#Fisher2019: Ed.D. Grad Says “Inclusive Education a ‘Passport’ to Excellence”

At the hooding ceremony for the doctoral candidates in St. John Fisher College’s Executive Leadership program, Dr. Cord Stone had the opportunity to address his fellow graduates. His message: “inclusive education is the passport to excellence in leadership.”

As the chief executive officer of the Buffalo, New York-based, Greater Works Collaborative, Inc., Stone has already put his doctoral degree to good use working to further expand and develop the organization’s services.

“The value of the Ed.D. education is important to me because my credentials will allow me to be included at the table as someone who is representative of cultural diversity, intersectionality, and positionality,” he says. “I will be able to use my credentials as a platform to promote change and be a voice for underserved individuals.”

Stone, who also works as the director of community impact at a nonprofit, will serve as an adjunct professor at Hilbert College in the fall, teaching organizational theory for its Master of Public Administration program.  It is likely Stone will share with students his recipe to success: one part academic education, one-part continuous growth, and one-part experience.

“Academic education provides credentials and a level of expertise,” he says. “Experience is important, as there are things that formal education will not or cannot teach. Lastly, continuous growth is equally essential as experience gets a person through life, but growth ensures progress and fulfillment.”