Re-envisioning eNews

Date: April 1, 2003
Subject: Re-envisioning the Ph.D. Update

This quarter on the Re-envisioning the Ph.D. website, we have featured several resources and models that can help doctoral stakeholders in their efforts to affect change. Zumeta and Raveling’s report, Best and Brightest for Science: Is There a Problem Here? poses the question “Are careers in scientific research still attractive to the most talented young Americans?” Also featured, is The Elon Teacher-Scholar, a statement of principles developed by the faculty of Elon University to serve as vision regarding expectations for their faculty. These and other articles this quarter are featured on our new News and Updates: http://www.grad.washington.edu/envision/news/current_news.html.

At the University of Washington, we have recently implemented two very different approaches that institutions might adopt for their own purposes. First, the Ph.D. Alumni (residing in the Puget Sound Area) Survey was conducted to discover professional development activities that were provided, not provided, and those esteemed necessary for successful career preparation. Survey materials and process can be found at: http://www.grad.washington.edu/envision/phd/survey_index.html. Another UW promising practice is the new Graduate School Medalist Award, a one-year, $10,000 award given to a doctoral candidate in recognition of the being a “scholar-citizen.” The award is given to the candidate who best integrates academic expertise and social awareness in a way that demonstrates active civic engagement and a capacity to promote political, cultural or social change. 

We currently have over 350 institutional practices, and resources from over 150 national and international organizations. To assure that your institution or organization is represented, please fill out our short submission form describing in 200 words or less your innovative practice or resource http://www.grad.washington.edu/envision/practices/promprac_submit.html. 

We appreciate your partnership as we share ideas and implement and assess new models that address issues in doctoral education. Please send us any comments, materials, articles, or presentations to: envision@u.washington.edu. 

Jody D. Nyquist
Principal Investigator, Re-envisioning the Ph.D.
Associate Dean, The Graduate School
University of Washington
384 Bagley Hall, Box 351725
Seattle, WA  98195-1725
P: 206-543-6588
F: 206-685-1213
Nyquist@u.washington.edu