Full Description
This guide is designed to help black students prepare for standardized tests, negotiate admissions, find a faculty mentor, choose a field of study, select the best curriculum, adjust to the campus, master technology, engage in research and publishing, secure graduate assistantships, develop a global identity, maintain black pride and self esteem, and interact with other cultural groups.
What are the models of success for black students in graduate and professional school careers? What should be expected and prepared for? What struggles lie ahead, and how have others overcome the obstacles? This guide is designed to help black students prepare for standardized tests, negotiate admissions, find a faculty mentor, choose a field of study, select the best curriculum, adjust to the campus, master technology, engage in research and publishing, secure graduate assistantships, develop a global identity, maintain black pride and self esteem, and interact with other cultural groups.
In the first section of this guide, 21 scholars offer sound, nuts-and-bolts advice on preparing for-and excelling in-graduate and professional school. In the second section, 40 scholars from varied professions share the personal experiences that led to their successes. In the third section, current students recount their problems, solutions, and overall achievements. Their essays embody the advice and information provided in previous chapters, humanizing and reinforcing the themes of the entire book. Their success may begin in theory, but their stories and accomplishments are real.
The primary audience for this guide consists of black undergraduates, black graduate students both prospective and current, deans of graduate and professional schools, graduate admissions counselors and recruiters, faculty advisors, and collegiate coaches in both predominantly black and white higher education institutions. The secondary audience includes high school students, parents, teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, and civic, community, and religious organizations.
Contents
ContentsContentsContentsForeword Carol Moseley-Braun xviiA. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Vernon L. Farmer xxiJudge Higginbotham's Legal Legacy Ronald Walters xxiiiAcknowledgments xxvIntroduction Vernon L. Farmer xxviiPART I:HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT IN GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL 11.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. 32.Negotiating Admission to Graduate and Professional Schools William E. Sedlacek, Professor of Education and Assistant Director of Counseling Center, University of Maryland-College Park 133.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 234.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 305.Choosing the Right Field of Study Dorothy V. Smith, Conrad Hilton Professor of History, Dillard University 396.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 467.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 548.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 619.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 6810.Psychosocial Adjustment to the Campus Environment Keli Drew Lockhart, Practicing Psychologist and President of the New York Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists 8211.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 9012.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 9813.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 10514.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 11015.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 11916.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 12917.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 13718.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. 14319.From Dissertation to Dollars: Successful Grant-Seeking Techniques Glenda J. Island, Coordinator for Grant Development, Grambling State University 15220.Education for Liberation: On Campus with a Purpose Molefi Kete Asante, Professor of African American Studies, Department of African American Studies, Temple University 16221.African American Parents and Student Success in Predominantly White Colleges and Universities Delores W. Scott, Vice President, Office for Student Affairs, Virginia Union University 170PART II:HOW I SUCCEEDED IN GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL AND IN MY CAREER FIELD 179Essay 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 181Essay 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. 184Essay 3:Preparing for Success in Graduate School C.O. "Brad" Bradford, Houston Police Chief 186Essay 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 189Essay 5:Graduate Student Mentoring Warren W. Buck, Chancellor, University of Washington-Bothell 192Essay 6:You Can Succeed in Mathematics Donald R. Cole, Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Professor of Mathematics, University of Mississippi 195Essay 7:Graduate School Experience: Knowledge Is Our Future Willie Curtis, Associate Professor of Political Science, United States Naval Academy 199Essay 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. 203Essay 9:The Hardest Part of Graduate Training Is Getting In James E. Dobbins, Professor of Psychology and Director of Postdoctoral Training, Wright State University 206Essay 10:Helping the African American Community through Higher Education Anthony Echols, Senior Statistical Analyst, General Motors Corporation 209Essay 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 212Essay 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 217Essay 13:Some Strategies to Help You Earn a Professional Degree Betty J. Farmer, Associate Professor of Nursing, Grambling State University 219Essay 14:Working with Cultural and Racial Groups to Develop a Global Perspective Lawanna Gunn-Williams, Professor of Psychology, Grambling State University 222Essay 15:The Art of the Vita: A Success-Building Strategy Pamela V. Hammond, Dean and Professor of Nursing, Hampton University 227Essay 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 230Essay 17:Beginning Graduate School with the Right Mind-Set Ada Harrington-Belton, Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Southern