June 6, 2018

Doctoral student earns dissertation with aid of Northwest advisor

Dr. Jennifer Gross, second from left, stands with Northwest faculty who teach in the University's joint doctoral program with the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Carole Edmonds, standing second from right, was Gross' advisor.(Submitted photo)

The student of a Northwest Missouri State University advisor is the recipient of the 2017 Dan H. Cockrell Ed.D. Dissertation of the Year Award, which is presented annually by the University of Missouri-Columbia and its joint doctoral program with Northwest.

The dissertation published by Dr. Jennifer Gross, “Student Perceptions of Their Postsecondary Aspirations After Facing Long-Term Suspensions,” received this year’s award. Dr. Carole Edmonds, who retired from Northwest last year as an associate professor of professional education after 21 years of service, was Gross’ advisor.

“Dr. Gross exemplifies the University of Missouri statewide doctoral cohort program mission and vision,” Edmonds said. “Jennifer's journey began as a student struggling with doctoral work and ended as an exceptional leader, researcher and writer.”

Gross, an English teacher at Park Hill High School in Kansas City, Missouri, will receive the dissertation award during a July 25 gala on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus.

Edmonds also advised the 2013 Cockrell recipient. Dr. Michael McBride, coordinator of professional education unit assessment at Northwest, received the honor for 2016.

Northwest’s joint doctoral program with the University of Missouri-Columbia is delivered cooperatively by four other partner institutions: University of Missouri, Southeast Missouri State University, University of Central Missouri and Missouri State University. The regional delivery system provides flexibility to educators who work full-time and access to faculty who collaborate as program instructors.