The Black Student's Guide to Graduate and Professional School Success

Foreword Carol Moseley-Braun......Page 18
A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Vernon L. Farmer......Page 22
Judge Higginbotham’s Legal Legacy Ronald Walters......Page 24
Acknowledgments......Page 26
Introduction Vernon L. Farmer......Page 28
PART I: HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT IN GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL......Page 32
1. Making Sure You Have the “Right Stuff” to Be Successful in Graduate and Professional School Anne Pruitt-Logan, Scholar-in-Residence, Council of Graduate Schools, Washington, D.C.......Page 34
2. Negotiating Admission to Graduate and Professional Schools William E. Sedlacek, Professor of Education and Assistant Director of Counseling Center, University of Maryland–College Park......Page 44
3. Graduate School Admission in the Era of Hopwood Elizabeth K. Davenport, Assistant Professor of Education and Coordinator of Center for the Professional Development of Teachers, Texas A&M–Kingsville......Page 54
4. What It Takes to Be Successful on Standardized Tests: GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT Brenda Jarmon, Associate Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work, Florida A&M University......Page 61
5. Choosing the Right Field of Study Dorothy V. Smith, Conrad Hilton Professor of History, Dillard University......Page 70
6. Study Habits and Techniques: When and How to Study for Maximum Effect Lisa Pertillar Brevard, Dean of Humanities and Associate Professor of English and African World Studies, Division of Humanities, Dillard University......Page 77
7. Toward a Paradigm Shift: Adjusting to Technology Carlous Caple, Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University......Page 85
8. Establishing a Coalition for the Utilization of Learning Skills: Black Students Using Cooperation to Achieve Academic Excellence William C. Collins, Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of Comprehensive Studies, The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor......Page 92
9. Finding a Faculty Mentor to Help Guide You through the Doctoral Process Vernon L. Farmer, Acting Assistant Vice President, Academic Affairs, and Graduate Dean, Professor of Education, Grambling State University......Page 99
10. Psychosocial Adjustment to the Campus Environment Keli Drew Lockhart, Practicing Psychologist and President of the New York Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists......Page 113
11. Maintaining Black Pride, Self-Esteem, and Self-Concept Hakim Rashid, Associate Professor of Education and Psychoeducational Studies, Department of Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies, Howard University......Page 121
12. Developing a Global Identity among Black American, Black African, and Black Caribbean Students Wilton A. Barham, Professor and Head of the Department of Educational Leadership, Grambling State University......Page 129
13. Competencies for Developing an African American Scholar: The Community of Scholars Model Lee Jones, Associate Dean of the College of Education and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Department of Educational Leadership, Florida State University......Page 136
14. Utilizing Internships and Teaching and Research Assistantships to Enhance Learning Ernesta P. Pendleton, Program Analyst, Office of Academic Affairs, Division of Academic Programs and Research, University of the District of Columbia......Page 141
15. Promoting Scholarly Writing and Publishing to Enhance the Scholarship of Black Graduate Students Evelyn Shepherd-Wynn, Assistant Professor of English, Department of English, Grambling State University......Page 150
16. Preparing for a Career after Professional Sports: Pursuing a Graduate Degree C. Keith Harrison, Associate Professor of Sports Management and Communications, Department of Sports Management and Communications, The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor......Page 160
17. The Career Hunt: Putting It All Together and Marketing Yourself for a Major Role in the Workforce Barbara J. Holmes, Associate Professor of Communication, Department of Communication, University of Colorado–Denver......Page 168
18. Learn to Learn the Joy of Work: The Dignity of Honest Work . . . Honorably Done! Lawrence F. Davenport, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, United States House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.......Page 174
19. From Dissertation to Dollars: Successful Grant-Seeking Techniques Glenda J. Island, Coordinator for Grant Development, Grambling State University......Page 183
20. Education for Liberation: On Campus with a Purpose Molefi Kete Asante, Professor of African American Studies, Department of African American Studies, Temple University......Page 193
21. African American Parents and Student Success in Predominantly White Colleges and Universities Delores W. Scott, Vice President, Office for Student Affairs, Virginia Union University......Page 201
PART II: HOW I SUCCEEDED IN GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL AND IN MY CAREER FIELD......Page 210
Essay 1: Graduate School to a Profession: A Journey of Maturation James A. Anderson, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and Professor of Counselor Education, North Carolina State University......Page 212
Essay 2: Education Is Just the Beginning: Professional Relationships Are Key to Success Lieutenant General Joe N. Ballard, Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.......Page 215
