If the “best” applicants to your grad program are the ones whose records resemble a postdoc or faculty candidate… better check yourself. 3 reasons why: 1. Wanting students with the skills and experiences that PhD programs exist to provide can be a red flag for a program’s commitment to the educational mission of doctoral education. Though there are parallels, admissions needs to look different than hiring.

Proudly sharing highlights from the 5 dissertations on equity issues in higher education that I've had the privilege of chairing or supporting this summer. Congrats to Doctors @heykmart @SteveD1914 @AirealeJoi @DeborahS_phd & Theresa Hernandez! (1/7) Dr. Kamaria Porter @heykmart examined barriers to Black women reporting sexual assault. She finds survivors often regard Title IX & other reporting processes w the same cynicism they regard the law. Some feel obligated to protect Black men from an overly punitive justice system.

Grad student advisors: Your mentees lives & work are changing in real time, & concerns affecting their wellbeing may be layered. Some are stressed, others are ok and have emotional bandwidth for peer mentoring. Consider check-in’s with each to discuss several things:
1/7 💵Basic needs
Conferences are cancelled, and money has been spent for them that may not be easily reimbursed. Some students make ends meet w side gigs that may have been cancelled. All of this falls in the middle of debates about grad students’ cost of living. Have the talk.
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It’s grad admissions deliberation time. Here, I offer a few suggestions from my research for constructive, candid discussion that can advance equity goals directly and/or create a healthy group dynamic around controversial matters: 1/n
@InclusiveGradEd @GradEdEquity 🗣Consider setting a short list of discussion guidelines eg
-Listen actively
-Avoid interrupting
-Pay attention to how much sonic space you are occupying
-Disagreement is not a problem.
-Manage disagreements with care for both the question at hand & the people involved.
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