Air Force Chaplain Finds His Fit in UC’s Doctorate of Executive Leadership Program

CHARLESTON, WV, August 28, 2025 — Air Force Chaplain Jerry St. Pierre wasn’t planning to return to the classroom. Thirteen years after finishing his last degree, he was focused on serving his country—not searching for another credential.

But curiosity has a way of opening doors. What began as a passing thought became a months-long mission to find the right doctoral program—one that would challenge him, support him, and fit his busy life as an active-duty service member.

“I searched across the country, and I didn’t find another program like this,” he said. “There were one or two that came close—but the more I looked, the more the UC program kept rising to the top. It stood out in every category that mattered.”

St. Pierre compared programs coast to coast, evaluating everything from structure to student experience. He wasn’t looking for prestige or price tags—he was searching for the things he valued most: meaningful interaction, personal connection, and academic environments built for real-world leaders.

“I didn’t want to just get the title of doctor,” he said. “I could have taken an easier, less expensive path to that. My goal was to find a community of scholars, where I could grow to become something greater because I was part of that community.”

The University of Charleston’s Doctorate of Executive Leadership (DEL) program had what he was seeking. What set it apart was its cohort model and synchronous online structure, which offered the closest thing to an in-residence experience without being on campus full time.

“I want to be in a space where I can engage with other minds on the topic at hand and refine my thinking,” St. Pierre explained. “UC has made that possible.”

That real-time connection made all the difference. From his first conversation with UC, St. Pierre felt welcomed, challenged, and supported.

“I talked to people. I didn’t just leave a message and wait for a call back. I talked to professors. I talked to students. The vibe I got was that we’re in this experience together. I loved that feeling.”

Now based in Texas and still serving active duty, St. Pierre said UC has delivered something that most programs only promise: a rigorous, collaborative, and deeply human approach to leadership education.

“They’ve really closed the gap between what you’d get in a physical classroom and an online experience,” he said. “It’s online—but it’s not alone. Once I found UC, I knew it was the right fit.”