Vote for @TSMRI's SxSWEdu Proposal - 55 Social Media Tips for #HigherEd Faculty and Staff!

This week, I am especially excited about the #SxSWedu proposal voting period! We are entering the second week and here is our proposal for the Texas Social Media Research Institute (TSMRI):

http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/40900

Here are our "sharing stats"for the past week!

We definitely need more shares, please help us! Vote here - http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/40900

Sincerely - @drjtedwardsTSU

7 Easy Ways for Professors to Prepare for the Fall Semester

News flash! There are only a few more weeks until the first day of school and we have to prepare!

Yes, you have your research to complete, but now it is time to focus on your classes!

Here's my to do list, feel free to adapt one or more items from this list for your "to do" list.

1 - Finish your syllabus. Considering creating your syllabus on Google Documents to quickly provide real-time edits for your students. Embed or link this syllabus in any similar courses on Blackboard.
*I plan to write about this later.

2 - Practice the names of each of your students. It is important to potentially avoid mispronunciations on the first day of class.

3 - Import the names of your students to your grade book.

4 - Create your assignments on Blackboard.

5 - Write the "action item" list of the first week of school. The "action item" list for my students usually includes: a) completing surveys focused on their familiarity with the course material, b) their familiarity with Google Documents, and c) their goals for the course.

6 - Pick your best outfit/suit for the first day of school. This day marks your first impression on the students and it can either make or break your year.

7 - Most importantly, send an e-mail to to the students before the course begins! Let them know that you are excited to meet them. Also, make sure you tell them about the textbook and the ISBN information.

8 - Also, remember to familiarize yourself with the new material regarding the content in your course (new videos, check the YouTube links, etc.). :) This is always extra hard for me, but it has to be done!

Good luck this semester! It will be a great one for you and your students!

*What did I miss? What would you add? Do not forget to breathe!

Sincerely - @drjtedwardsTSU

Millennial Professors Like Gold Stars!

Earlier this week, I started feeling like I have not conducted any research or published any scholarly work. This morning I started having a NEW ATTITUDE!

I have accomplished the following this semester (so far):Delivered both a keynote and workshop presentation for a conference.
Wrote an article for a national trade publication (for women).
Wrote a grant for a local organization.
Four newspapers have featured me in an article.
Created a new course for my department.

The next time that you feeling accomplishment deprived, write a list. Sometimes it is helpful to see your accomplishments in front of you.

In addition, I JUST received a certificate of appreciation for my keynote speech last week. Wonderful! I have another item to add to the growing portfolio.

Yes, millennials like gold stars... or certificates of appreciation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/
Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?
Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!
If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

The Great Debaters: A Historical Female Star Passes Away!

Henrietta Bell Wells, a Pioneering Debater, Dies at 96

Mrs. Wells, the only female debater on the Wiley College debate team, died recently. As a former high school debater, I was enamored with the fact that a major motion picture was released about a debate team at a historically black college. I actually attended Wiley College for a semester and I learned a lot from my short experience at an HBCU.

It is very ironic that Mrs. Wells passed away after the movie was released. I am very glad that such a phenomenal woman had the chance to see the movie about her life at Wiley College.

Read the article - Henrietta Bell Wells, a Pioneering Debater, Dies at 96

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!

Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards

I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/

Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?

Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!

If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/

Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Top 10 Ways to Deal with a Rejection Letter from a Publication

Today, I start the revisions of one of my submitted manuscripts. I received my first rejection letter before Christmas and I have not touched the document since that time. As I stated before, the first rejection letter is the worst and then the scholarly journal rejection process gets better.

I think that the best way of dealing with a rejection letter is to:
1. File the rejection letter and reviewers' comments away for awhile
2. Reflect on the process (perhaps write your reflection in a blog) :)
3. Search for another journal
4. Dig up the rejection letter and comments
5. Print and read the comments
6. Make revisions
7. Reflect on the revisions (perhaps write your reflection in a blog) :)
8. Read the document a few more times.
9. Submit the document to friends, family, and former dissertation advisers (perhaps a writers club)
10. Submit document to the selected scholarly journal.

I am actually in the fifth stage and I hope to progress through the sixth and seventh stages over Spring Break. The deadline for the new journal is April 15th. Wish me luck.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!
Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/
Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?
Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!
If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Research Updates - The Unexpected Interlibrary Loan Prayer

A few weeks ago, I ordered a book through the Interlibrary Loan system entitled, "Getting Tenure" by Marcia Lynn Whicker, Jennie Jacobs Kronenfeld, and Ruth Ann Strickland.

Yes, the book seems interesting. However, I experienced a lot of coincidences while reading the book.

1. The first coincidence was that the book was from my undergraduate institution. I have ordered many books through the interlibrary loan system, but this is the first one from one of my former institutions.

2. The second coincidence occurred when I turned to page 65. The subtitle on this page was, "Being Denied Tenure". Sometimes I can be a pessimist, but someone inserted a small sheet a paper that read:

The Power of Prayer
The day was long, the
burden I had borne
Seemed heavier that I
could longer bear;
And then it lifted -
but I did not know
Someone had knelt in prayer;
Had taken me to God that very hour
And asked the easing of the load,
And He, in infinite compassion,
had stopped down
And taken it from me.

