Doctoral Students Win Dissertation Fellowship
Two Doctoral Students from TPTE Win Dissertation Funding in National Competition
Dani Rimbach-Jones and Bethany Parker are the recent recipients of a $25,000 fellowship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to help offset expenses related during the final year of dissertation writing. Both are doctoral students in the department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, under the mentorship of Frances Harper, Associate Professor in TPTE.
According to Harper, the AAUW Dissertation Fellowship is a national, competitive fellowship that offers financial support to students completing their dissertations. The program is open to all women in all fields of study though those engaged in science, technology, engineering and math fields, or those researching gender issues, are especially encouraged to apply.
“Both Dani and Bethany have worked tirelessly this year to apply for multiple dissertation fellowships, which has finally paid off,” said Harper. “They are both doing such exceptional work, and I am overjoyed that they will have this support as they finalize their dissertations.”
Rimbach-Jones and Parker expressed deep gratitude for being selected for this prestigious fellowship.
“Becoming a recipient of the AAUW’s American Dissertation Fellowship is an incredible honor; and a testament to the support I have received from my dissertation committee, particularly Dr. Frances Harper, and broader community of colleagues, family, and friends,” said Parker. “I’m excited that this funding will provide me with the opportunity to compensate research participants, without whom this research would not exist. Thank you to everyone! My dissertation research will explore the lived experiences of PhD students through critical, philosophical, and feminist lenses with a particular focus on conceptualizations of knowledge and sense of belonging.”
“Being a recipient of the AAUW Fellowship is a significant achievement. One I am beyond proud of, after a few rejections. However, this fellowship would not have been possible without Aginisi, who has taken me under her wing, taught me, and shown me tremendous love and grace.” said Rimbach-Jones.
AAUW American Fellowships are the oldest non-institutional source of graduate funding for women in the United States. The program began in 1888, at a time when women were discouraged from pursuing an education.
Through its seven departments and 13 centers, the UT College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences enhances the quality of life for all through research, outreach, and practice. Find out more at cehhs.utk.edu