The Faculty Mentor's Wisdom: Conceptualizing, Writing, and Defending the Dissertation

(Paperback)

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This book focuses on using faculty mentoring to empower doctoral students to successfully complete their doctoral studies. The book is a collection of mentoring chapters showcasing professors and dissertation advisors from the most prestigious universities in the United States. They provide an extraordinary range of mentoring advice that speaks directly to the doctoral student. Each chapter addresses a professional or personal component of the doctoral process that represents how these exceptional faculty best mentor their doctoral students. Faculty contributions exemplify diverse perspectives of mentoring: (a) Some faculty are direct and forthright, pointing the mentee toward his/her destination; (b) some faculty share personal experiences-offering mentoring advice from the perspective of someone who traveled a similar path; and (c) some faculty structure a dialogue between the faculty as mentor and you as the doctoral student. In all cases, they open possibilities for achieving success in doctoral studies.
Students discover clues to follow during their doctoral journey. Whether the student is just beginning to think about entering a doctoral program, presently taking course studies, under stress, and doesn't know what the future offers, this is an ideal book because it maps the entire doctoral process.

Reviews

The successful defense of a doctoral dissertation ranks as one of the milestone experiences in a professional lifetime. A large part of it being a successful milestone is determined by how prepared and supported the researcher is during the process. The Faculty Mentor's Wisdom: Conceptualizing, Writing, and Defending the Dissertation is a step-by-step guide of the information needed for a successful dissertation outcome. Rich and meaningful advice and guidance from over 30 professors makes this book a "must have" companion for both the student and new dissertation advisor. -- Ric A. Hovda, dean and professor, College of Education, San Diego State University
Writing the dissertation is a bit like test-taking, it requires not only mastery of content but skills and "smarts" to negotiate the process. For doctoral candidates and mentor faculty seeking insights/advice on negotiating this culminating doctoral study requirement, the authors have put together an inspiring resource. Both should find information and reassurance on successfully writing or assisting candidates on how to complete this mark of doctoral distinction. -- Jon M. Engelhardt, dean, School of Education, Baylor University
This book captures the wisdom and advice of well-known professors who have guided countless numbers of students through their dissertation studies. Throughout the book, common themes and practical suggestions emerge. Students who heed the advice provided will be well served and will find that the road to completing their dissertation research is not as treacherous as they once thought. -- Gail T. Schneider, Associate Dean - Academic Affairs School of Education University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Associate Dean - Academic Affairs Sc

Author Bio

Raymond L. Calabrese is a professor of educational administration in the School of Educational Policy and Leadership at the Ohio State University. Calabrese is the author of five books and coauthor of four books. His recent stand alone books include The Dissertation Desk Reference; The Elements of an Effective Dissertation and Thesis; and The Leadership Assignment.
Page A. Smith is a professor of educational leadership and policy studies and associate dean for graduate studies in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).