Naval officer, family man, doctoral student.

Redd Brown is an NCU Learner earning his Doctor of Business Administration in Management and almost half way through the DBA program.

Redd Brown is also Lt. Commander Reginald C. Brown of the U.S. Navy, now stationed in Millington, Tenn. where he is a Medical Corps Assignment Officer at Navy Personnel Command. Before his current posting he served in Falluja as Medical Planner for II Marine Expeditionary Force Forward. He had previously commanded two surgical companies and was Executive Officer of a medical task force posted to Haiti.

A native of Pacoima, Calif. who was raised in Beaumont, Texas, Brown has been in the Navy since 1982. A "Mustang"—he was an enlisted man before becoming an officer—Brown is a member of the American Academy of Medical Administrators and pursuing certification as a healthcare executive.

"Education is still a great key to unlock the door," Brown believes. Putting belief into action, he has pursued education throughout his naval career. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (1992) and a earned a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University (1995). Selected in 1998 for Naval Postgraduate School, he earned a Master of Science in Education at Old Dominion University (2000). Brown is already anticipating life after the Navy. "In the future I would like to pursue a second career," he says, "and have that career take place in the world of Academia."

"Success in a Doctorate program takes support from the entire family," Brown observes, and credits his own family — Laverne, his wife of 21 years, 18 year-old son, J.C., a graduating senior, and daughter Jessica, a high school sophomore — with his success. He also credits NCU for making it possible: "NCU provides me with a quality online education and complements my quest of succeeding as a father and Naval Officer."