LELA House

Tag: Dissertation Coach

  • Dissertation Deliverance, Strategic Semester, and SDJ are my newest offerings for Black women in higher education.

    Dissertation Deliverance, Strategic Semester, and SDJ are my newest offerings for Black women in higher education.

    Hi y’all,

    How are you? How is summer going? How is your writing going? What’s on your to-do list?

    I’m doing well, and my summer is going well. My writing? Well, it’s going. You know how that is. And my to-do list? I’ve been busy knocking things out, and I’m excited to share with you some new things at LELA House.

    Dissertation Deliverance, Strategic Semester, and SDJ are my newest offerings for Black women in higher education.

    Dissertation Deliverance

    Dissertation Deliverance is 1:1 weekly accountability coaching for ABD students who need support and encouragement to use your time and writing and resources in ways that advance you through your program. ABD is a very isolating time when it is easy to wander aimlessly.

    If you want to put in place systems, boundaries, and accountability to help you maintain forward progress, then Dissertation Deliverance is for you. Click below to learn more, sign up, or share with someone you believe may be looking for this transformation in their lives.

    https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/211676

    Strategic Semester 

    Strategic Semester is a 16-week program that begins with 1:1 work to move you from idea to outline and then transitions into co-writing group sessions with flash coaching each session and accountability partners each session.

    If you are looking for a plan, support, writing time, and accountability to write your first 100 pages, then Strategic Semester is for you. Click below to learn more, sign up, or share with someone you believe may be looking for this transformation in their lives.

    https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/219217

    Sistahs on the Doctoral Journey (SDJ)

    Sistahs on the Doctoral Journey (SDJ) is a community for Black women in higher education (from ABD through your entire career) where we connect with other women who understand our particular pressures, celebrate our joys, and understand our careers as part of a larger legacy that began with our 19th Century ancestral aunties and continues through the work we leave behind. It’s a monthly membership that includes the following: a weekly reading from a 19th Century author with an asynchronous discussion centered on what we can learn from the past and apply to our present; monthly live meet-ups; 1:1 matching between members to build personal relationships; pillar discussions that align with different stages of our careers; writing and career resources.

    If you are looking for ongoing community and support, understanding yourself as part of an ongoing legacy that extends beyond yourself, networking and mentorship with other Black women on the doctoral journey, and resources and mindsets to apply to their daily encounters, then SDJ is for you. Click below to learn more, sign up, or share with someone you believe may be looking for this transformation in their lives.

    https://app.heartbeat.chat/sistahsonthedoctoraljourneysdj/invitation?code=F3GC8F

    I pray all is well with you. And I’m going to ad a little something to your to-do list

    • Click the links to learn more.
    • Sign up for one or more programs.
    • Drop a comment to let me know which offering you’re most excited about.

    I look forward to working with you soon. Take care!

  • 3D Divas

    3D Divas

    Y’all, I’m in tears right now. Happy tears.

    I just attended the successful doctoral defense of one of my Dissertation Deliverance clients. She was brilliant. Composed. Captivating. Insightful. Ready. She was ready to discuss what she has studied, ready with a thorough presentation, ready with insightful answers to rigorous questions, and ready to be a force in the world as an authority in her field. It was glorious to behold.

    And humbling.

    I got to be in the Zoom where she became a Ph.D.-wielding Black woman. I got to talk with her through the ups and downs of her process. I got to help her create schedules and timelines that allowed her to meet her goals and honor the human who has needs outside of academia. I got to read her dissertation before the world would know of the genius contained therein. I got to view the slides prior to today’s presentation. What a blessing to get to do this with her.

    And with others.

    I love my job.

    Dissertation Deliverance clients are on a roll, if I say so myself. I have had the distinct privilege of supporting three new Black women doctors in the last academic year. And I am so proud. Y’all, the work they are doing is important in their respective fields of study and important in the world. They have created frameworks and communication styles and standards of practice. Their work will transform how we look at Black women’s mental health, how we approach teaching composition, and how we combat food insecurity for oncology patients. These extraordinary Black women are prepared and ready to take their places, go through doors, break glass ceilings, and transform their communities and the world.

    I wasn’t going to write to share this, because I didn’t want to seem like I was bragging on myself. But these women did the work. And it was a lot of work. The world should know. And me? I had the distinct pleasure of providing a little support along their journeys.

    So congratulations to the new Dissertation Deliverance Doctors! You have earned this achievement, and I can’t wait to see how you let your lights shine.

    If you or any Black women you know are ABD and looking for a little support as you complete your doctoral studies, check out my website and pass it along.

    The world is waiting for more Dissertation Deliverance Doctors. I can’t wait to support you along your journey.

    Oh wait! I just had an idea! You know Guy Fieri’s Triple D (Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives) on Food Network? Dissertation Deliverance Doctors could be the new Triple D. (Except I’m not about to get into a trademark infringement war with Guy Fieri. Nope. Not me.) What about the 3D Divas? I like it! I think I just made a thing, and y’all got to witness it in real time. Woohoo! I think we’re going to need some merch.

    So if you want to join the ranks of the 3D Divas, book some time with me, and together we’ll figure out how to support you through your dissertation and into the future that awaits you.

  • I Made the Mistakes on My Doctoral Journey So You Don’t Have To

    I Made the Mistakes on My Doctoral Journey So You Don’t Have To

    Videography by John Lore of John Lore Photo & Video

    I earned my Ph.D. nine years after I started my coursework. I had many pitfalls and drama. Some of the drama was of my own creation, and most of it was avoidable. My journey took much longer than I anticipated and way longer than I wanted.

    I learned a lot from my experience, though. One of the most important lessons was that, by and large, academia and doctoral programs are not built for Black women. I didn’t see much representation of other women who looked like me, and I felt very alone, despite having a professor in a different department who eventually became a member of my committee. She really helped see me through, but because of the systemic differential in our power dynamic, I didn’t feel comfortable sharing my full self with her.

    I needed someone who operated outside of the academic system who also had firsthand knowledge of the system. I needed someone outside of my institution who could see things differently than I did. I needed someone who had been in my position and understood the journey. I needed someone who could help me get and stay on track and hold me accountable to my goals. I needed a partner who I could trust with myself and my work. In short, I needed a coach.

    So I became what I needed, and now I do this work for Black women in doctoral programs.

    If this resonates, post “I hear you!” in the comments.

    And for a sneak peak into the transformational work I do with clients, check out 10 Strategies for Navigating Your Doctoral Journey + Coaching Workbook.