Bradley Rogers, a candidate in the Executive Doctorate of Business Administration (Executive DBA) program is an experienced supply-chain executive with 17 years of experience at PepsiCo. Seeking to take his education to the next level, he was drawn to the Fairfield Dolan Executive DBA program’s expert faculty guidance and the built-in support of a learning cohort.
That cohort structure, Rogers noted, has been central to his experience. The program’s flexibility and in-person residency opportunities have given him space to network and learn from his classmates, while also drawing insights from the cohort ahead of his own.
Reflecting on his decision to apply to the Executive DBA program, Rogers explained that his motivation was both personal and professional—an opportunity to push himself to new heights in his career. “Higher education challenges you to think in new and different ways,” he said.
Through the program’s in-person residencies, Rogers has found networking and learning from others in the program to be invaluable, offering perspectives that continue to shape his growth.
In choosing the Executive DBA program over a traditional PhD, Rogers considered what it means to be a “scholarly practitioner.” His goal, he explained, was to become “more valuable in the workplace by applying an academic lens to practical problems.”
Under the guidance of Jie Tao, DSc, associate professor of business analytics, Rogers is pursuing dissertation research that applies directly to the workplace. His topic explores the use of artificial intelligence in supply chain management, asking, “Which AI model architectures offer the best performance under real-world constraints in inventory projection tasks in supply chain management, and how do technological, organizational, and environmental factors influence model success?”
Rogers remains energized by his dissertation work and by the chance to both mentor and grow alongside his cohort. He said he chose Fairfield for its nationally ranked Dolan School of Business, the strength of its alumni network, and his own commitment to lifelong learning.
“If you’re considering the program, take the first step,” he advised. “The journey itself—and the incredible support at Fairfield Dolan—will help you discover the path that’s right for you. It’s challenging work, but with commitment and the right people around you, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.”
