Learner Stories: Norma "Lee" Hackney

Captain, United States Navy (Retired)

When the USS Saipan deployed to the Arabian Gulf in 2002, Capt. Norma "Lee" Hackney became the first woman to command a U.S. Navy large deck amphibious assault ship in a war zone. Even while serving her country in overseas combat, Hackney was able to continue her doctoral studies at Capella University. Completing her doctoral work while serving has become even more important to Hackney as she retires and puts her PhD to work in her new career.

With the help of the Capella Career Center, Hackney is working on her resume and pursuing her second career as a university instructor. "I definitely want to do something where I'm going to make a positive difference in people's lives" she says. Her experience with online learning at Capella has broadened her teaching horizons, she says. "I'm open to anything. That's what's exciting."

After returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, Hackney continued her studies while serving as chief of staff for Commander, Amphibious Group Two—the command responsible for keeping East Coast amphibious squadrons, ships, and supporting elements manned, trained, and ready for deployment. In 2004, she earned her PhD in organization and management with a specialization in leadership from Capella's School of Business and Technology.

Hackney also encouraged members of her crew to take advantage of online education. "Continual learning allows an individual to think profoundly, act effectively, and contribute freely to society," she says. "To stay on the leading edge, individuals need to continuously seek out opportunities to learn. To show my crew it could be done, I took the challenge myself."

As someone who has both studied leadership and exercised leadership in crucial situations, she says "If the senior leadership wants to make something work, then they have to get personally involved." Hackney will be getting personally involved by teaching the next generation of leaders.