On Becoming a Scholar

"The clearly articulated purpose of this book, edited by Drs. Susan Gardner and Pilar Mendoza, is to expand and critique the existing models of doctoral education while providing alternative views of the student socialization process, especially in the developmental processes involved. In some of the chapters in this text the editors clearly accomplish their goals and truly provide new research and alternative views... This book is one of very few that acknowledge that graduate students may encounter challenges that require them to revisit aspects of their social and academic development they experienced as undergraduates."

- Journal of College Student Development

“This book brings together the work of an impressive group of scholars to highlight, synthesize, and reflect on key research and findings concerning the process through which doctoral students become scholars. It opens the door for new theoretical perspectives to explain and guide the process as well as creative strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of doctoral education. Through the research reported in this book and the vignettes describing the lives of students diverse in their disciplines, gender, race and ethnicity, age, and partner status, this volume advances our understanding of the complex and diverse ways in which individuals experience doctoral education. It moves the field forward not only by synthesizing what we know, but by identifying important directions for future research.”

Ann E. Austin

Foreword—Ann E. Austin
Part I: Setting the Context
Introduction—Susan K. Gardner and Pilar Mendoza
The Ph.D. in the United States—Pilar Mendoza and Susan K. Gardner
Part II: Socialization for the Profession
1) Doctoral Student Socialization for Teaching Roles—Melissa McDaniels
2) Doctoral Student Socialization for Research—John C. Weidman
3) Doctoral Student Socialization for Service—Kelly A. Ward
Part III: Contextualizing Socialization
4) Entering Different Worlds: Socialization into Disciplinary Communities—Chris Golde
5) Doctoral Student Socialization in Interdisciplinary Fields—Karri Holley
6) Academic Capitalism: A New Landscape for Doctoral Socialization—Pilar Mendoza
Part IV: Intersecting Socialization and Demographics
7) The Individual and the Institution: Socialization and Gender—Margaret Sallee
8) The Ph.D. Degree and the Marriage License—Catherine Millett and Michael Nettles
9) A Sense of Belonging: Socialization Factors That Influence the Transitions of
Students of Color Into Advanced-Degree Programs—Rachelle Winkle-Wagner, Susan D. Johnson, Carla Morelon-Quainoo, and Lilia Santiague
Part V: Beyond Socialization
10) Doctoral Student Development—Susan K. Gardner
11) The Overlooked Significance of Doctoral Students as Adult Learners—Carol Kasworm and Tuere Bowles
12) Exploring Epistemological Diversity in a Doctoral Seminar—Dawn Shinew and Tami Moore
Conclusion—Susan K. Gardner and Pilar Mendoza

Susan K. Gardner

Susan K. Gardner is Associate Professor of Higher Education at the University of Maine, in Orono. She writes and presents widely on issues related to doctoral student success and development, and recently published The Development of Doctoral Students: Phases of Challenge and Support.

Pilar Mendoza

Pilar Mendoza is currently Assistant Professor in Higher Education at the University of Florida, having previously served as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Oklahoma State University. Her research focuses on the impact of academic capitalism on the public good of higher education.