When Tabitha Messmore looked for a doctoral program, she didn’t want a narrow specialty—she wanted a leadership ‘superpower.’ As the founder of Word Nerd Magic, she now uses her Kent State EdD to bridge the gap between complex research and real-world impact.
As a member of the first-ever EdD cohort, Tabitha began the program in 2020 — a year that tested leadership across every sector.
“We were the very first cohort, and we started during the COVID shutdown, so being fully online was actually part of the experience from the beginning,” she said.
Today, Tabitha lives in Pittsburgh, where she runs her own editing company, Word Nerd Magic, continuing to apply the interdisciplinary and scholarly tools she developed through Kent State’s fully online EdD program.
Mastering Virtual Leadership & Global Collaboration
Because the EdD in Interprofessional Leadership is designed to be 100% online, collaboration is intentionally built into the student experience. For Tabitha and her cohort, that design became especially powerful during a time when virtual leadership was essential.
“We were all still learning how to work and collaborate online, and in a strange way, that really supported what the program is about — learning how to connect and lead across spaces and disciplines.”
Students created cohort-wide Microsoft Teams communities, along with smaller course-based groups, to support collaboration, discussion, and peer learning.
“Those spaces made it possible for us to stay connected, collaborate on projects, and really learn from one another — even when we weren’t in the same place.”
That approach reflected the program’s emphasis on interprofessional collaboration, including working with peers across roles, backgrounds, and time zones.
“We had group projects where someone was literally on the other side of the world,” Tabitha shared. “It really reinforced how important communication and collaboration are in leadership work.”
Balancing Doctoral Study with Professional Practice
Designed for working professionals, the EdD program encourages students to integrate doctoral study into their existing professional lives. For Tabitha, that integration became more complex as everyday responsibilities returned — but the program structure helped her adapt.
“The program really made me think intentionally about how I manage my time, my energy, and my focus,” she said.
Her advice to future students reflects the realities of doctoral study in a leadership-focused program:
“You have to recognize that something may need to step back for a little while and communicate that this work matters — not just academically, but professionally.”
She also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness as a leader and learner.
“Knowing when your brain works best and planning your reading, writing, and thinking around that is a huge part of being successful in this program.”
Leading with Fairness and Systemic Impact
One of the defining features of Kent State’s EdD in Interprofessional Leadership is its fairness and social justice lens — an aspect that immediately resonated with Tabitha.
“That focus on equity and social justice was honestly one of the main reasons I chose this program,” she said.
Through coursework, readings, and discussion, students are encouraged to critically examine systems, power, and leadership across sectors.
“The program created space to think deeply about equity — not just in theory, but in how it shows up in our work and leadership practices.”
Learning alongside classmates from multidisciplinary professional backgrounds further enriched that experience.
“Being able to learn from other students and faculty who brought different perspectives really strengthened that equity-focused work.”
Why an Interprofessional Doctorate Matters
After exploring traditional PhD programs, Tabitha knew she wanted a doctorate that emphasized connection over specialization.
“Most programs I looked at were very narrowly focused,” she explained. “I’m much more of an interdisciplinary, connect-the-dots kind of person — and that’s exactly what this program supports.”
At the time, Tabitha worked at Kent State’s LaunchNET, where collaboration across departments was central to her role.
“Interprofessional collaboration was already part of my work, so being in a program that valued that made everything feel aligned.”
That alignment between coursework and professional practice is a core element of the EdD curriculum.
Solving Real-World Problems through Research
The EdD in Interprofessional Leadership emphasizes the development of scholarly practitioners — leaders who intentionally connect research, theory, and practice. For Tabitha, this became one of the most impactful aspects of the program.
“I loved learning how to better connect research and theory to the real-world work I was already doing,” she said.
That integration came to life through her dissertation in practice, which allowed her to synthesize multiple strands of her professional experience.
“My dissertation helped me see how my work connected and how it fit within emerging educational theory,” she explained. “That process completely changed how I understand my professional journey.”
Rather than viewing the dissertation as a one-time project, Tabitha describes it as foundational to her ongoing scholarly work.
“It gave me the tools and mindset to continue developing as a scholarly practitioner — even now, outside of higher education.”
Faculty Support That Extends Beyond Graduation
A hallmark of the program for Tabitha was the ongoing faculty mentorship, particularly her relationship with her advisor, Dr. Levinson.
“The level of support from faculty didn’t stop at graduation,” she said. “I now have a professional relationship with my advisor, and that’s something I’m incredibly grateful for.”
That mentorship led to continued scholarly collaboration, including a presentation at the Carnegie Project on the EdD Annual Convening focused on supporting nontraditional dissertations in practice.
“Being able to collaborate with faculty and alumni beyond the program really reflects the culture of support in this EdD.”
Advice for Future EdD Students
For professionals considering Kent State’s online Doctor of Education in Interprofessional Leadership, Tabitha offers thoughtful encouragement.
“If you’re looking to deepen your leadership work, challenge how you think, and connect theory to practice, this is a program worth exploring.”
Students enter the program with different goals — some to advance their current roles, others to explore new directions — but the personal growth is universal.
“This program didn’t just change how I work,” Tabitha reflected. “It helped me reconnect with parts of myself as a leader and scholar.”
Her final takeaway speaks directly to the program’s community-driven approach:
“You get out of it what you put in — but you’re surrounded by people who genuinely want to support your growth. I feel very lucky to still have this community in my corner.”
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Leadership Journey?
Kent State University’s online Doctor of Education in Interprofessional Leadership is designed for professionals who want to lead with purpose, impartiality, and impact across disciplines. With a flexible online format, an interdisciplinary curriculum, and a strong emphasis on scholarly practice, the program empowers students to connect research and theory to real-world leadership challenges.
If you’re ready to deepen your leadership practice, explore fairness-driven solutions, and join a supportive community of faculty and peers, now is the time to take the next step.
Learn more, request information, or apply today by visiting
onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/doctor-of-education-interprofessional-leadership
