A graduate student with Texas Tech's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications is among the first inaugural recipients of the Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship Program in the Texas Tech University Graduate School. The selection of Michael Kanyi, a doctoral student from Kenya, was announced today (June 3).

Kanyi and the some 28 other recipients from across the university will receive funding during the 2014-15 academic year. Designed to increase the completion rate of doctoral students and enhance recruitment of new students, the Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship Program provides funding that allows students to dedicate all their time to completing their dissertation during the upcoming academic year.

"Demand for doctoral degree holders is increasing because they drive innovation and creative endeavors in all fields," said Mark Sheridan, vice provost for Graduate Affairs and dean of the Graduate School. "This fellowship program will enable Texas Tech to move doctoral degree recipients into the workforce more quickly to meet this demand and to contribute to the economic vitality of the region, the state and the nation."

Participants were selected based on the quality of their research summary, credentials, likelihood of completing their dissertation within 12 months, quality of training environment and mentoring plan, and the impact of the award on increasing the number of doctoral students. Students were each endorsed by their department or program chairs.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Steven Fraze, Chair, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2816 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu

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