Little Rock's First Lady Receives Doctoral Degree

In a ceremony steeped in traditional ceremony at Boise State University, the esteemed ordained elder and first lady of Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church, Rev. Paula Bryant Blue was conferred with an Ed.D. This not only marks a significant milestone in her illustrious career but also stands as a testament to her unwavering dedication to God, family, education, and community.

Having received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with a Physics minor from Fayetteville State University, (NC), a Master’s in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership from the University of Memphis and a Master’s in Theology from Southern Nazarene University, Dr. Blue received the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ after having enrolled in graduate school. She had previously studied the Bible, writing detailed notes which turned into sermons. She preached her trial sermon in 2011 on her birthday.

When asked how she managed to achieve this goal while her husband, Dr. Derrill A. Blue served as a Methodist pastor, being the mother of two elementary school-age children, and following her career path as the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Dr. Blue states that she tries to be intentional in planning by “putting every single thing on my calendar.” When unexpected events happen, she “slows down, takes her time, and prays for clarity of thought.”

Her dissertation was titled “Exploring Communication, Connection, and Culture during Technology Implementation: An Autoethnography.” Having always been intrigued by technology, having trained and supported higher education faculty on the effective use of technology for teaching and learning, Dr. Blue believes that advances in technology will make learning more accessible and exciting for students, making their classroom experience more successful.

The use of technology was catapulted into our churches during the pandemic. It was both daunting and frustrating when it did not work as expected. However, Dr. Blue wants us to be reminded that “technology is just a tool to be used to achieve something that is important to us,” and we must not forget why we use it. When it does not work, stay focused on the goal and reach out for support. This will result in a “successful, positive, impactful experience with the integration of technology for ministry or anything else.”

Rev. Dr. Paula Blue’s journey is one of faith, perseverance, and the transformative power of education. Her achievements serve as an inspiration to many, illustrating that the pursuit of knowledge and the practice of faith are not mutually exclusive but are interconnected. Moving forward, she remains a guiding light, illuminating the path for others to follow with the integration of devotion to God and scholarship.