Several students in Newman University’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program are stepping out of the classroom and into teaching roles, sharing their real-world expertise with Master of Business Administration (MBA) and undergraduate students at Newman and beyond.
There have been four DBA cohorts so far, with a fifth beginning in fall 2025.
‘No one is left behind’
Rachel Mayberry, a member of the first DBA cohort that started three and a half years ago, says the program is her favorite academic experience to date.
As one of Mayberry’s professors was within earshot, she quietly said, “This is not me sucking up. I promise.”
“This has been my favorite program out of my bachelor’s or master’s,” Mayberry said. “Because it’s cohort-based, you get to know your cohort really well, and I am much closer to the people in my cohort here than I have ever been in any of my programs.”
Mayberry calls her cohort the “natural cheerleading section” and loves that everyone is in it together, saying, “No one is left behind.”
‘You can never stop learning’
DBA students Terri Rice and Candace Davis may be familiar faces to the Newman community, as Rice and Davis have both had roles at the university for some time.
Rice, an adjunct professor, has taught graduate and undergraduate students about the corporate marketing world, drawing from her years of experience in the industry.
“As a second career goal, I wanted to finish up in the corporate sector and transfer over to academia,” Rice said. “The beautiful thing about it is that I can apply a lot of applied learning to the students.”
The DBA program has taught Rice humility, she said.
“At the corporate level, I have a wealth of experience in the community and learned from some of the smartest people I know,” Rice said. “The DBA program has taught me that there is a lot I do not know. You can never stop learning.”
‘Everyone feels like a family’
Davis, who has been in education for 24 years, is the advanced standing coordinator for Academic Affairs and has been at Newman since 2021. When it was time for her to take the next step in her career, Davis knew she needed a program that would allow her to have a work-life balance.
“I did not want to go to a program where I’d have to pull my hair out,” Davis said. “I wanted to go to one where they understood I work, I have a life, I do things.”
Davis echoed the same sentiments as the other DBA students, mentioning how everyone in her cohort feels like a family.
“We’re all in the same place after all,” Davis said. “You learn the strengths and weaknesses of each other and help one another.”
‘One step at a time’
Another member of the DBA program’s first cohort was previously the executive vice president of an S&P 500 company with more than 30 years of experience in sales and marketing.
Derrek Schartz wanted to make a change for the next phase of his life, so he decided to become a college professor — a role he now holds at Texas State University. There, he runs an internship program and teaches sales courses.
“I have had a great, smart experience,” Schartz said. “I’ve learned as much from the people in the cohort as I have in many ways from the professors.”
His secret to success is time management, he said.
“It’s all about taking one step at a time and trying your best not to get overwhelmed,” Schartz said.
Advice for future DBA students
For students considering the DBA program, Davis puts it best — and bluntly.
“Do it afraid. You’re going to be afraid. It’s very fearful. You’re afraid you don’t want to fail, don’t want to fall on your face,” Davis said.
“Do it anyway. Because you know what? They’re going to stand behind you. We were not thrown into this, we were prepared to do what we need to.”
Level up with Newman University’s Doctor of Business Administration program
The Newman DBA degree program provides experienced professionals and academics with advanced skills and credentials in business beyond the MBA.
