Wavell Williams is a DBA student and warrant officer in the U.S. Army, where he serves as a senior technical adviser in the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence directorate within the United States Special Operations Command. We spoke with Williams about his journey in the DBA program and the impact it has already had on his career.
What motivated you to pursue a DBA, and why did you choose Florida Tech specifically?
I actually had no intention of doing a terminal degree, but while researching for a major project at work, I realized a gap in my business knowledge, and I wanted to explore it further. I chose Florida Tech because of the incredible experience I had during my graduate studies!
What is your current research focus, and why does it matter in the real world?
I’m studying how improving data-sharing capability maturity, grounded in a dynamic capabilities’ framework, impacts speed of access and operational cost across organizational and security boundaries. It matters because we still rely on manual, network-bound approaches while sustaining multiple networks and redundant capabilities without a clear way to know if we’re actually improving access or lowering cost.
How has your experience in the Bisk College of Business challenged or changed your thinking?
Coming into the DBA program, I was focused on solving problems with specific solutions. This experience challenged me to think more critically about how to define problems, measure them and prove whether what we are doing is actually improving operational outcomes like authorized data access and cost reduction.
How do you balance work, life and a doctoral program?
Not perfectly—an old boss told me, you don’t find balance; you find harmony, and “It’ll buff out.” I try to make sure that when it’s time for each, they get my full attention.
What skills or insights have you gained that you’re already applying professionally?
As crazy as this sounds, the value of a well-crafted problem statement and logically sound argument, along with a deeper understanding of organizational behavior. These three skills have helped me communicate complex ideas in a way that resonates from senior leaders to the newest team members.
What are your career goals after completing the DBA?
I want to continue working on complex problems at a higher level and later, serve in executive roles. It sounds cliché, I get it, but this program has reshaped how I approach challenges and how I understand and work through different perspectives.
What advice would you give to someone considering a DBA at Florida Tech?
Do not let imposter syndrome and self-doubt stop you from your greatness. There are humans out there just waiting to hear your perspective. The DBA program at Florida Tech will challenge you but will also sharpen your thinking and elevate your impact.
This piece also appeared in the spring 2026 issue of The Bottom Line.
