The older you get, the harder it is to complete an advanced degree.

Ashley Christina Goodwin has broken new ground by being the first African-American and woman to complete the University of the Virgin Islands first ever Ph.D. program. The Ph.D. program for Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. This year, Goodwin brought home her brand-spanking new degree.

As a native of western New York, Goodwin has obtained most of her degrees in Buffalo. She has dedicated a number of years working on behalf of black people as part of the African Diaspora Project.

An Instagram profile that highlights the achievements of black women with doctorate degrees says Goodwin is the first in black woman in her hometown to receive a doctorate.

"Dr. Goodwin is a first generation scholar who received the first terminal degree in her bloodline and the first African American woman to receive a doctorate degree in her hometown," the post stated.

It is even more fitting she obtained the degree at the University of the Virgin Islands, a historically black college and university.

She plans to use her degree to improve diversity in high-profile companies. Currently, Goodwin works for The Maverick Agency as a chief executive consultant.

Dr. Ashley Christina Goodwin is the first African-American and Woman to be hooded as a part of the University of the Virgin Islands first ever Ph.D. program which is also the only Ph.D. program in existence in the world with this focus area – Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change. UVI is an HBCU! Dr. Goodwin is a first generation scholar who received the first terminal degree in her bloodline and the first African American woman to receive a doctorate degree in her hometown. Her research focuses on Cognitive Diversity Appreciation and she plans to work with corporations to develop their teams and train them in creative diversity. Dr. Goodwin is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated where she strives to emulate Greater Service, Greater Progress! ???????? #SigmaGammaRho #BlackWomen #blackphds #BlackDoctors #BlackWomenMagic #BlackGirlMagic #BlackScholars #BlackScholarsMatter #BlackGradsMatter #BlackGirlMagicInMotion #thisiswhatadoctorlookslike #BlackWoman #blackwomanhood #UVI #UniversityoftheVirginIslands #HBCU

A post shared by BlackWomenPhDs (@blackwomenphds) on Jun 29, 2018 at 9:14pm PDT

Dr. Ashley Christina Goodwin

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