Team

Dr. Steven Bourgeois founded Dissertation Pathway in 2012 with a simple mission: Provide guidance to help doctoral students complete a high-quality dissertation while meeting their proposed timeline. Over the past 12 years, he has helped 300+ doctoral students complete their terminal degree. He has been in public education for 25 years as a high school German teacher, head tennis coach, state testing coordinator, and director of research. He served as executive director for one of the largest charter organizations in the United States. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Dallas. He holds a B.A. in music, B.A. in German, and M.A. in German Literature, all from the University of Oregon. He obtained a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Bourgeois has a record of publication in peer-reviewed educational journals and presentations at state, regional, national, and international conferences in the areas of student motivation/engagement, transformational leadership, and collective teacher efficacy.  

Dr. Bourgeois details his dissertation consulting method in a book titled: 

Kill the beast: Moving from ABD to PhD, available on Amazon.com

Dr. Myrna Blanchard is the Director of Talent Acquisition and Policy at Castleberry ISD in Fort Worth, Texas. Appointed as the district’s Director of Human Resources in May 2021, Dr. Blanchard brings over 20 years of educational experience to her role. She began her career as a Bilingual/ESL Teacher and has since held various leadership positions, including Principal at Fort Worth ISD and Director of Bilingual/ESL Programs at Everman ISD. Additionally, she has taught as an adjunct professor at Texas Wesleyan University and the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Blanchard earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of North Texas, a Master of Education in Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education from Texas Wesleyan University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her expertise lies in talent acquisition, educational policy, and bilingual education, with a focus on fostering inclusive and diverse learning environments. Dr. Blanchard’s extensive background in project management, writing for statewide publications, and developing personnel talents underscores her commitment to excellence in education. Her leadership is characterized by a dedication to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all students have access to high-quality education. Dr. Blanchard’s passion for education and her extensive experience make her a valuable asset to Castleberry ISD, where she continues to enhance educational practices and policies for the benefit of students, staff, and the community. 

Dr. Delcenia Collins-Murrell is the Director of Student Services at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. Appointed in August 2023, she brings over a decade of higher education experience to her role. Dr. Collins-Murrell has held leadership positions at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Louisville, and the University of Texas at Arlington. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master’s in College Student Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Central Arkansas. Her expertise includes strategic planning, higher education administration, and student success initiatives, with a focus on creating inclusive and engaging learning environments. Dr. Collins-Murrell has successfully managed multimillion-dollar budgets, supervised large teams, and developed innovative programs that enhance student learning and retention. Her commitment to fostering inclusive environments and her collaborative, results-driven approach make her a valuable asset to Boston University. 

Dr. Kim Coppens is a passionate transformational educator with a diverse and comprehensive background in both academic and corporate settings. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University in 2022, an MS in Human Resources, and a BA in Human Resources. Dr. Coppens is certified as a Superintendent, Principal, 7-12 Math teacher, 6-12 Business & Finance teacher, 4-8 Generalist, ESL, and Gifted educator. She currently serves as a Doctoral Research Methodologist and Coach in Quantitative Methods and as an Adjunct Faculty member at Dallas Baptist University. Additionally, Dr. Coppens is a Research Specialist at Ahart Solutions, a role she has held since 2022. Her extensive experience includes serving as a Virtual Math Instructional Designer and AP Statistics Teacher for Lewisville ISD, a New Teacher Mentor in Title 1 schools, and a Guest Lecturer at the University of North Texas. With over 15 years in corporate HR and ministry leadership, Dr. Coppens brings a unique perspective to her work, focusing on innovative and impactful educational practices. She is dedicated to fostering educational excellence and mentoring future leaders in the field of education. 

Dr. Ericka Johnson-Allan is a seasoned educational leader, executive coach, and founder of Imagine That Consulting, LLC, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. With over a decade at Responsive Education Solutions, including roles as Superintendent and Executive Director, she has a proven track record of fostering academic excellence and equity. Dr. Johnson-Allan also serves as a Dissertation Chair at Dallas Baptist University. She holds a Doctor of Education from Dallas Baptist University and both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Known for her visionary leadership and dedication to continuous improvement, she has mentored countless campus leaders and implemented research-based instructional strategies.  

Dr. Sharon Lee retired from Dallas Baptist University in 2023 and is working alongside Dr. Bourgeois in expanding Dissertation Pathways to guide doctoral students as they complete their dissertations for their terminal degrees. During her tenure at DBU, Dr. Lee served as the Director of Educational Research K-12 where she guided 200+ doctoral students to graduation. She currently serves as Chair of several doctoral committees as she continues to mentor doctoral students on their personal academic and professional journeys. Dr. Lee has almost 40 years of experience in a variety of educational settings. She has over 20 years experience as a university professor, reaching the rank of full professor at both DBU and the University of South Dakota. She was a High School English teacher, a middle school reading teacher, and an elementary language arts teacher. She has taught in both public and private settings and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for two separate charter schools. She also served as the Minister of Education at a local church where she provided leadership for all educational activities ranging from preschool to senior adults. Dr. Lee earned a B.A. and M.A. in English from Texas A&M University. She has a PhD in Educational Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M and has published widely in peer reviewed journals and regional publications. Her book, Teacher Research: From Promise to Practice, encourages all educators to expand their use of research to inform their teaching. She is particularly interested in mentoring, servant leadership, and qualitative research methods. 

