Jessica Truscott, PhD in Psychology ’23, MS in Psychology ’16, knows what it means to step away from a goal without letting go of it.

She first enrolled in her PhD program while working at Walden as an academic advisor. Part of the appeal was practical. She had only experienced traditional, brick-and-mortar education, and she wanted, as she put it, “to understand the student experience here at Walden” from the inside. She was curious, motivated, and ready to learn.

Then life happened. Other priorities needed her attention. She didn’t finish her doctorate at that time, and instead completed the coursework needed to earn her Walden MS in Psychology in 2016. Because she already held a master’s degree in higher education from another university, it would have been easy to leave it there and move on.

But she never fully let go of her desire to earn her doctorate.

The Push to Finish Became Personal

While advising Walden students, Truscott often attended residencies with counseling and social work learners. Every time, she came back energized by the students, their passion, and the momentum in the room. Those experiences kept reminding her that finishing her PhD still mattered.

After one residency, she told her dad how inspired she felt and how often she thought about going back. His response stayed with her: “It would be so great to call you ‘doctor.’”

 Later, that encouragement became even more personal. That conversation happened in May. By June, she had signed up for residency and reentered the program. Less than a year later, her dad passed away.

For Truscott, finishing her doctorate became more than a credential. It became one of the last promises she could keep from a conversation that meant everything to her. 

Why Coming Back Worked

Returning only made sense because the experience fit real life. Flexibility mattered. Truscott says being able to check in and study on her own time was essential in her already busy life.

Just as importantly, Walden matched how she learns. She describes herself as someone who needs time to digest information and reflect before moving forward. The online format gave her the space to do that. For her, Walden was a better fit for deeper learning.

Support mattered, too. Truscott credits her dissertation chair and the broader faculty experience with helping her keep going. “The faculty and the staff are so supportive that if you’re using them as resources, they’re going to be there to help guide you and they’re going to be there to help make sure that you’re successful,” she says.

More Than a Career Story

Truscott is clear that the doctorate has value in higher education, where, in her words, “having ‘Dr.’ in front of your name is always good.” But that is not the only reason she pursued her doctorate.

What she gained through Walden also strengthened the work she cares about outside her job. Her psychology background deepened her understanding of people, beliefs, behavior, and the pressures shaping how communities respond to the world around them. She has applied that perspective in her work with the LGBTQ+ and veteran communities, as well as in a consulting business she started with her partner to support small organizations and grant-writing efforts. As she puts it, the degree “improved my life overall” and helped her bring more depth to the work that matters most to her.

What ‘Doctor’ Means to Her Now

For Truscott, “Dr.” is not just a title. It is a reminder.

It reminds her that she came back. It reminds her that she finished something difficult. It reminds her that when another challenge shows up, she has already done something that once felt too big to carry all the way through. “I wrote a dissertation. I did that,” she says. “I can do hard things. I can definitely do this.”

Considering What’s Next?

Truscott is candid that no student experience is perfect, but when she looks back on Walden, what stays with her most is not the struggle. It is the support, the pride, and the moments that felt deeply rewarding.

She has seen Walden from both sides, as a staff member and as a student. She always wanted students to feel supported, and when it was her turn to finish, she experienced that same support firsthand.

Truscott’s story shows that putting a goal on pause does not have to mean giving it up. When you are ready to move forward, Walden can help you do it in a way that fits your life, your learning style, and the change you want to create.

Explore Walden’s online programs to see what’s possible.

And if you’re a Walden graduate returning for another degree or certificate, you may be eligible for up to 30% tuition savings in eligible programs.

Disclaimers:
This testimonial reflects the personal experience and opinions of the individual. Experiences may vary and are not intended to represent typical student outcomes.

Completion of a degree or certificate does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment. Licensure and practice requirements vary by state and professional role.

Statements regarding professional growth, career opportunities, and skill development are based on the individual’s experience and should not be interpreted as guarantees.