Rashan Legard鈥檚 academic journey began with earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communications and broadcasting in 2011. Like many new graduates, he was getting ready to step into the job market and begin his career. He soon realized how difficult it was to get a job, facing multiple rejections, he decided to pursue something bigger. 鈥淭hat fueled me,鈥� he reflects. 鈥淚 realized I wanted more in life.鈥� Soon after, he made a bold decision: he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Rashan served in the Army for ten years and was stationed in Hawaii. He embraced both the discipline and the deep sense of mission that military life provided. 鈥淎s long as I felt like I was part of a mission, I was okay,鈥� he said. While serving, he continued his education, earning his second bachelor鈥檚 degree in social work in 2019, followed by a master鈥檚 in social work in 2023.聽
Why Rashan Chose to Pursue a Doctoral Degree聽
At first, he considered pursuing a Ph.D. in social work. But after some honest self-reflection, he realized something important. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 really want a Ph.D., and I鈥檓 not fond of researching. But I figured I could do a doctorate because it鈥檚 less research-focused and more applied.鈥� Around that same time, he came across Abilene Christian University’s Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership. Intrigued, he began researching the difference between a Ph.D. and an Ed.D. 鈥淚鈥檝e always had a passion for leadership,鈥� Rashan explained. 鈥淲hen I saw the positive leadership track at 精东影业, it just made sense.鈥�
Choosing 精东影业 wasn鈥檛 a rushed decision; it was intentional. It aligned with both his professional goals and his personal faith. The program offered more than academic rigor; it offered integration of purpose.
Rashan鈥檚 favorite class so far is Human Resources; he called the class 鈥減henomenal鈥� and continues to express deep appreciation for the coursework. 鈥淚t goes beyond the book and gives you the chance to use your skillset and experience within the coursework,鈥� he shared. Rashan began to rave about having a deeper understanding of leadership as opposed to being someone who just manages a group of individuals. He鈥檚 learning how to create environments that are safe, foster good morale and boost performance for the workplace. 鈥淭his program is teaching me the severity of being a leader,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about helping people grow in the workplace. It鈥檚 about understanding policies, systems and how they affect real lives.鈥澛�
Rashan鈥檚 Vision for the Future
As the founder and CEO of his own organization, he鈥檚 also thinking bigger. He wants to move beyond storytelling into strategy. The positive leadership program is helping him refine how he communicates vision, builds trust and creates with other leaders to build safer spaces for others. 鈥淚t鈥檚 teaching me how to use storytelling to promote meaningful change,鈥� he says. 鈥淗ow to speak effectively to supporters and organizations. How to transform what I鈥檓 doing to an international level.鈥�
Another important aspect of Rashan鈥檚 journey with 精东影业鈥檚 Organizational Leadership program is that faith remains at the center of it all. He appreciates how 精东影业 integrates faith into leadership principles, which reinforces the importance of leadership being rooted in humility, service and character.聽
When asked about his future plans, Rashan wants to hit the ground running and gain more experience at the organizational level. Rashan still wants to run his business and is looking into how to grow it into something larger. 鈥淚鈥檓 still figuring that part out,鈥� he admits. 鈥淚 want to expand my business at a systematic level. I鈥檇 love to contribute research insight to the medical system somehow. I just don鈥檛 know exactly how yet. I鈥檓 leaving it to Jesus.鈥�
Helping Veterans and Advice For Students
As a veteran, Rashan experienced moments when he didn鈥檛 feel supported at other institutions and hoped 精东影业 would be different.聽 Rashan wanted to create a space for student veterans and founded 精东影业鈥檚 chapter for the . 鈥溇耙� made the process easy,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey supported me holistically.鈥� Working alongside faculty and staff,聽 he was able to create a safe space where veterans can check in, attend workshops, participate in conferences and explore scholarship opportunities.聽
Rashan, being a leader and motivator, also wanted to send a clear message: 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter what school you go to, it鈥檚 about you.鈥� He continued to express the importance of remaining resilient in the face of adversity and being honest with oneself about goals. 鈥淒o the research and then go all in,鈥� Rashan then emphasized putting all faith in God to move forward.聽聽
Rashan Legard has faced many ups and downs throughout his academic career, but has remained strong in the pursuit of his doctoral degree. Joining 精东影业 has allowed him to build his confidence and leadership skills, fostering change in his current workspace and among his peers.聽
To learn more about 精东影业鈥檚 organizational leadership program and other fields of study offered, visit our website.