Fighting the Uphill Ph.D. Battle

Fighting the Uphill Ph.D. Battle

Your article (see “Nurturing Ph.D.s,” Nov. 16) is right in saying that most of us will not/do not graduate because of the political climate of our universities, or in my case, department. Even now, when I am in the most important phase in my educational journey, I, along with my advisor who is a senior faculty member, have to fight tooth and nail to be allowed to teach two days and work on my dissertation the rest of the week.  This is not a privilege, as it has been given to many other graduate teaching assistants — none of whom are minorities.

I must say, I am very tired of fighting an uphill battle. I am tired of being five times as good as my peers, but not receiving any of the benefits that they receive. I hope that one day your forum could be used to bring together junior faculty of color in an effort to assist them through the process of beginning their full-time professorial careers. Thank you, Diverse. Doctoral students/candidates need you! Without your publication, our issues might never be given a voice. 

— Kimberly J. Chandler, Doctoral Candidate
Wayne State University, Detroit

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