It doesn’t matter how long it takes you. I told this to my students recently. I often give extra words of encouragement to the students who don’t even think they can go to college because they find themselves short on credits, in a continuation school, or in general feel as if they are incapable of … Continue reading From Community College to Ph.D., It Doesn’t Matter How Long it Takes You
Author: Irene Sanchez
If it’s Inaccessible to the Poor, Then What Is It?
If it's Inaccessible to the Poor, Then What Is It? By: Xicana Ph.D. I have seen the quote many times, “If it's accessible to the poor, it is neither radical nor revolutionary”. I agreed with this phrase, but then something happened that made me question how easy it is to call something out as not … Continue reading If it’s Inaccessible to the Poor, Then What Is It?
Redefining Success
Degrees will not guarantee jobs. If degrees don't guarentee jobs then what does this mean for our larger society? What then becomes the purpose of higher education? As I read through the comments reacting to my latest blog post, I have a Ph.D. and I'm on Welfare, I remember all the reasons why we cannot … Continue reading Redefining Success
I Have a Ph.D. and I am on Welfare
I thought the real challenge would be finishing the Ph.D. as a single mother who overcome so many obstacles to be where I was walking across a stage with my son in my arms to have a doctoral hood placed over my head was one of my proudest moments. I thought I had overcome the … Continue reading I Have a Ph.D. and I am on Welfare
Creating Places to Stand: On Dismantling Oppressive Behaviors in Academia
"You can't sit with us" There is a long list of reasons some people in academia will make up for justification as to why they won’t let you “sit” (interact) with them. For example, You can’t sit with them unless: You went to this elite school like they are all alums from (oh you didn’t … Continue reading Creating Places to Stand: On Dismantling Oppressive Behaviors in Academia
A Letter to my “Academic Mama”
Dear Academic Mama, I am here. I am still here. I said this today after thinking about how hard life has been after finishing the Ph.D. I emailed you to ask you for a letter of recommendation again today and remembered how many times for many years, I would come to your office for a … Continue reading A Letter to my “Academic Mama”
Lines
"Next"! She yells at me while I stand recovering from the short drive over to the office-I was hot and sweaty, it was the end of summer, but in that moment I was reminded how the heat in the Inland Empire does not let up in late summer/early fall and neither does the judgement. I … Continue reading Lines
Surviving while in graduate school and beyond
Surviving while in graduate school and beyond By: Xicana Ph.D. "...and when we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed but when we are silent we are still afraid So it is better to speak remembering we were never meant to survive". -Audre Lorde While finishing gradute school, I continued … Continue reading Surviving while in graduate school and beyond