Empowering Women and Minorities through Online Learning: A Doctoral Cohort for Life Balance
Concurrent Session 4
Brief Abstract
Short Abstract:
During this session, we will have an interactive discussion concerning the online learning doctoral cohort program, which is designed to empower women and minorities pursuing doctoral degrees by providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment. The presentation will offer a dialogue about professional development opportunities, peer-to-peer support, and mentorship. Furthermore, we seek to teach students the skill of balancing their academic work with personal and professional commitments. The takeaways from this session will help bridge the gap in doctoral program representation and support women and minorities to achieve their academic and career goals.
Presenters
Extended Abstract
Minority online doctoral students face unique challenges and barriers as they navigate their learning experiences. This abstract discusses the factors that influence the learning experiences of minority online doctoral students and the strategies that can be employed to enhance their learning outcomes.
Studies show that online doctoral students from minority backgrounds face obstacles such as social isolation, lack of mentorship, and feeling disconnected from their academic community. These factors can contribute to lower persistence rates and decreased academic success. However, several strategies can be employed to mitigate these challenges, including creating supportive and inclusive learning environments, providing mentorship opportunities, and utilizing culturally responsive teaching practices.
To ensure the success of minority online doctoral students, universities and faculty must recognize their unique challenges and implement strategies to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Through these efforts, minority online doctoral students can achieve academic success and contribute to the diversification of higher education.
This proposal aims to introduce an online learning doctoral cohort program that will empower women and minorities to overcome these challenges and achieve their academic and career goals. Presenters will take an in-depth look using interactive modalities into the benefits of the online instruction cohort model.
The primary objective of this doctoral cohort program is to provide a supportive and inclusive online learning environment that enables women and minorities to pursue their doctoral degrees while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The program will provide mentorship, networking opportunities, strategic planning, and professional development to ensure the participants' success.
The presentation addresses strategies to accommodate individuals with busy schedules, allowing them to balance their academic and professional lives. The cohort model is structured to allow for flexibility, ensuring students can balance their academic work with their personal and professional commitments. Doctoral students are assigned to small groups to facilitate peer-to-peer support and collaboration.