Essay 3: Preparing for Success in Graduate School C.O. “Brad” Bradford, Houston Police Chief......Page 217
Essay 4: “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around”: The Value of the Journey Lisa Pertillar Brevard, Dean of Humanities and Associate Professor of English and African World Studies, Dillard University......Page 220
Essay 5: Graduate Student Mentoring Warren W. Buck, Chancellor, University of Washington–Bothell......Page 223
Essay 6: You Can Succeed in Mathematics Donald R. Cole, Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Professor of Mathematics, University of Mississippi......Page 226
Essay 7: Graduate School Experience: Knowledge Is Our Future Willie Curtis, Associate Professor of Political Science, United States Naval Academy......Page 230
Essay 8: The “Old Man” and the Defining Moment That Changed My Life! Lawrence F. Davenport, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, United States House of Representatives, Washington D.C.......Page 234
Essay 9: The Hardest Part of Graduate Training Is Getting In James E. Dobbins, Professor of Psychology and Director of Postdoctoral Training, Wright State University......Page 237
Essay 10: Helping the African American Community through Higher Education Anthony Echols, Senior Statistical Analyst, General Motors Corporation......Page 240
Essay 11: Vision, Determination, Self-Leadership, and Time Management: Harbingers and Purveyors of Academic Success Martin O. Edu, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Program in Mass Communication, Grambling State University......Page 243
Essay 12: Using Networking, Role Models, and Mentoring En Route to Success Charles J. Elmore, Professor and Head of the Department of Mass Communications, Savannah State University......Page 248
Essay 13: Some Strategies to Help You Earn a Professional Degree Betty J. Farmer, Associate Professor of Nursing, Grambling State University......Page 250
Essay 14: Working with Cultural and Racial Groups to Develop a Global Perspective Lawanna Gunn-Williams, Professor of Psychology, Grambling State University......Page 253
Essay 15: The Art of the Vita: A Success-Building Strategy Pamela V. Hammond, Dean and Professor of Nursing, Hampton University......Page 258
Essay 16: The Significance of Obtaining a Graduate or Professional School Degree: Becoming Part of the Solution . . . to an Academia Problem S. Keith Hargrove, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Tuskegee University......Page 261
Essay 17: Beginning Graduate School with the Right Mind-Set Ada Harrington-Belton, Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Southern Mississippi–Hattisburg......Page 264
Essay 18: Coming Home to Success Whitney G. Harris, Director, Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action, Eastern Michigan University......Page 268
Essay 19: Make a Place for Yourself Now That You Have Obtained a Graduate Degree Barbara J. Holmes, Associate Professor of Communication, University of Colorado–Denver......Page 271
Essay 20: Achieving Academic Success in Graduate School Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, President and Professor of Education, University of Maryland–Baltimore County......Page 274
Essay 21: Mentoring in the Advising Process Marilyn M. Irving, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Howard University......Page 277
Essay 22: A Whole Lot of Others Patrick O. Jefferson, Attorney-at-Law and Former Dean of Student Affairs, Dillard University......Page 279
Essay 23: Mentors, Peers, and Advisers: Key Players in Making Decisions David A. Jett, Assistant Professor of Toxicology, The Johns Hopkins Medical School......Page 282
Essay 24: Mentoring Strategies: A Report Card for Faculty Irene H. Johnson, Interim Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Professor of Counseling, Alcorn State University......Page 285
Essay 25: Graduate School Literacy and Academic Success Johnnye Jones, Vice President of the Office for Academic Affairs and Professor of Biology, Jarvis Christian College......Page 291
Essay 26: Pursuing an Urban Planning Degree in Graduate School Linda Lacey, Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Professor of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina......Page 294
Essay 27: Graduate and Professional School Success: The S.I.M.P.L.E. Approach Octavia Madison-Colmore, Assistant Professor of Counselor Education, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University......Page 299
Essay 28: Reflection and Introspection: Black Graduate Students at a Predominantly White Institution Pauline E. “Polly” McLean, Associate Professor of Media Studies, University of Colorado–Boulder......Page 303
Essay 29: God Should Be the Architect as You Pursue Your Academic Goals Colonel Samuel E. Mims, United States Army (Ret.)......Page 308
Essay 30: Self-Awareness: An Important Attribute for Graduate School Success Clifton A. Poodry, Director of Minority Opportunities in Research, Department of Health and Human Resources, National Institutes of Health......Page 310
Essay 31: The Experimental Student Alvin F. Poussaint, Faculty Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School......Page 313
Essay 32: Developing a Mentor-Mentee Relationship during Your Doctoral Studies Evelyn Shepherd-Wynn, Assistant Professor of English, Grambling State University......Page 315
Essay 33: How to Be Successful in Graduate School Sandra L. Terrell, Associate Dean of Robert B. Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and Professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of North Texas......Page 320
