Media Room

The Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) awarded its highest honor, the Graduate Recognition for Excellence, Achievement and Talent (GREAT) Award, to Debra Stewart in a March 7 ceremony on Capitol Hill. 

“I am speechless. I am very excited, honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Stewart. “I can only imagine that there are so many people who are doing great things.”

Stewart, of Laura, Ohio, was one of five honorees recognized for demonstrating excellence in outstanding academic and personal achievement. She is a PsyD candidate at University of the Rockies, an advanced institution for tomorrow’s thought leaders.

Stewart, who grew up an orphan on an Indian reservation, overcame many hurdles on her road to receiving the GREAT Award. She cites going back to college to complete her bachelor’s degree in her 50s as her greatest academic accomplishment. And, since then, she has earned Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology degrees. She is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Psychology, Educational Leadership and Health and Wellness Psychology Specialization program online at University of the Rockies.

With more than 15 years experience in the healthcare industry, Stewart is the director of wellness for the St. Leonard senior living community. She was instrumental in facilitating the

non-profit organization’s certification as the first Vital Life Community in the nation, which she calls her greatest professional achievement thus far. Stewart also teaches for Sinclair Community College, owns a company called Picture Yourself Stronger that offers corporate wellness programs to various organizations, and serves on the advisory boards of Mental Health Technology and Vital Nation.

After years of working with dementia patients, Stewart was inspired to pursue her most recent project: developing the “Learning Styles Inventory Tool” to help caregivers communicate with individuals who have dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The tool has been successfully piloted and is now in the process of being implemented at St. Leonard as part of Stewart’s dissertation for her doctorate program.

Stewart is an excellent example of how University of the Rockies helps inspired professionals become the next generation’s leaders.

About University of the Rockies

University of the Rockies is an advanced graduate institution for tomorrow’s thought leaders. The University provides an intimate and dynamic learning environment, offering highly specialized master’s and doctoral degree programs in the social and behavioral sciences, access to industry experts, campus clinical programs for practical experience, and research and publishing opportunities. University of the Rockies is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org). Small by design, University of the Rockies classes are presented in a progressive online format and at its Colorado Springs, Colorado, campus. For more information, please visit www.rockies.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 866.621.0124 x2513.