Journey to the Ph.D. : how to navigate the process as African Americans / edited by Anna L. Green & LeKita V. Scott ; foreword by Brenda Jarmon.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Green, Anna L. (Anna Lucille), 1970-

Scott, LeKita V. (LeKita Vaney), 1971-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

African Americans--Education (Graduate).

African Americans.

African American graduate students--Social conditions.

African American graduate students.

Doctor of philosophy degree--United States.

Doctor of philosophy degree.

United States.

Physical Description:

xxi, 281 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Sterling, Va. : Stylus Pub., 2003.

Summary:

Whether or not you're the first in your family to embark on this journey, you are aware that you will meet barriers and prejudice, are likely to face isolation and frustration, and find few sources of support along the way. This book, by twenty-four Black scholars who "have been there," offers a guide to the formal application process and to the personal, emotional and intellectual challenges you are likely to face. The authors come from a wide range of disciplines -- from computing, education and literature to science and sociology. Although their experiences and backgrounds are as varied as they are as individuals, their richly diverse chapters cohere into a rounded guide to the issues for those who follow in their footsteps.

From questioning the reader about his or her reasons for pursuing a doctorate, offering advice on financial issues, the choice of university and doctoral program, and relocation, through the process and timetable of application, interviews, acceptance and rejection, the authors go on to describe their own journeys and the lessons they have learned. These men and women write candidly about their experiences, the strategies they used to maintain their motivation, make the transition from HBCUs to PWIs, balance family and work, make the right choices and keep focused on priorities. They discuss how to work effectively with advisors and mentors, make all-important connections with teachers and build professional and personal support networks. They recount how they dealt with tokenism, established credibility, handled racism, maintained their values and culture, and persuaded supervisors to legitimize their research interests in African American issues.

Contents:

Foreword: Life every voice: African American students surviving in higher education / Brenda Jarmon, Ph.D. ix

Part I Entrance into the Academy

1. The Paths and Opportunities to Gaining Admission to the Graduate School of Your Choice / Kamau Oginga Siwatu 2

2. Deciding if and How to Pursue Doctoral Work / Tim Wilson, Nelson Soto, Jami Joyner 22

3. "Dreams Hanging in the Air Like Smoke" A personal reflection of factors influencing enrollment and persistance in higher education / KaaVonia Hinton-Johnson, Ph.D. 30

4. Five Degrees and a Ph.D.: Positive detours along the path to the doctorate / Randal Pinkett, Ph.D. 48

Part II Adapting to the Academy

5. Balancing Act: A reflective practice / Stephen Hancock 74

6. Maintaining My Identity: Enhanced by the system, but not lost in it / Catherine Cushinberry 90

7. In the Midst of it All: A feminist perspective on science and science teaching / Felicia Moore, Ph.D. 104

8. Pressing Toward the Mark: An African American man's reflection on the doctoral process at a Predominately White Institution / Anthony Graham 122

9. Enduring the Race: A diary of my graduate years / Terrolyn Carter 136

10. "Walk Tall in the World" Reflections from a scholar of African American children's literature / Jonda McNair, Ph.D. 150

Part III Surviving the Academy

11. The Mask: A Survival Tool / Courtney Johnson, Ph.D. 168

12. A Personal Journey Toward Authenticity: Recognizing and reclaiming my origins / Lisa Watts 180

13. Making the Academy a Home for the Brave / April Peters 196

14. Choosing a Mentor and Other Lessons of the Hidden Curriculum of Graduate School / Tamara Duckworth-Warner 210

15. The Role of Mentorship in Developing African American Students and Professionals within the Academy / Tarcha Rentz 224

16. For Better or for Worse: Improving advising relationships between faculty and graduate students / James Minor, Ph.D. 238

17. The Role of Mentoring for Future Academicians / Carloyn Hopp, Ph.D., Vincent Mumford, Ph.D., Franklyn Williams 254

Conclusion: The Ph.D.: A process not a product / Anna L. Green, Ph.D. 271.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1579220789

1579220797

OCLC:

52121411