Research Partner Profile

North Carolina State University

Principal Investigator
Terri Lomax
Dean of Graduate School & Associate Vice Chancellor
(919) 515-2394
terri_lomax@ncsu.edu

Participating Programs (12)
Botany
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Computer Science
Economics
Genetics
Mathematics
Microbiology
Physics
Psychology
Sociology

Abstract
As a result of the funding from Phase I of the Ph.D. Completion project, North Carolina State University (NCSU) has refined and improved database systems that allow for the monitoring of doctoral completion. NCSU used project data to improve “Graduate Profiles” for departments, which are used extensively in graduate program reviews and allow for comparisons of programs across campus. Also, NCSU and two consortium institutions held workshops for faculty, directors of graduate programs, and graduate school administrators to exchange ideas. For Phase II, NCSU will continue many of the efforts implemented in Phase I. The university will also focus attention on several successful program activities such as communicating directly with doctoral students, providing adequate orientation through departmental sessions and handbooks, and increasing recruitment activities, including direct contact by faculty with U.S. and international applicants prior to admission.

Interventions

• Develop and pilot a web-based annual progress report system for doctoral students that will track their accomplishments and potentially identify critical times when interventions are needed.
• Implement:
      • “Crosstalk” Meetings for OPT-ED Graduate Students
      • Mentoring Workshops for Faculty
      • Annual Symposium on Succeeding in Graduate School and       Achieving a Faculty Career
  
• Increase the number of students participating in the Preparing the Professoriate (PTP) program.
• Launch new program called “Preparing Future Professionals (PFP)” – a series of professional development workshops led by invited speakers on a variety of topics not normally available through the discipline-based doctoral curriculum.
• Embark on a New Capital Campaign effort to raise funds for a Graduate Student Commons which will be a center for graduate student activities, both academic and social, to promote greater interaction among students of all disciplines.
• Continue the collaboration with the University of Georgia to maintain the website dedicated to the project.