Together for Equity

Voices of Empowerment:

Sista Circle Success Stories

Discover the impact of the Sista Circle Mentorship Program through testimonials shared by our past participants. Gain insights into the transformative relationships formed, knowledge exchanged, and growth experienced. Dive into the narratives that highlight the power of culturally tailored peer and professional mentorship in improving doctoral retention, shaping futures, and creating lasting connections.

Meet Jabreel, an incoming PhD student at Virginia Tech

Watch her story to see the impact of the Sista Circle Mentorship Program and how it transformed her doctoral journey.

Support more scholars like Jabreel by sponsoring a doctoral student for the 2024-2025 year.

Confidence and Empowerment

Empowering scholars, the Sista Circle Mentorship Program boosts their confidence to pursue dreams and excel in their academic journeys.

“The program renewed my confidence in my doctoral journey and the value of my research.”

  • This program is AMAZING! I have applied three cycles in a row to Clinical Psych PhD programs. The Sista Circle mentorship program GREW my confidence and allowed me to really shift my vision and perspective about graduate school to where I now know exactly what I need to do to be accepted.

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2022

  • This experience has quite literally changed my life! After joining the Sista Circle Mentorship Program, I started to develop courage in a way I had not felt before. I'm so glad I did because I now have an offer from the University of Washington, and I am moving from Oman, Middle East, to the US for my PhD.

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2021

  • After going through the Sista Circle Mentorship program, I feel more confident in my pursuit of my doctoral degree! This program has and continues to encourage me to be bold, dream bigger, and get out of my comfort zone. I have built phenomenal bonds with phenomenal women, and I am oh so grateful!

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2021

Personalized direction and strategic planning help Sista Circle mentees navigate their academic paths with confidence.

“I have been working on my proposal for years, and I have been lost. I feel like I have now found my way!”

Direction and Guidance

  • The Sista Circle Mentorship Program was a game-changer for me. I started in a space of ambiguity about the direction of my doctoral journey. During the program, I felt supported and empowered to push through my circumstances and make progress toward my academic goals.

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2023

  • Dr. N wasn’t just a mentor to me, she was a sister guiding me on what to do. I loved the fact that she kept reminding me that graduate school is just a part of life and I shouldn’t allow it to define who I am. I am thankful to her for going above and beyond for me.

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2021

  • This program and my mentor helped me develop a direction for my doctoral journey. My academic advisors are very hands-off but Sista Circle assisted me in creating a plan for the completion of my journey. Having a mentor who also had research in an area similar to mine was a plus.

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2021

Community and Support

Research shows that a supportive network and sense of belonging makes the doctoral journey less isolating, which in turn improves doctoral retention.

“The mentorship program helped me feel seen, validated, & loved in ways I did not even realize I needed.”

  • Attending a PWI and starting this doctoral journey increased my stress levels tremendously to the point where I considered walking away and feeling like I did not deserve to be admitted. The mentorship program solidified my well-earned and well-deserved confidence about being a well-educated, phenomenal, unapologetically Black woman!

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2023

  • Joining the Cohort Sistas program has been a game-changer for me. The support and camaraderie I've found here have transformed my doctoral journey. This community has provided me with the encouragement, resources, and solidarity I needed to thrive in my academic pursuits. I couldn't be more grateful for the support I've received.

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2023

  • The Sista Circle Mentorship Program was so instrumental in me successfully defending my dissertation! My mentor and sista scholars were there to support me emotionally and positively pour into me as I navigated finishing the dissertation and entering the job market. We were able to share our highs, but also the Sista Circle provided a safe space to share our lows.

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2021

Connecting with inspiring role models in their fields, mentees receive invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout their doctoral pursuits.

“My Sista Circle Mentor is supportive and understanding. This will be a lifelong connection.”

Role Models and Inspiration

  • Sista Circle has been a great experience for me through my application process. Through the lessons and workshops provided, I felt more confident when applying to schools. I appreciate and value my mentor so much. She is the academic big sister that I’ve always wanted, helping to guide me through the craziness of academia.

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2022

  • I was really impressed by the level of mentorship and commitment the program offered. The frequent monthly Sista Circle meet-ups, the guidance from my mentor, coupled with the ideas of my fellow Sista peers, was great in giving me the success I needed in this application cycle. Super grateful to be a part of this big family!

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2022

  • I was amazed by the number and caliber of Black women and non-binary PhDs in the Sista Circle Mentorship Program! So many wonderful people doing great things in their fields. It renewed my confidence in my doctoral journey and the value of my research.

    Sista Circle Mentee, 2023