Participants in the 2007 WSU Summer Doctoral Fellows Program were sold on the program even before President Elson S. Floyd met with them for an hour to discuss a myriad of higher education issues. But Floyd’s follow-up invitation to a private dinner at the Lewis Alumni Center sealed the deal.
Perhaps the only one of its kind, the WSU program offers a $3,000 stipend and room and board to all-but-dissertation (ABD) doctoral students from universities across the country. This summer nine doctoral students, mostly from the East Coast and Midwest, came to WSU for six weeks to participate in professional development seminars, meet with a WSU mentor and work on their dissertations.
Julie Kmec, an assistant professor of sociology, was a mentor two years ago and this summer led a seminar on gender issues in higher education. “I had a really great mentor,” she said, “and I want to share that with anyone else I can.”
Working with a graduate student who shares her research interests is invigorating, she said. Being a summer mentor is a short-term commitment, but it can lead to a long-term relationship.
“Having access to a graduate degree is not enough,” said Carmen Lugo-Lugo, an assistant professor in the department of comparative ethnic studies. “Students need to be guided and mentored so they can obtain all the benefits of a graduate education and, finally, their degrees.”