Essay 34: Graduate Education Is the Road to Excellence Margaret Daniels Tyler, Chief of Staff, Norfolk State University......Page 323
Essay 35: Being Persistent Helped Me to Achieve My Wings as a Navy Aviator Lieutenant Junior Grade Diallo Sikou Wallace, United States Navy......Page 327
Essay 36: A Gift to Yourself: The Doctorate Degree Neari F. Warner, Acting President and Provost, Professor of Education, Grambling State University......Page 331
Essay 37: A Producer versus Consumer Consciousness Homer B. Warren, Associate Professor of Marketing, Youngstown State University......Page 334
Essay 38: Setting the Agenda for Success Elvira M. White, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Grambling State University......Page 337
Essay 39: How to Be Successful as a Full-Time Law Student While Working Full Time as a Police Officer Bruce D. Williams, Attorney-at-Law and Houston Police Lieutenant......Page 340
Essay 40: Achieving Your Professional and Career Goals against the Odds Major Margaret Wilson, United States Army Reserve......Page 346
PART III: HOW CONTEMPORARY STUDENTS IN GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL ARE SUCCEEDING......Page 350
Essay 1: Surviving in Graduate School Even If You Have a Writing Problem Maysa Akbar, Doctoral Candidate, Clinical Psychology, Saint Louis University......Page 352
Essay 2: “A” Is for Average: On Being an Average Medical Student Camille T. Cade, Medical Student, Pediatric Anesthesia, University of Maryland School of Medicine......Page 355
Essay 3: On Being a Great Student Nicole D. Collier, Master’s Candidate, Elementary Education, Florida State University......Page 358
Essay 4: Adapting to Life as Graduate Students: Getting Up to Speed on Information Technology Felicia Doswell, Hope Harley, Tracy Lewis, and Cheryl Seals, Doctoral Candidates, Computer Science, and Glenda Scales, Assistant Dean of Distance Learning, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University......Page 363
Essay 5: How to Win a Seat in Medical School Jason W. Hammond, Medical Student, Orthopedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine......Page 374
Essay 6: Life after Sports: The Participant Observer Jarrett David Irons, Master’s Candidate, Sports Management and Communication, The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor......Page 376
Essay 7: How to Move through Your Graduate Program Successfully Jerlando F. L. Jackson, Doctoral Candidate, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Iowa State University......Page 381
Essay 8: The Key to Graduate School Success Bobby J. Jones, Master’s Candidate, Business Administration, Oklahoma City University......Page 386
Essay 9: The Essentials for Graduate Success Bernadette M. Lumas, Master’s Candidate, Social Psychology, Howard University......Page 389
Essay 10: Predominantly Black to Predominantly White: Making the Transition to Graduate School James L. Moore III, Doctoral Candidate, Counselor Education, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University......Page 392
Essay 11: Some Reflections and Insights for African American Graduate Students Charles E. Osiris, Doctoral Candidate, Higher Education Administration, Florida State University......Page 396
Essay 12: Lessons Learned That Were Vital to My Success as a Doctoral Student Miriam E. Phields, Doctoral Candidate, Counseling Psychology, University of Maryland–College Park......Page 399
Essay 13: Don’t Let Anyone Tell You That You’re Not Smart Enough Tina D. Pipkin, Master’s Candidate, Social Work, Florida State University......Page 402
Essay 14: Building Relationships during the Graduate Experience Craig Pooler, Program Management Analyst, Federal Trio Programs, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.......Page 405
Essay 15: Prescription for Persistence: What Graduate Students Need to Know Rodney B. Pulliam, Doctoral Candidate, Public Administration and Policy, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University......Page 408
Essay 16: Some Factors to Consider in Graduate School Lenward T. Seals Ill, Doctoral Candidate, Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology......Page 413
Essay 17: Faith without Works Is Dead Xanthe Y. Seals, Doctoral Candidate, Developmental Education, Grambling State University......Page 415
Essay 18: Some Traits of a Successful Graduate Student Lester Spence, Master’s Candidate, Political Science, The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor......Page 418
Essay 19: Knowing Yourself Will Enhance Your Graduate Study Leon P. Strayer, Doctoral Candidate, Higher Education Administration, Florida State University......Page 422
Essay 20: Hard Times: Traveling on the “D” Train Day to Day, Dreaming of Life as a Ph.D. Scyatta A. Wallace, Master’s Candidate, Developmental Psychology, Fordham University......Page 425
Essay 21: Constructing Identities: The Black Graduate Experience Kerrie Cotten Williams, Doctoral Candidate, American History, New York University......Page 431
Essay 22: Making the Right Decisions in High School Can Enhance Your Chances for Success as an Undergraduate and Graduate Student Tomeka K. Brown, Computer Technology Major, Grambling State University......Page 433
Essay 23: Preparing for Graduate School: An Undergraduate’s Perspective Octavia R. Daniels, English Education Major, Grambling State University......Page 436
Essay 24: Preparing for Graduate Study While in High School Jerry L. Farmer II, Criminal Justice Major, Grambling State University......Page 438
Conclusion Freeman A. Hrabowski III......Page 440
Index......Page 444
About the Editor and the Contributors......Page 450