“When I was a teen, I knew nothing about anything after high school,” says Melvina Calvin-Edwards ’03/’21 Ed.D. “At high school graduation, the parent of a friend of mine gifted me with a full ride scholarship to Kankakee Community College. Thank God someone cared so much about me.”
That gift was the beginning of the educational and career adventure for Melvina — known to her students and colleagues as Dr. Mel. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, as a transfer student from Kankakee Community College (KCC), and a Doctor of Ethical Leadership (Ed.D.) degree from Olivet Nazarene University (ONU), plus a master’s degree in political and social justice studies from Governor’s State University.
In her career, Dr. Mel became a police officer with the Kankakee Police Department in 2005. In January 2025, she was promoted to the rank of sergeant, supervising 8 to 10 officers.
In 2012, she began teaching evening classes at KCC in addition to her job on the police force. “I wanted a full-time position at KCC, but I needed an advanced degree to do that,” she says. “But I was afraid. Afraid of public speaking. Afraid of being a leader.”
In 2018, she discovered the Christian-based Ed.D. degree program at ONU. “I wanted to do more for my life and my family,” she says. “My son wasn’t even a year old. I went to the interview for the program in my police uniform because I didn’t have time to change. I didn’t expect to get into the program.”
Dr. Mel was accepted into what became one of the greatest growth experiences of her life. “ONU’s program forced me to get outside of my comfort zone,” she says. “Our professors were so informative and always there for us. They pointed out what we needed to work on and the strengths we didn’t recognize in ourselves. I was always reminded that I’m not alone, that God is still there and seeing me through.”
Most important of all, Dr. Mel learned how to step outside of her fear and step into new leadership roles. ONU’s program inspired her and guided her in learning better ways to lead others. “I got the help I needed to identify what I was doing in my life and why and how to be better,” she says. “I learned what my impact in others’ lives really is. In my cohort, I learned how to collaborate and work well with people from different backgrounds and professions.”
Today, Dr. Mel is the full-time program coordinator and assistant professor of KCC’s law enforcement program in addition to teaching criminal justice classes. She is often surprised by the new leadership opportunities — including public speaking — that are coming her way. In 2024, she was a featured speaker at the Converge conference in Kankakee, and she will speak at the Live to Lead conference in 2025. She has twice received the Paragon Award from KCC and ONU. In 2023, she received the Lifestyles of Kankakee County’s Women in Business Award for workforce success.
“I want my students to see that if I can do it, they can do it,” Dr. Mel says. “My Ed.D. degree has been transformative for me. I’m seeing better ways to do things, to learn and to lead others. And I’m there for my students just like our professors were there for us in the Ed.D. program. I’m giving to others what I’ve received.”
To begin your doctoral degree journey at ONU, contact the Office of Admissions at onlineadmissions@olivet.edu or 877-465-4838.
