ANNUAL GRADUATE SCHOOL HOOD PRESENTATION ...

PROFILES OF THE
DOCTORAL CANDIDATES 2012-2013
Neo Lawrence Ramoupi, Ph.D., History. B.A., University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, 1992; B.A., University of
KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, 1993; M.A., University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, 1999. Honors and
Awards: Advisor Award, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, 1995-1996; Ford Foundation International Fellowship,
2003-2006; Prestigious/Equity-DOL Scholarships for Doctoral Studies, National Research Foundation, South Africa, 2007-
2008. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Jean-Michel Mabeko-Tali. Dissertation Title: ““Izingoma zo Mzabalazo” Esiqithini! Role
of Songs in the African Liberation Struggle of South Africa, 1960-1991, A Culture History of Robben Island”. Research
Specialization: African History and Southern Africa. Present Position: Researcher, Council on Higher Education, Pretoria,
South Africa.
Patricia Karen Raper, Ph.D., Mass Communication and Media Studies. B.S., Northeastern University, 1976; M.A., Howard
University, 1981. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Barbara Hines. Dissertation Title: “Black Film and the Gospel: A Textual Analysis
of Christian-Themed African-American Films in the Twenty-First Century”. Research Specialization: African-American Film.
Neiunna L. Reed-Jones, Ph.D., Biology. B.A., Talladega College, 2005. Honors and Awards: Teaching Assistantship, 2005-
2013; Golden Key International Honour Society, 2012-2013; ICPD Science and Diversity Scholar, 2012-2013; Member,
Sigma Xi Honor Society, 2010-2013; CREST Fellowship, National Science Foundation, 2010; Member, Edward A. Bouchet
Graduate Honor Society, 2009-2013; College of Arts and Sciences Grant, Computational Biology, 2006-2007. Dissertation
Advisor: Dr. Broderick Eribo. Dissertation Title: “The Influence of Osmolytes on the Antimicrobial Activity of Silver
Nanoparticles”. Research Specialization: Biology/Microbiology. Present Position: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department
of Microbiology, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Rashika J. Rentie, Ph.D., Counseling Psychology. B.A., California State University, Long Beach, 2002; B.A., California State
University, Long Beach, 2002; M.A., California State University, Long Beach, 2006. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Ivory Toldson.
Dissertation Title: “Relationship Between Family, Personal and Emotional, Social and Environmental, and School Factors and
the Academic Success of Black Females in the 8th and 10th Grade”. Research Specialization: Counseling Psychology. Present
Position: Resident in Psychology, Accotink Academy, Springfield, Virginia.
Ashley Nichole Robertson, Ph.D., History. B.B.A., Bowie State University, 2008; M.A., Temple University, 2010. Honors
and Awards: Rayford and Ruth Logan History Endowed Scholarship; Charles and Williston Lofton Scholarship, 2012;
Maryland Department of Transportation Fellowship, 2007-2008; Full Academic Scholarship, Bowie State University, 2004-
2008. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Clark-Lewis. Dissertation Title: ““The Drums of Africa Still Beat in My Heart”: The
Internationalism of Mary McLeod Bethune and the National Council of Negro Women, 1895-1960” Research Specialization:
African Diaspora. Present Position: Lecturer, Department of History, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Vida Samuel, Ph.D., Communication and Culture. B.S.W., Wheelock College, 1989; M.A., New York University,
2006. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. William Starosta. Dissertation Title: “Bring Me an Orgasm: An Analysis of Inter-gender
Communication About Sexual Desires in Romantic Heterosexual Relationships of Women Over Forty
Years Old”. Research Specialization: Communication and Culture. Present Position: Teaching Associate, Instructor in Principles
of Speech, Department of Communication and Culture, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
28 Annual Hood Presentation Ceremony - Howard University Graduate School