Rymn Parsons

Why Marymount University?

Marymount offered two important things: a flexible program that afforded appreciable latitude to make the best use of my time and value. 

 
What are your long-term professional and personal goals?

More than one person has asked why I want a second terminal degree. The answer is simple: the more time I have spent in leadership positions, the more driven I am to refine my craft and lend my efforts to raising the bar of leadership acumen for all.

I have reached a stage where I would like to phase out of lawyering, although that will always be a foundational part of who I am professionally. I want to phase into leadership-focused activities: teaching, writing, coaching, mentoring, and otherwise fulfilling my purpose to "Plant the future," to use "all that I have learned and all that I will learn to cultivate a society worthy of us all, rich in its infinite variety and strong in its humanity and community."

Tell us a bit about your background.

I began my professional life as an attorney in private practice, after which I served as a Navy judge advocate, then as a civilian attorney with the Navy General Counsel, followed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where I have been a District Counsel twice and a Division Counsel once. 

What motivates you to complete an online program?

The motivation to complete an online program has been the same as when I attended law schools for my Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees. It's all about learning, exploration, discovery, and attainment of new skills. Wherever opportunity is offered to learn and grow, it should be seized in person, online, or as a hybrid experience. 

What is the biggest highlight of your online experience?

I have very much enjoyed the program, which all too soon may reach its culmination with a defense of my dissertation in practice. Best of all, I have been so grateful for and flattered by the graciousness and generosity of so many of the faculty.

I entered the program knowing what the focus of my dissertation in practice was going to be. The process of designing, constructing, and conducting a program evaluation study of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leadership development program has been every bit as fulfilling and rewarding as I had hoped. If I am very fortunate, it will be something of inconsiderable and lasting value to the Corps.