The Fall 2006 Community College Cognate Area Doctoral Student "Meet-n-Greet" Session
Held at the UNT Denton Campus and Hosted by the Bill J. Priest Center
On Friday evening, November 17, 2006, the Bill J. Priest Center hosted a session for Doctoral students in the Community College Cognate area and their spouses, entitled “Meet, Greet, and Learn" beginning at 7:00 p.m. and continuing until 9:00 p.m. in the Gateway Center at UNT with a meal first, followed by the program.
The 2006-2007 objectives for the Priest Center included offering a “get-acquainted session” for new students and their families. Families for this 
session actually meant their spouses, and we did have several spouses at the event. The rationale was that since doctoral study involves a tremendous amount of commitment, long hours, and frequent study at home, it is important for spouses and families not only to understand but also to support the commitment.
Presenters (program graduates and students presently in the program) included Dr. Kraus, Dr. Garrett, Teresa Isbell, and Shannon Smith. Drs. Kraus and Garrett completed their dissertations last year. Dr. Kraus is now at TCU and Dr. Garret is at the Corinth Campus of North Central Texas College. Dr. Kraus’s presentation was entitled “Navigating the UNT Doctoral Process” and Dr. Garrett’s presentation was entitled “Journey to the PhD—What Doctoral Students Need to Know.” Additionally, two current students, Teresa Isbell and Shannon Smith, presented. Teresa Isbell’s topic was “The NISOD Conference Experience” and Shannon Smith’s topic was “Five Things I Wish I Had Known.”
Dr. Jesse Jones, Director of the CLARA program (Consortiu
m Leadership and Renewal Academy) also joined us as a speaker; he talked with attendees concerning his program offerings, including the CLARA program.
Many doctoral students and their spouses reported back to the center that the session was a very enjoyable experience and provided tremendous help in becoming more familiar with the doctoral process, as well as strategies to survive and thrive within it.
The Bill J. Priest Center hopes to offer another similar session, with equally engaging and informative speakers at the next Meet-n-Greet during the Fall of 07. So, please check back on this site periodically for the next session date TBA!
