Ep. 236: Dr. Tiffany Wiggins on Knowing Your 'Why' and Transformative Mentorship
Tiffany Wiggins
Ph.D. in Education Leadership
Old Dominion University
This week on Cohort Sistas Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Tiffany Wiggins, the powerhouse founder of Black Girl Mentor. Dr. Wiggins, armed with a Ph.D. in education leadership, an ICF life and academic coaching certificate, and a wealth of experience in higher education, has channeled her passion for transformative mentorship into a thriving community for black women and girls. This episode is a treasure trove of insights, from her personal journey to her love of travel and yes, even her penchant for denim jackets!
As we explore Dr. Wiggins' own PhD journey, we uncover the pivotal role mentorship played in her experience. Her stories of having mentors and the times she grappled without one, are a testament to the importance of mentorship for black women in academia. Dr. Wiggins cracks open her challenges of juggling time, her commitment to her young daughter, and navigating the academic labyrinth to find a supportive dissertation committee. She emphatically underscores the need to know your 'why,' ensuring that the pursuit of a doctoral degree is an intentional decision, not a fleeting whim.
Finally, we delve deeper into the intricacies of the PhD journey with Dr. Wiggins. From the process of crafting a dissertation replete with typos to having the right editor, she shares crucial insights that often get overlooked. Her emphasis on the far-reaching impact of a doctoral degree on oneself, family, and community is a profound reminder of the responsibility that comes with such an endeavor. This is a riveting episode, guaranteed to inspire and motivate you, irrespective of where you are in your academic journey or if you're just intrigued by the world of higher education and mentorship.
About the cohort sistas podcast
The Cohort Sistas Podcast brings to life the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women and femmes with doctoral degrees and their lives beyond the degree. Find us on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to subscribe to The Cohort Sistas Podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platform, rate the show, and leave us a quick review.
