon University
MSc in Leadership
Following my Psychology degree, I was convinced that I was done, that is until I learned of a new graduate program in leadership, my first love. Unable to resist, I went back and found the program to be the perfect capstone to my educational career. It brought all of my educational pieces together in a way that added both clarity and direction. I loved it!
August 2021
Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI)
aPHR (Associate Professional in Human Resources)
This was a sleeper and probably my last formal certification. Since I did not have a background in human resources, I felt this aPHR designation would provide me with a professional status to accompany my other academic achievements, as well as adding credibility to my future business plans for Creative Alignment Coaching & Consulting LLC.