The Nonprofit That Helps Minority Women Earn Doctorates

EduSeed is a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., that seeks to improve the educational opportunities for disadvantaged groups. One of its projects, called SisterMentors, help women of color who are seeking doctoral degrees. By using women mentors who have gone through the process before, the program helps doctoral candidates prepare for examinations and guides them through the dissertation process.

This June five members of the SisterMentors organization completed their doctoral studies. They are:

• Fanta Aw earned a Ph.D. in sociology at American University in Washington. D.C.

• Joelle Davis Carter was awarded a doctorate in educational leadership, higher education, and international studies from the University of Maryland.

• Barbara Ceptus was awarded a Ph.D. in cultural studies at the University of California at Davis.

• Kendra Kittrell earned a doctor of science degree in physical therapy at the University Maryland at Baltimore.

• Melanie Harris was awarded a Ph.D. in marine estuarine and environmental science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Over the past 15 years, 40 minority women have been aided by the organization on their way to doctoral degrees. For more information in the program, click here.

Copyright © 2011. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.