Find Your Program

Or browse by

Browse our programs

Why I Refer: Moving on Up

Jewel Pointer

NAME: Jewel Pointer ’15, ’13

DEGREES EARNED: MS in Leadership and Master of Information Systems Management (MISM)

CURRENT PROGRAM: Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

CURRENT JOB: Zoning Inspector III, City of Dallas

YOUR HUSBAND RECENTLY COMPLETED HIS MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (MPA) AT WALDEN. WHY DID YOU REFER HIM TO WALDEN? James has served as a police officer for several years, and he wanted to build the skills and knowledge he needed to advance in his department. He knew from seeing me earn two master’s degrees that working one-on-one with the instructors helps you understand the material much better. Walden has an amazing staff that provides students with all the information they need. The workload was more manageable for working parents like us; the hours of our jobs didn’t work with classes offered at local colleges. Walden was a great solution for both of us.

WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN IN JAMES SINCE HE EARNED HIS MPA? Not only is he using what he learned at work, he’s also mentoring young men in our community. He teaches them the importance of education and why it’s so important for them to see and act on the potential within them. He tells them, “Don’t quit. Always keep moving forward. Look at me. I’m older, but I still took the time and effort to go back to school and earn an advanced degree.”

YOU’VE ALREADY EARNED TWO DEGREES FROM WALDEN. WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO ENROLL AGAIN TO PURSUE YOUR DBA? My master’s degrees helped me get a promotion and move up in my career. Now I’d like to prepare myself to move into management, and the DBA will give me the additional communication and leadership skills I need to make that next move. Eventually I want to open a facility for single parents to help them complete their education and assist them with finding employment. I’m also teaching computer science at a local community college and I want to show them how they can tap into their own leadership potential. It will be my opportunity to step up and help individuals who cannot do it by themselves.


 

Jewel Pointer Photo credit: Teresa Berg

DOWNLOAD MAGAZINE

Whether looking for information on programs, admissions, or financial aid, we're here to help.

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Step 1: Contact Information
  • Step 2: Academic Interests

Are you or your spouse an active or retired U.S. military service member?*

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, messages created by generative artificial intelligence, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from Walden University (Walden) and its contractors using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at Walden, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 866-492-5336. For telephonic communications, message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. To opt out of communications via text messaging reply STOP or HELP for help or call 866-492-5336. For more information, visit Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.