Home

University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies Announces 12th Annual Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit

via Business Wire

Annual virtual event features keynote speaker Dr. Trina Clayeux, CEO of Give An Hour and highlights workforce and education research by College students, faculty and alumni

University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies will hold its virtual annual research event, Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit, on October 16-18, 2025, “Exploring Scholarship, Society and Change.” The Summit is co-sponsored by the Research and Scholarship Enterprise (RSE) and the College of Doctoral Studies, offering keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops to foster a dynamic collaboration of scholar-practitioners, subject matter experts, and other thought leaders from various disciplines to critically examine how education, research, and intellectual engagement can address pressing societal challenges.

“Collaborating across disciplines and industries enriches workplace and education communities,” states Hinrich Eylers, Ph.D., P.E., vice provost, College of Doctoral Studies at University of Phoenix. “The Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit provides a space where participants will explore the transformative prospects of research, highlighting innovative approaches and opportunities for positive impact on communities where we work, learn and live.”

This year’s event features keynote speaker, Trina Clayeux, Ph.D., CEO of Give an Hour, sharing compelling insights on hope and mental health, connecting the art and science of hope, as well as the future of mental health and well-being in action. A seasoned leader in mental health advocacy and social innovation, Dr. Clayeux brings decades of experience spanning nonprofit leadership, trauma-informed practices, military family support, and workforce development. At Give an Hour, she leads national efforts to transform how individuals engage with their mental well-being—empowering communities through self-awareness, self-care, and self-advocacy.

The Summit schedule includes:

  • College of Doctoral Studies’ student presentations highlighting their own unique research and practitioner work for the first time at a professional conference.
  • 90+ speakers for the largest line up of presenters in the Summit’s history, presenting in sessions over three days on topics ranging across leadership and entrepreneurism, organizational wellness, educational technology and more.
  • Announcement of the 2025 Dissertation of the Year winners, recognizing dissertations that have stood out as exceptional for additional elements beyond what is expected and observed by their respective chairs, and nominated and judged by a committee organized by Mansureh Kebritchi, Ph.D., chair, Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR).
  • Special student-led session on longitudinal research findings from five years of the University of Phoenix Career Institute® Career Optimism Index® study.
  • Research networking with 700+ registrants enabling interdisciplinary collaboration and professional connections.
  • Digital badges for presenters that highlight their experience and role as a selected conference presenter.

The Summit proceedings are organized and directed by University research centers’ leaders Rodney Luster, Ph.D., chair, Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Research (CLER), Kimberly Underwood, Ph.D., chair, Center for Organizational Wellness, Engagement, and Belonging (CO-WEB), and Mansureh Kebritchi, Ph.D., chair, Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR).

The Summit is open to external guests, free to attend, and registration is available here.

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

Contacts