Abstract
Purpose. The first two purposes were to determine what knowledge, skills, and behaviors University of La Verne graduates and their colleagues or supervisors reported that graduates demonstrate at work in oral and written communication, technology applications, conflict management, decision making, and teamwork. The third purpose was to determine what emerging knowledge, skills, and behaviors La Verne doctoral graduates and their community college supervisors or colleagues would like to see future graduates demonstrate to be effective at work. Methodology. Twenty doctoral graduates and their seventeen supervisors or colleagues from eight community colleges in Southern California comprised the sample for this descriptive study. Both surveys and face-to-face interviews were used to gather data. The response rate was 100 percent. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative methods. Findings. Graduates facilitate meetings that are well organized and include participation of all members; use email to facilitate daily communication; help groups hear both sides of a conflict; use decision-making skills that are reasonable, legal, and ethical; develop collegial relationships with team members that increase productivity; practice strategies that help mediate and manage conflict; and use listening skills and gather necessary information before making decisions. Conclusions. (1) The findings confirm that graduates in this study are scholarly practitioners who learned, transferred, and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviors they learned in five areas of the doctoral program to their leadership roles at work. (2) Graduates who are mid-level and senior-level leaders had more opportunities and visibility as designated leaders in their organizations to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviors they learned in the program. Recommendations for future research. Replicate this study with a larger sample of University of La Verne doctoral graduates and their colleagues and supervisors in Northern California community colleges to determine if the findings and conclusions are the same as those of this study. Implications for action. The doctoral program should continue to provide alumni, future graduates, and current students with opportunities to learn additional technology skills that support distance learning at work.