Inspired to Climb Higher: The Journey, the Challenge, the Questions, the Struggles, and the Joy of Earning Your Doctoral Degree

Inspired to Climb Higher: The Challenges, Questions, Struggles, and Joy of Earning Your Doctoral Degree invites readers to experience the personal stories of eight women with unique doctoral journeys who, while facing or overcoming the sometimes-mountainous challenges of everyday life, accepted the call to seek the highest level of academic achievement. Inspired to Climb Higher is a ＂know before you go＂ guide written to help prepare anyone thinking of obtaining a doctorate for the challenges their journey might present. It provides answers to questions students might have about pursuing a doctorate. The book contains chapters devoted to questions, answers, and advice for anyone considering earning a doctoral degree, as well as a chapter meant to help prepare future candidates for the rigors and requirements of writing a doctoral dissertation.

Beverly Middlebrook-Thomas, EdD, is a Senior Business & Computer Science teacher in Dekalb County, Atlanta, Georgia. She is also a mentor and coach to new teachers. Dr. Middlebrook-Thomas received her BS in Business Education from Alcorn State University and master’s in liberal arts from Houston Baptist University.

Jyenny Babcock, EdD is a retired higher education professional turned doctoral student life coach in the greater Sacramento, California area. Dr. Babcock earned an AA in Liberal Arts/Business Administration from Foothill College; a BA in Psychology and an MA in Sociology: Research Skills Option, from California State University, and an EdD in Leadership with a Health and Wellness focus of study from American College of Education, Indiana.

Noha Abdou, EdD, Dr. Noha Abdou is the Director of Institutional Research in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning at California State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Computer Science from the American University in Cairo and her Master’s in Public Administration from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the California State University, Fullerton.

Helga M. McCullough, EdD, CCC-SLP, is a first-generation college student who earned her BS in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology from the East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. She earned her EdD with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University.

Wanda K. W. Ebright, PhD, is a tenured, full professor of dance, serving in her second year as Dean of the College of the Arts at Columbus State University in Georgia. Prior to this, she served as Associate Dean for the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Winthrop University in South Carolina, Chair of the Department of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts at Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina and, Dance Program Coordinator at Coker College in Hartsville, South Carolina

Deborah J. Broom-Cooley, EdDis a recently retired educator with forty-five years of teaching and leadership experience in the K-12 and post-secondary arenas. She has worked in Louisiana and Georgia as a Teacher Support and Coaching Specialist, Professional Learning Coordinator, Content Coordinator and Liaison, Mentor to Teachers, Leaders, and Students, and Adjunct Instructor.Jennifer Malone, EdD, received her Bachelor of Science degree in special education from Truman State University in 1985. In 1992 she earned an MA in special education and in 1996 an EdS in educational administration both from the University of Missouri. She earned her EdD in 1999 from Saint Louis University in Educational Leadership.

Sallie B. Middlebrook, PhD, is a writer, editor, and writing coach. A graduate of traditional and non-traditional institutions, Dr. Middlebrook holds a BS degree in Mass Communications/Journalism from Jackson State University, Mississippi; an MS in Advertising from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, and a PhD in Business Administration and Management (with a specialization in Marketing), from Walden University, Minnesota.