Three NDSU doctoral students have been selected to participate in the prestigious Southern Regional Education Board program, which encourages minorities to pursue doctorates and seek academic careers in higher education.
The students include Jennifer Odom, who is studying plant pathology; Liz Cambron, a graduate student in cellular and molecular biology; and Jamin Ashley, who is studying electrical and computer engineering.
The program, which was established in 1993, is designed to help prepare graduates to become successful college or university faculty members. During its 20-year history, the program has worked with more than 1,130 doctoral scholars and 650 graduates. It provides students with multiple layers of support, including mentoring, counseling and advocacy, financial assistance, research funding, career counseling and early career support.
Doctoral Scholars Award recipients receive five years of support, including tuition and fee waivers or scholarships. For the first three years, recipients receive a $20,000 living stipend and $1,500 allowance for the program’s annual Institute on Teaching and Mentoring.
“I am more than thankful for the opportunity in being selected for the program and thankful to the NDSU staff that made this program available,” said Odom, who is from Gloucester, Virginia. “This opportunity has given me a chance to meet and network with other minority students like myself in a professional setting. The program has kept me motivated as I go forward in seeking my Ph.D., preparing me to one day become a successful faculty member.” Odom’s adviser is Julie Pasche, NDSU assistant professor of plant pathology.
“Being selected for the program means the difference of succeeding or struggling during my first year of graduate school,” said Cambron, who is from the Little Village community of south-side Chicago. “As a first-generation student and first of my family to continue my education, this program is an important tool that I can utilize towards my research, personal development and future career.” Cambron’s adviser is Kendra Greenlee, NDSU assistant professor of biological sciences.
“I would like to thank the NDSU staff for choosing me to participate in this program,” said Ashley, whose hometown is Midland, Texas. “I'm extremely grateful to be offered this opportunity to further my professional development. Seeing as this is my first semester as a graduate student, I feel this will greatly benefit my academic achievement and networking skill.” Ashley’s adviser is Samee Khan, NDSU assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.
The Southern Regional Education Board is a not-for-profit interstate compact, created under federal state to advance knowledge and improve the educational, social and economic conditions of the southeastern United States. The program’s offices are in Atlanta.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.