Someone had prayed - how

often hearts
Find sudden peace and rest,
Somewhere a prayer, - and Mercy
Yields lovingly to Faith's request.

I guess that I needed it today, because for the past few days I have graded papers! A unexpected prayer sometimes makes the tenure track process a little easier.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!

Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards

I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/

Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?

Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!

If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/

Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Get Motivated & Goal Setting 2008!

While visiting my mother this weekend, she stated that 2007 was the year of completion and 2008 was the year of new beginnings. I decided that 2008 was going to be my new beginning. I am going to get motivated to write at least 10 articles this year (you should too)! Attention people who are reading this blog, we should keep each other accountable. I will post the backwards plan for articles that I need to publish this semester and you can do the same by replying.

WE WILL FLORISH this semester! I always have some great article ideas, but no time to write. We WILL write this year! My dissertation chair is holding me accountable for writing/presenting 1,000+ articles/workshops in my academic career. Won't you please do the same?

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!

Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards

I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/

Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?

Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!

If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/

Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Grading Updates - Grades are Submitted!

I just submitted my grades (thank goodness)! BTW - Please let me know if you are visiting my blog.

MillennialProf

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!

Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards

I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/

Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?

Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!

If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/

Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Another Article - Submitted for Review

I have submitted yet another article for review by a student affairs journal. This article is focused on an issue that I passionate about. The racial integration of social sororities. I gathered information from participants who attend a predominately white institution.

I am also interested in the topic, because I am an African American member of a predominately white sorority (in the south).

We shall see the potential impact (or lack thereof) of the article.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!

Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards

I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/

Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?

Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!

If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/

Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

My Review of New Professor Mentor Website

Good morning!

I just wanted to share this link with you that I found on the Around the Academy/New Professor Mentor website - [the link is no longer available]

I listen to the podcast weekly (even though they are taking a small break during December) and it has helped me tremendously! I become more knowledgable every week by listening to Julie Ann McFann, Ph.D. talk about the current news in higher education.

IRB Applications - I am CLEAR for TAKEOFF!

My four IRB applications have finally been approved. I am quite surprised because it only took about a week - thank goodness! Now I don't have any excuses, I HAVE to do research.

WebCT Issues - This semester, I had a bright idea of posting a grading rubric and typed comments for each student in my class on WebCT. This has been quite interesting, yet very time consuming. This has also functioned as a strong source of accountability for me, because both the students and I have a copy of my comments.

I should write an article about WebCT for a distance learning journal.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/
Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?
Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!
If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Historically Black Colleges and Universities vs. Historically White Colleges and Universities

I attended WILEY COLLEGE!

I found this article http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/education/05wiley.html?ex=1354597200&en=cbbab7037f7e562e&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss this morning during my weekly Sunday news feed read and I started recollecting on my dissertation topic, "Supports for and Barriers to On-Time Graduation as Perceived by Undergraduate African American College Students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Historically White Colleges and Universities". My study was based on institutions that are located in Texas.

After graduating from high school, I was selected to attend one of Wiley College's Summer Programs for college credit. Attending Wiley College was one of the most eye opening experiences of my life. I was immersed in almost a completely monocultural environment and I learned about the HBCU environment. While attending Wiley, I met one of the most supportive professors that I would have in my college experience and he enabled me to see how I could make a difference in the life's of students by becoming a professor.

In my opinion, Wiley College is the best HBCU academic institution in the Northeast region of Texas. Even when I put my bias aside, the literature also alludes to this fact. I think that HBCUs that have achieved a large level of academic success should be given more federal funds to sustain and increase their academic achievement rate. At the beginning of the fall semester, there were a few articles in the Chronicle of Higher Education that highlighted a current push by HBCU presidents to obtain more federal funding.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!

Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/
Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?
Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!
If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

An End to a Long, Yet Productive Fall Semester!

I have almost finished my first semester as a full-time, tenure track faculty member! It has been a very long semester, but I have learned so much about the new institution, my academic department, and the students.

Another feat that I have accomplished is that I am GRADUATING on next Saturday! I am very excited about that chapter of my life coming to an end. So long ABD status!

I am currently deciding on my research goals for the next semester - service learning tops my list, intercultural communication takes a close second, and last but not least the dissertation articles.

Please let me know if you would like to collaborate!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!
Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/
Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?
Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!
If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

The First Blog Post on Millennial Professor

Writing my first post as an ALMOST post-doctoral researcher. I defend my dissertation next week on Monday, June 18th and I am PRAYING that everything goes well.

In this blog, which I plan to keep updated at least twice every week, will feature my current research projects, items that I find interesting in the higher education field, and some of my articles.

Have a wonderful week. Again, pray for my defense (literally) and I will give all of you an update.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

My Social Media Channels!

Of Course You Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards

I Am Also on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/

Have You Subscribed on YOUTUBE yet?

Become a Fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook!

If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/

Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com