Post by MIKEB on Sept 19, 2004 8:10:15 GMT -5
NCA&T Graduates Record Number of African-American Engineering Ph.D.s
By Bruce E. Phillips
Aug 31, 2004, 17:15
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Dr. Joseph Monroe, NCA&T engineering dean since 2000
North Carolina A&T State University's news was straightforward and measured, belying its actual significance: 21 engineering Ph.D.s graduated this year, making historically Black A&T the leader in graduating African-American engineering Ph.D.s.
Behind the news, however, were years of planning and a tenacious commitment to what Graduate School Dean and Associate Vice Chancellor Kenneth Murray calls "a deliberate effort to move to the next level" in minority engineering education.
Greensboro, N.C.,-based A&T began offering engineering doctorates in 1994, with 10 students. The first two walked to commencement in 1998, and the program has grown ever since. Three years ago, A&T boosted graduate recruiting by increasing its total financial support.
Prepping New Professors
"Our Ph.D. production is different, because most of our graduates are African American," Dr. Murray said, noting that planning is now under way for doctoral programs in energy and environmental studies. "We're pushing hard to change the face of the professoriate with more minority professors, and we must have Ph.D.s for that."
One reason for A&T's graduate success stories has been its broad support for the programs at all levels. Dr. Joseph Monroe, for example, has worked to increase doctoral candidates since he became engineering dean in 2000. His goal, he says, is to graduate at least 20 Ph.D.s each year to reach the "Research Intensive" status shared by only one other HBCU -- Howard -- and qualify for additional state funding. As Dr. Monroe says, "To produce a doctorate is an expensive enterprise for a university, and we set a goal to move to this next level."
www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_273.shtml
By Bruce E. Phillips
Aug 31, 2004, 17:15
Email this article
Printer friendly page
Dr. Joseph Monroe, NCA&T engineering dean since 2000
North Carolina A&T State University's news was straightforward and measured, belying its actual significance: 21 engineering Ph.D.s graduated this year, making historically Black A&T the leader in graduating African-American engineering Ph.D.s.
Behind the news, however, were years of planning and a tenacious commitment to what Graduate School Dean and Associate Vice Chancellor Kenneth Murray calls "a deliberate effort to move to the next level" in minority engineering education.
Greensboro, N.C.,-based A&T began offering engineering doctorates in 1994, with 10 students. The first two walked to commencement in 1998, and the program has grown ever since. Three years ago, A&T boosted graduate recruiting by increasing its total financial support.
Prepping New Professors
"Our Ph.D. production is different, because most of our graduates are African American," Dr. Murray said, noting that planning is now under way for doctoral programs in energy and environmental studies. "We're pushing hard to change the face of the professoriate with more minority professors, and we must have Ph.D.s for that."
One reason for A&T's graduate success stories has been its broad support for the programs at all levels. Dr. Joseph Monroe, for example, has worked to increase doctoral candidates since he became engineering dean in 2000. His goal, he says, is to graduate at least 20 Ph.D.s each year to reach the "Research Intensive" status shared by only one other HBCU -- Howard -- and qualify for additional state funding. As Dr. Monroe says, "To produce a doctorate is an expensive enterprise for a university, and we set a goal to move to this next level."
www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_273.shtml
