The Cohort Sistas Podcast
The Cohort Sistas Podcast is an empowering and enlightening podcast that holds space for Black women and nonbinary doctoral degree holders to share their stories, experiences, and expertise. Each episode features an engaging interview on a wide range of topics, including academic trajectory, application process, mentorship, funding, career development, mental health, and social issues. Hosted by Cohort Sistas Founder and Executive Director Dr. Ijeoma Kola, The Cohort Sistas Podcast is known for its authentic and relatable approach, providing listeners with valuable insights, practical advice, and a sense of community. Whether you're looking for inspiration, encouragement, or simply a thought-provoking conversation, this podcast is a must-listen for aspiring doctors seeking to connect, learn, and thrive.
Cohort Sistas provides digital resources, mentorship, and community to improve equity in doctoral education. While our programs and platform are open to all doctoral students, applicants, and degree holders, we prioritize and center the needs and perspectives of Black women and nonbinary scholars.
Be sure to follow us on social at https://www.twitter.com/cohortsistas and https://www.instagram.com/cohortsistas, and visit our website at https://www.cohortsistas.org.
The Cohort Sistas Podcast
Dr. Kristen Voorhies on Overcoming Tragedy, Healing from Trauma, and Prioritizing Mental Health During Her Doctoral Degree
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Since May is Mental Health Month, it seems fitting to share this interview that we did a while back. Dr. Kristen Voorhies holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in evolutionary biology and currently works as a marine biologist at the US Fish and Wildlife Services. Not only was Kristen the only Black woman in her cohort, but she was also the first Black woman to graduate from her program. In this episode, Kristen talks about how she came to be a marine biologist, following her lifelong love and passion for the outdoors and the ocean. We hear about what she is currently working on and what her varied days look like. Kristen bravely opens up about the mental and physical health struggles she faced while enrolled as a doctoral student. She talks about her support systems and strategies, including seeing a therapist, finding a community, and taking a break from her program. As Black women in academia, there are numerous internal and external roadblocks on our paths, and Kristen’s candidness around these challenges gives a voice to something that many of us in these spaces have felt before. To hear all this and more, tune in today!
Connect with Dr. Kristen Voorhies on LinkedIn.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
If you are a Black woman interested in joining the Cohort Sistas community or you’re looking for more information on how to support or partner with Cohort Sistas, please visit our site at www.cohortsistas.com.
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