Mississippi-Hattisburg 233Essay 18:Coming Home to Success Whitney G. Harris, Director, Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action, Eastern Michigan University 237Essay 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 240Essay 20:Achieving Academic Success in Graduate School Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, President and Professor of Education, University of Maryland-Baltimore County 243Essay 21:Mentoring in the Advising Process Marilyn M. Irving, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Howard University 246Essay 22:A Whole Lot of Others Patrick O. Jefferson, Attorney-at-Law and Former Dean of Student Affairs, Dillard University 248Essay 23:Mentors, Peers, and Advisers: Key Players in Making Decisions David A. Jett, Assistant Professor of Toxicology, The Johns Hopkins Medical School 251Essay 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 254Essay 25:Graduate School Literacy and Academic Success Johnnye Jones, Vice President of the Office for Academic Affairs and Professor of Biology, Jarvis Christian College 260Essay 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 263Essay 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 268Essay 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 272Essay 29:God Should Be the Architect as You Pursue Your Academic Goals Colonel Samuel E. Mims, United States Army (Ret.) 277Essay 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 279Essay 31:The Experimental Student Alvin F. Poussaint, Faculty Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School 282Essay 32:Developing a Mentor-Mentee Relationship during Your Doctoral Studies Evelyn Shepherd-Wynn, Assistant Professor of English, Grambling State University 284Essay 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 289Essay 34:Graduate Education Is the Road to Excellence Margaret Daniels Tyler, Chief of Staff, Norfolk State University 292Essay 35:Being Persistent Helped Me to Achieve My Wings as a Navy Aviator Lieutenant Junior Grade Diallo Sikou Wallace, United States Navy 296Essay 36:A Gift to Yourself: The Doctorate Degree Neari F. Warner, Acting President and Provost, Professor of Education, Grambling State University 300Essay 37:A Producer versus Consumer Consciousness Homer B. Warren, Associate Professor of Marketing, Youngstown State University 303Essay 38:Setting the Agenda for Success Elvira M. White, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Grambling State University 306Essay 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 309Essay 40:Achieving Your Professional and Career Goals against the Odds Major Margaret Wilson, United States Army Reserve 315PART III:HOW CONTEMPORARY STUDENTS IN GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL ARE SUCCEEDING 319Essay 1:Surviving in Graduate School Even If You Have a Writing Problem Maysa Akbar, Doctoral Candidate, Clinical Psychology, Saint Louis University 321Essay 2:"A" Is for Average: On Being an Average Medical Student Camille T. Cade, Medical Student, Pediatric Anesthesia, University of Maryland School of Medicine 324Essay 3:On Being a Great Student Nicole D. Collier, Master's Candidate, Elementary Education, Florida State University 327Essay 4:Adapting to Life as Graduate Students: Getting Up to Speed on Information Technology Felicia Doswell Hope Harley Tracy Lewis Cheryl Seals, Doctoral Candidates, Computer Science, and Glenda Scales, Assistant Dean of Distance Learning, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 332Essay 5:How to Win a Seat in Medical School Jason W. Hammond, Medical Student, Orthopedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine 343Essay 6:Life after Sports: The Participant Observer Jarrett David Irons, Master's Candidate, Sports Management and Communication, The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 345Essay 7:How to Move through Your Graduate Program Successfully Jerlando F. L. Jackson, Doctoral Candidate, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Iowa State University 350Essay 8:The Key to Graduate School Success Bobby J. Jones, Master's Candidate, Business Administration, Oklahoma City University 355Essay 9:The Essentials for Graduate Success Bernadette M. Lumas, Master's Candidate, Social Psychology, Howard University 358Essay 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 361Essay 11:Some Reflections and Insights for African American Graduate Students Charles E. Osiris, Doctoral Candidate, Higher Education Administration, Florida State University 365Essay 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 368Essay 13:Don't Let Anyone Tell You That You're Not Smart Enough Tina D. Pipkin, Master's Candidate, Social Work, Florida State University 371Essay 14:Building Relationships during the Graduate Experience Craig Pooler, Program Management Analyst, Federal Trio Programs, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 374Essay 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 377Essay 16:Some Factors to Consider in Graduate School Lenward T. Seals III, Doctoral Candidate, Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology 382Essay 17:Faith without Works Is Dead Xanthe Y. Seals, Doctoral Candidate, Developmental Education, Grambling State University 384Essay 18:Some Traits of a Successful Graduate Student Lester Spence, Master's Candidate, Political Science, The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 387Essay 19:Knowing Yourself Will Enhance Your Graduate Study Leon P. Strayer, Doctoral Candidate, Higher Education Administration, Florida State University 391Essay 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 394Essay 21:Constructing Identities: The Black Graduate Experience Kerrie Cotten Williams, Doctoral Candidate, American History, New York University 400Essay 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 402Essay 23:Preparing for Graduate School: An Undergraduate's Perspective Octavia R. Daniels, English Education Major, Grambling State University 405Essay 24:Preparing for Graduate Study While in High School Jerry L. Farmer II, Criminal Justice Major, Grambling State University 407Conclusion Freeman A. Hrabowski III 409Index 413About the Editor and the Contributors 419
