Brad Boyd’s career is heating up, and he says he owes it all to Friends University.

The 2010 graduate from the Organizational Management and Leadership (OML) program serves as the division chief of the Wichita Fire Department.

“For me, there is no doubt that OML played a big part in my career advancement,” Boyd said. “I believe it provided skills and knowledge that assisted me throughout the promotional process. Friends’ Organizational Management and Leadership is key to career success. Without the OML education, I would not be a division chief today.”

While an OML degree might not be the first education path that comes to mind when one thinks about his profession, Boyd said the educational skills he acquired are essential for those with fire-service aspirations.

“For young women and men who are looking to advance their careers in the fire service, the OML program is a must,” he said. “The fire service is a very technical career, but someone has to step up and manage the department. OML provides the theories and techniques that I believe all director and managers need to be successful. The exciting thing about the Friends OML program is that you can use what you learn as you learn it.”

When Boyd, a busy adult with a 3-year-old at home, chose Friends University, he found the program and the University to be a perfect fit for his life.

“I chose Friends because I felt that as a returning adult, the program fit my family structure and the personal attention provided by Friends staff would enhance my education. The OML program was a natural fit with my career,” Boyd said.

His education applied directly to his career, Boyd said, allowing him to immediately use what he learned in the classroom in the fire department.

“The Friends experience allowed me to see that I could perform at a higher level in my career,” he said. “Because the OML program course design directly follows and relates to current issues, I couldn’t wait to return to work and utilize techniques and apply theories I had learned.”

Next on his agenda, Boyd intends to pursue an advanced degree.

“Educationally, a master’s degree in organizational development would be the next step for me,” he said. “Career advancement is a goal that I set for myself, and I will continue to pursue that.”