Purpose: Structural mentoring barriers are policies, practices and cultural norms that collectively disadvantage marginalized groups and perpetuate disparities in mentoring. This study aims to better understand structural mentoring barriers at the postdoctoral training stage, which has a direct impact on faculty diversity and national efforts to…

This dissertation investigates the reasons behind the low proportion of doctoral degree holders in the global population and its potential implications. The study explores the challenges that doctoral candidates face in completing their degree, such as time constraints and research complexity, and how transformational leadership can support and…

First-generation college students (FGCS), defined as students whose parents did not earn a baccalaureate degree, encounter distinct obstacles navigating academia. Barriers faced by FGCS, including lack of financial security, lower sense of belonging, and inadequate mentorship, are often compounded by the intersection of other marginalized…

This paper reports on a study investigating the implementation of peer support groups (PSGs) for the purpose of supervisor development in higher education. The context for the study is a national doctoral programme in Norway, where PSGs were introduced as an important part of measures aimed at the development of PhD supervisors. The aim of the…

The purpose of this quantitative correlational associative study was to examine if, and to what extent, there was a significant relationship between the flourishing and technology readiness of doctoral learners across the United States. This study utilized the Well-being Theory or PERMA model and Technology Readiness Theory as the theoretical…

This essay explores the transformative concept of co-active emergence in education, where human and machine intelligence synergize to enhance learning experiences. It discusses the integration of AI in doctoral research, emphasizing collaborative efforts between humans and AI to push academic boundaries. It also addresses the challenges and…

Women face unique challenges in pursuing a doctorate, with potential barriers including Imposter Phenomenon (IP) and Multidimensional Perfectionism (MP). Intersectionality can intensify these feelings for Women of Color. Additionally, societal and organizational barriers hinder women's advancement to leadership roles, perpetuating stereotypes and…

Data show higher enrollment of international graduate students compared to undergraduates in the United States in 2022, with the trend expected to continue. Many international doctoral students pursue education in the United States, hoping to seek employment and/or employment-based permanent immigration after graduation. Through critical personal…

The problem addressed through this study is that the completion rates of doctoral programs in the United States range as low as 40%. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of higher education leaders (HELs) on their successes and challenges in increasing completion rates in their doctoral programs. The list of values…

This study sought to add to the limited existing literature regarding the experiences and challenges of first-generation doctoral students. Amidst fifteen interviews with first-generation doctoral students, who completed their doctoral degree at an R1 research institution in California, the research provided information about the journey students…

In this paper, I discuss the gendered-racialised interactional and contextual dynamics hindering the socialisation of ethnic minoritised women (EMW) within Belgian higher education. Based on in-depth interviews, I develop the concept of 'socialisation climates' to explain the key aspects that determine EMW's socialisation process. Three…

The counselor education and supervision (CES) profession is steadily growing as more doctoral students complete CES programs, including an increased number of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students; however, disparities in diversity remain within the CES profession due to faculty turnover and challenges with retaining diverse…

There are fewer doctoral degrees earned by women than men in many STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, and gender gaps in higher education pathways persist. The purpose of this action research study was to investigate and understand the experiences and persistence of women Ph.D. students in male-dominated STEM…

Women in many fields have described challenges during their doctoral work due to pregnancy and parenting, but no research has explored these issues within social work education. This cross-sectional survey describes pregnant and parenting female students' (N=75) experiences in social work doctoral education. Participants identified challenges in…

My academic leadership journey was challenged by multiple factors, ranging from underprivileged households, poor school, inadequacy of academic writing skills, heavy university loads, and full-time job responsibilities. My academic journey influenced my supervision. It was marred by delayed completion of academic projects and throughput. The…