Dr. Lynette Kvasny realized when she was the only African American information systems doctoral student and teachers assistant at Georgia State University that the landscape needed to change.

But it wasn't until the last year of her doctoral studies that she found out about The PhD Project.

"When I heard about the Doctoral Student Association (DSA) meeting, I knew I had to attend and see for myself what this program was accomplishing. When I left, I had met new friends, mentors and had gotten advice and direction that only this type of organization can provide," she recalls.

Dr. Kvasny started her doctoral studies while working at Bell Labs. They had a doctoral support program which she was very involved in. Unfortunately, she lost her job due to a merger. In losing her job, she lost her support network, too. "I was so thrilled to find The PhD Project, I really didn't know what I was going to do, how I would ever finish," she says. "Thanks to the support of the DSA, I made it through!"

Dr. Kvasny found Georgia State very welcoming. "There were so many students of color-but no professors! When I got up in front of the class, I could see the immediate impact I had on the students. Suddenly, they would sit up in their chairs and take notes, because I looked and talked like they did," she recalls.

She plans on making an impact at Penn State, too. "I am starting a community technology outreach program. I want to build a house (I applied for a grant with HUD) and have underprivileged kids live in it and take tech classes at the University, while helping to rebuild their community. Service learning at its finest!" she said. She will be working with local architects and landscapers to build the house.

If you are a PhD Project participant and would like to share your story, send e-mail.