It is hard for Raphael Heaggans to believe it has been 10 years since he arrived on West Virginia University’s campus with one goal in mind – completing his doctoral degree.

Now, Heaggans is using that doctorate working as a professor of teacher education at Niagara University in Niagara Falls, N.Y. – an opportunity he attributes to his time in WVU’s minority doctoral program, also known as the “Chancellor’s Scholars.”

“If such programs did not exist I would not be here today,” Heaggans said. “I am so thankful that the Chancellor’s Scholars program gave me the opportunity to accomplish my dream of teaching at the college level and writing a book. As far as I am concerned, the sky is the limit.”

The program targets underrepresented, high-achieving minority students interested in completing a doctoral degree. It grew out of the University’s annual Colloquium for Aspiring Minority Doctoral Students, which is celebrating its 10th year.

“Over the past 10 years, 10 colloquia have helped to recruit and welcome minority doctoral students from all over this nation and world to West Virginia University,” said Jennifer McIntosh, executive officer for social justice at WVU.

Since its inception, the program has graduated more than 30 students from all over the world. Those graduates have gone on to teach at Fairmont State University, Glenville State College, Potomac State College, WVU, WVU-Parkersburg and others throughout the world.

In addition to providing the funding needed for students to obtain their doctorates, the Chancellor’s Scholars program provides mentoring, networking and research opportunities.

In recognition of the program’s 10 successful years, an invitation-only celebration is being held Thursday (Oct. 21) at 6 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

“This celebration is not only to celebrate 10 years of this growing program, but to celebrate the scholars who have come through Colloquium,” McIntosh said. “This event will allow former students to come back, reconnect with their former peers and mentors, share and celebrate their accomplishments and successes.”

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission funds the program through a grant given to WVU’s President’s Office for Social Justice and Office of Graduate Education and Life.

For more information, contact Program Coordinator Constinia Charbonnette at 304-293-0173 or constinia.charbonnette@mail.wvu.edu .

-WVU-

cd/10/14/10

CONTACT: Sharon Mallow, President’s Office for Social Justice
304-293-5496 ext. 4572, Sharon.Mallow@mail.wvu.edu

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