| Abstract: | This article explores how two African American professors both “outsiders” to the inner workings of the academy created a support system, which began nearly 10 years ago as a part of their formal advisee/advisor relationship. When they began their relationship one was a junior African-American female faculty member (promoted to associate professor in 2004) and one was an African-American female doctoral student (currently a tenure track professor). Utilizing elements of scholarly personal narrative and case study methods they reveal the process they engaged in over a nine-year period, which resulted in their retention and success in the academy. Sharon Fries-Britt and Bridget Turner Kelly received their Ph.D.’s from The University of Maryland. Dr. Kelly is an Assistant Professor of Education, Integrated Professional Studies, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA. Her research centers on marginalized students and faculty in higher education, namely women and people of color. Dr. Fries-Britt is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland. Her work focuses on the experiences of high achieving Black collegians and their success and retention in higher education. She is also interested in patterns of success for Black faculty and administrators in higher education. |
