Dear Friend,

Two weeks ago, you received an email solicitation for participants in my dissertation research investigating the relationship between racial identity and the socialization experiences of Black Ph.D. students. 

First, I would like to thank everyone: those who did not meet the criteria for the study but forwarded the email to their colleagues who did and those who completed the survey. If you have not completed the survey and meet the criteria, please do so by connecting to the link below which will take you to the survey.

The criteria for participation are (1) self identification as African American or Black; (2) native or naturalized United States citizen; and (3) Ph.D. student (at least two semesters) or recent completion of Ph.D. (December 2009 to present).  If you fail to meet any of the aforementioned criteria,  please do not proceed, but feel free to forward this letter to anyone who might meet these criteria.

Most participants indicate that the survey takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.  If you complete the survey by January 31, 2011, you will be entered into a drawing to receive one of seven gift cards.  The top prize is a $100 Visa gift card with two $50 and four $25 gift cards also available. The drawing will take place on February 1, 2011 and winners will be announced via email.

The link to the survey is as follows:

http://survey.utk.edu/mrIWeb/mrIWeb.dll?I.Project=SURVEYOFBLACKDOC

(You may have to copy this URL into your web browser.)

I realize how busy your schedules may be; however, I hope that you will be able to take the time to complete the survey and thus share your experiences with me.

Thank you for your participation.  It is sincerely appreciated. Again, please feel free to forward the link to the study to anyone who might be interested. 

Best,

Ferlin McGaskey

Doctoral Candidate, Higher Education Administration

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

SREB Doctoral Scholar