Paulette Jones '26 Uses Her Education Doctorate at a Surprising Place: the IRS

Meet Paulette Jones, Ed.D. '26

Job Title & Employer: Management and Program Analyst, Internal Revenue Service
Majors/Programs: Leadership and Administration-Ed.D., MBA, Criminal Justice
Graduation: May 2026
Hometown: Irvington, N.J.
Now Living In: Cleveland, Ohio
Dream Job: In my dreams, I do not see myself working a traditional job. I believe my calling has always been to help others, either through mentoring or advising. I also see myself running a beachside coffee shop in either Panama or Costa Rica in the next five years.
Hobbies & Interests: Overthinking and reading non-fiction books.

"In my role, I evaluate programs, improve processes and advise leadership on organizational decisions. The doctoral coursework strengthened my skills in research, data-driven decision-making, organizational leadership and policy analysis, all of which I use daily. This degree also allows me to teach and train within the federal government."

Paulette Jones, Ed.D. '26

Paulette Jones, Ed.D. was a student at Point Park University for twelve years as she steadily worked her way through three degrees — a Bachelor of Criminal Justice, a Master of Business Administration, and finally, the Doctor of Education in Leadership and Administration — all while working full-time and raising a family.

Originally from New Jersey, Jones came to Pittsburgh for her job at the Internal Revenue Service, where she's worked since she was 18 years old. Her job brought her to the federal building Downtown, and when Jones was looking for a way to get her bachelor's, she knew Point Park was the best choice — she could walk from work to campus for her classes.

Once she got her bachelor's, she wanted to continue her education. "As soon as I graduated with the B.S., I registered for master's classes the following week," Jones said. Then she finished the MBA. "I did that and said, 'I'm just going to keep going.'"

Jones has worked for the IRS her entire career, yet was able to make a doctorate in education work for her. For her dissertation, she chose to study parasocial relationships and collective harm in toxic fandoms — in other words, when groups of people who are fans of the same person or thing become abusive to one another online. Jones made the case to her education professors that this topic applied to K-12 students because of how much time they now spend online.

Because the Ed.D. classes didn't solely focus on how to lead in a K-12 setting, Jones has been able to apply what she's learned in her role in the IRS.

“In managerial positions, I've been able to use what I've learned and then be an effective leader,” Jones said. “The professors talk about cultural leaders, ethical leaders, different types of leaders, and you go over each and every one of them. And then you determine, this is what the type of a visionary leader would do. This is what an ethical leader would do. So it's really leadership overall.”

Learn more about Jones' journey in the Q&A below.

Why did you choose Point Park for all three of your degrees?

I initially chose Point Park because of its proximity to my workplace. I needed to access campus by public transportation or on foot, as I initially had no car. Once enrolled, I appreciated the small class size and class options. I especially appreciated that all my professors had real-world experience in the subject they taught. For example, my B.S. is in criminal justice. Many of my professors were either active or retired police officers or lawyers. It makes a huge difference. When it came time to choose a school for my master’s and doctorate, it was a no-brainer to stick with Point Park.

What faculty members in the doctoral program had an impact on you?

The one person who made the biggest impact on me throughout my doctoral journey was Elizabeth Ehrlich, Ed.D., who served as a “mother hen” of sorts. As cohort members, we met with her as a group and individually once a week. She made herself available at any day or time, even on weekends. We also shared aspects of our personal lives that affected our academic writing.

You’re not an educator by profession, so how does the Ed.D. in leadership and administration fit in with your career?

While I’m not an educator by profession, my Ed.D. in leadership and administration fits directly into my work as a management and program analyst for the Internal Revenue Service. In my role, I evaluate programs, improve processes and advise leadership on organizational decisions. The doctoral coursework strengthened my skills in research, data-driven decision-making, organizational leadership and policy analysis, all of which I use daily. This degree also allows me to teach and train within the federal government. I am a certified classroom instructor, and the degree deepened my understanding of how adults learn and how to develop others. Finally, it has broadened my opportunities for advancement. After 37 years of federal service, I wanted to keep growing, and this degree made that possible.

What advice would you have for those considering getting their Ed.D.?

My advice to anyone thinking of pursuing an Ed.D. is to: 1) choose Point Park and 2) just start. Point Park offers a two-year and a three-year track. The program is incredibly flexible. Once you’ve made the decision, just dig in and do it.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I completed my bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees while working full-time and raising four school-aged children, thanks to the flexibility of Point Park’s schedule, the faculty's understanding and attention, and the support of my beloved cohort.

Paulette Jones '26 Uses Her Education Doctorate at a Surprising Place: the IRS Alumni Profile