Our Doctoral Journey

About the Book

Data from the Education at a Glance in 2019 states that less than 2 percent of the United States’ and world’s population holds a doctorate degree. Germane to this fact, the National Center of Education statistics reported that, in the 2018-19 academic year, of the doctoral degrees awarded to women, only 10.9 percent were awarded to Black women compared to 63.6 percent awarded to White women in the U.S. Black women who are interested in pursuing a doctorate, already in doctoral programs, or in their field of doctoral work are in crucial need of resources, community, and support. For too long, Black women have faced many systemic barriers and various forms of racist exclusion and oppression in educational settings, which has often led to burnout, low sense of belonging, and low retention rates. This memoir, “Our Doctoral Journey: A collection of Black women’s experiences,” serves as a resource and toolkit for Black women doctors, future doctors, and professionals. Prepare yourselves to read transparent and ground-breaking stories from 24 co-authors, ranging from doctoral students to doctors to professionals, who, with great tenacity, have chosen to share their doctoral experiences. Undeniably, this memoir will give you hope, motivation, and determination to choose what is best for you and persist in your program or in your field of work. As the saying goes, “We’re all that we’ve got.”

About the Author

Nicole A. Telfer is currently a PhD candidate in Applied Developmental Psychology– with training in child and adolescent development–at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised on ackee and saltfish, Nicole is a proud daughter of Jamaican parents and takes pride in her heritage. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University and a Master of Arts degree in Applied Developmental Psychology from UMBC. As a developmental scientist, Nicole’s research focuses on ethnic-racial socialization practices, social determinants of health, the role of intersectionality, and finding ways to improve the educational experiences and developmental outcomes of Black youth. Ultimately, Nicole hopes to create preventive intervention programs and centers in inner-city neighborhoods for racially minoritized youth and their overall wellbeing. Outside of academia and research, Nicole loves to travel, enjoys listening to H.E.R and Jazmin Sullivan, finds pleasure in reading radical books, and spends ample time tending to her plants. She is a professional spoken-word artist and author and co-author of three books: Freed, A Black Woman’s Guide to Earning a PhD, and Phoenix Phenomenon.