Dr. Sandra Maddox is a distinguished retired educator and the CEO of People in Touch. With over 35 years of experience in K-12 education, Sandra has made significant contributions to the field, culminating in her role as Deputy Executive Director of the Region 10 Education Service Center in Texas. She holds a B.A. and M.S. from Baylor University and a PhD from the University of North Texas. Her expertise includes project management, writing for statewide publications, document review, and personnel development. Since September 2014, Sandra has led People in Touch, a company specializing in senior care, focusing on the aging process and maintaining mental capacity. Beyond her professional achievements, Sandra is deeply committed to civic and volunteer activities. She serves as a trustee on the McMurry University Board in Abilene, Texas, and is an active grant writer for non-profits. Her involvement extends to various education committees from PK through college, and she plays a vital role in re-engaging seniors in meaningful activities. Sandra's extensive background in education and community service, coupled with her leadership in senior care, underscores her dedication to fostering academic excellence, equity, and positive community impact. Based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Sandra Maddox is a respected leader with a passion for lifelong learning and community service, evidenced by her active engagement in various civic endeavors. 

Dr. Jana Melsheimer is the Deputy Executive Director at Region 10 ESC, a position she has held since January 2013. With over three decades in education, including 21 years as the Director of Special Programs at Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, she has significantly impacted the Dallas-Fort Worth educational landscape. Dr. Melsheimer earned her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership and Administration from Tarleton State University in 2019 and her Master of Education (MEd) from Texas Woman's University in 2002. She is actively involved in the Kappa Delta Pi honor society. With over 500 connections and a following of more than 1,300 on LinkedIn, Dr. Melsheimer is a respected leader known for her dedication to improving educational programs and administration at Region 10 ESC and beyond. 

Dr. Michael Minyard is the Principal of Barksdale Elementary, with a distinguished career in educational leadership. He earned his PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Minyard began his career teaching 4th and 6th grades in Irvine Unified School District, then moved to Texas in 2010, where he taught 1st and 6th grades in Allen ISD for eight years. In 2017, he joined Plano ISD as Assistant Principal at Wyatt Elementary School, contributing significantly to the school's community over five years. His doctoral studies, completed in 2019, underscored his commitment to lifelong learning and educational excellence. Dr. Minyard is dedicated to developing creative and innovative solutions to meet the needs of every child, fostering an environment where students can achieve their dreams and contribute positively to society. His leadership is characterized by a deep understanding of the intricacies of learning processes and a commitment to applying innovative educational strategies. As he leads Barksdale Elementary, Dr. Minyard is focused on collaboration with staff and parents to create an invigorating and progressive educational environment, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

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Dr. Matthew Post is Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and Applied Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tulsa, Honors College. He has led the development of K–12 teacher and school leader formation programs, with a specific emphasis on fostering character and principled, prudent leadership. He has founded, developed, supervised, and fundraised for programs serving education reform, including master’s and doctoral degrees in civics, character education, and educational leadership; alternative certification; a classical, character-based lab school; and professional development and curricula for K–12 teachers and schools. Dr. Post previously served as Assistant Professor of Humanities, Graduate Director of Classical Education, and Assistant Dean of the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts at the University of Dallas. His extensive experience includes roles such as Acting Director of the St. Ambrose Center for Catholic Liberal Education & Culture and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Politics and Philosophy. Internationally, he served as Assistant Dean and Lecturer of Political Philosophy at BISLA and as a Lecturer of Politics at the University of Economics, Bratislava. Dr. Post holds a Ph.D. from the Institute of Philosophic Studies at the University of Dallas. He is recognized for his contributions to educational leadership and reform, with a strong network of professional connections and a commitment to advancing character-based education. 

Dr. James Schofield received his BA in anthropology from Plymouth State University, his MA in consciousness studies from Goddard College, and his PhD from the University of Canterbury. James has designed and lectured courses for Plymouth State University since 2018 and Bentley University since 2022. His courses have covered a wide range of areas in both analytic and continental philosophy, including topics within philosophy of science, metaphysics, ethics, religion, and modern philosophy. James’ particular passion is in the metaphysics of mind and nature, which was the topic of his first book published by Palgrave: A Phenomenological Revision of E. E. Harris Dialectical Holism (2021). This work, and his more recent research has been dedicated to examining the metaphysics and philosophy of science related to contemporary phenomenology. Additionally, James has in recent years begun contributing to discussions focused upon character, virtue, and AI in the philosophy of education. 

Dr. Paul Weinhold is a leader in the classical schools revolution and currently serves as the Director of Continuing Education at Great Hearts Academies in Phoenix, Arizona. With over a decade of experience at Great Hearts, he has been instrumental in building a national framework for teacher evaluation, training, and compensation. Dr. Weinhold previously served as Headmaster, transforming school culture and achieving high academic performance. He holds a PhD and an MA in Philosophic Studies from the University of Dallas and has extensive experience in classical education, school leadership, and team building. Known for his dedication to lifelong learning, Dr. Weinhold is passionate about consulting with colleagues to foster educational excellence. He is actively involved in the ClassicalEd Review and has a robust following of over 1,600 on LinkedIn, where he shares insights on classical education and leadership.