Assistant Vice President and Dean profiled by Fortune Magazine, Education Edition  

Dr. Vaughn Calhoun

On August 5, Assistant Vice President and Dean of the Center for Academic Success (CAS) Dr. Vaughn Calhoun was featured in the Education Edition of Fortune Magazine. The article, “Why I earned an Ed.D. instead of a Ph.D. in education” focused on Dr. Calhoun’s educational and professional experience and his thoughts on the differences between the terminal degrees.  Calhoun earned his B.S. in Administration of Justice from Rutgers University, where he was a full scholarship football player. He earned his M.P.A in Public Policy & Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University.

Calhoun also provided guidance to graduate students on the differences between a Ph.D. and Ed.D. in education, sharing,

…A Ph.D. essentially is research-focused; it aims to create new knowledge. But the Ed.D. is typically practitioner-focused, using existing knowledge to problem-solve contemporary issues. It’s about how we can solve a problem, as opposed to how we can create new knowledge and disseminate that new knowledge.

When asked his advice to students deciding whether to pursue an Ed.D. or a Ph.D., Calhoun expressed that students should first examine their career goals and trajectory.

…If you want to be a professor, conduct research studies, write articles, an Ed.D. would work, but a Ph.D. is more geared toward that type of training. An Ed.D. [is more] focused on the practice.

Calhoun joined Seton Hall in 2021 and serves on the senior leadership team of the Division of Student Services. His area of Academic Success focus on the Center for Academic Success (CAS), Academic Resource Center (ARC), Academic Support for Student-athletes, Career Center, ROTC, Gen1, and the Transfer Center.

Before Seton Hall, Calhoun served as the Assistant Vice President of Academic Innovation at Rowan University. He helped coordinate, develop, and implement high-quality academic programs and policies. He has extensive educational experience and has developed relationships with industry and community partners for student career development. At Becker College, he was the Chair of the Business Department at the School of Design & Technology, where he also chaired the inaugural racial diversity committee. He led the Becker business program redesign, a multi-year project in collaboration with faculty and other campus partners, and oversaw the creation of four additional bachelor degree programs (ESport Management, Emerging Media and Content Creation, Sport Management, and Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship). He is currently an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland (Global Campus) and Providence College.

One of his goals for Seton Hall is to continue raising the bar of academic achievement, to aid student persistence, retention, and graduation. His leadership style focuses on understanding organizational dynamics, breaking down silos and building out networks.

Read the full article here: https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/08/05/why-i-earned-an-ed-d-instead-of-a-ph-d-in-education/

Categories: Campus Life, Education