Community is Curriculum: Rethinking Doctoral Education Through Virtual Connection
By Donovan Forrest
In most doctoral programs, rigorous coursework, demanding research timelines, and high expectations are the norm. But what’s often missing from syllabi and degree plans is something equally vital: community.Doctoral students are some of the most passionate, driven individuals in education—but far too many navigate their journeys in isolation. What if that didn’t have to be the case? What if every doctoral class prioritized community-building as intentionally as it does content mastery?
Why Every Doctoral Class Should Include a Virtual Community Meetup
Let’s imagine a simple shift. At least once during each course, students host a virtual community meet-up—a space not for grades or assignments, but for connection, support, and shared experience.This doesn’t mean more work. It means better support. A single, well-facilitated meet-up can foster belonging, spark collaboration, and remind students that they are part of something bigger than themselves.Whether it’s a structured dialogue, a casual coffee chat, or a themed roundtable, the goal is the same: to create space for authentic connection within the academic journey.
Building Belonging in Doctoral Programs: One Virtual Meet-Up at a Time
As the founder of The EdD Project, I’ve seen firsthand how community can be a lifeline in doctoral education. Our "Impact Circles"—small, mentor-led virtual groups—have become a cornerstone for many scholar-practitioners navigating their programs. We don’t just talk about leadership, equity, or transformation—we live it, together.These circles aren’t just optional add-ons. They are essential infrastructure for persistence, confidence, and wellness.Imagine if every course embedded this principle. Doctoral education would shift from a siloed experience to a collaborative, empowering one.
What We Gain When We Make Room for Each Other
When students are invited to bring their whole selves into community, magic happens. They:
- Speak more freely
- Ask deeper questions
- Offer each other accountability and grace
- Begin to see themselves not just as students—but as scholars, leaders, and change-makers
That’s not just community. That’s curriculum.
A Call to Action for Faculty and Programs
If you teach or design EdD or PhD programs, consider this your nudge: incorporate a virtual community meet-up into your course design. Encourage students to lead it. Let it evolve.If you’re a doctoral student, don’t wait for permission. Reach out to your classmates. Set up a time. See what happens.Doctoral education doesn't have to be isolating. We can rewrite the script.Because in this new era of education, community isn’t just nice to have.Community is curriculum.