ANNUAL GRADUATE SCHOOL HOOD PRESENTATION ...

PROFILES OF THE
DOCTORAL CANDIDATES 2012-2013
Tomeka Burdelle Scales, Ph.D., Communication and Culture. B.A., Washington College, 2007; M.A., New York University,
2009. Honors and Awards: Member, Edward Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, 2013; Member, Golden Key International
Honour Society, 2013; Member, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 2013; Member, Omicron
Delta Kappa National Honor Society, 2006; Member, Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society, 2006; Member, Society of Junior
Fellows, 2006; Member, Psi Chi Honor Society, 2005; Comprehensive Exam Distinction (Ph.D. program), 2012; Teaching
Fellowship, 2011-2013; New York University Opportunity Scholarship, 2007; Middendorf Foundation Scholarship, 2006;
Black Entertainment Stellar Performance Award, 2006; Hodson-Gilliam Trust Scholarship, 2003. Dissertation Advisor: Dr.
William J. Starosta. Dissertation Title: “The “Real” Deal: The Influence of Black Reality Television on Identification in Female
College Students”. Research Specialization: Entertainment and Media Communications. Present Position: Communication
Coordinator and Teaching Associate, Department of Communication and Culture, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Laytrayal Antionette Simmons, Ph.D., Counseling Psychology. B.S., Florida A&M University, 1994; M.S., Georgia State
University, 2002. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Ivory Toldson. Dissertation Title: “Examining the Relationship of Self-Efficacy,
Self-Motivation, Coping Styles and Body Image Satisfaction on Weight Loss Among Black Women”. Research Specialization:
Counseling Psychology. Present Position: Psychology Associate, BASICS Group Practice, LLC, Forestville, Maryland.
Chandiwana Sithole, Ph.D., African Studies and Research. B.A., Swarthmore College, 1997; M.S., University of Zimbabwe,
2004. Honors and Awards: Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship, 2009-2011; David L. Boren Language Fellowship, National
Security Education Program (NSEP), 2008-2009; Patricia Roberts Harris Graduate Fellowship in Public Affairs, Ralph Bunche
Center, 2007-2008. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Luis Serapiao. Dissertation Title: “From Lancaster House Through ‘Crisis’: A
Critical Analysis of Post-Conflict Zimbabwe From 1979 to 2009”. Research Specialization: African Studies-Development and
Public Policy.
Janice E. Smith, Ph.D., Mass Communication and Media Studies. B.S., North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro,
1974; M.A., The Ohio State University, 1975. Honors and Awards: Inez Kaiser Graduate Students of Color Award, Public
Relations, Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), 2009. Dissertation Advisor:
Dr. Carolyn Byerly. Dissertation Title: “Fatherhood Public Service Messages Targeted to African-American Men: Content and
Perception”. Research Specialization: Mass Communication and Media Relations. Present Position: Chief Operating Officer,
Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL), Washington, D.C.
Christopher St. Vil, Ph.D., Social Work. B.S.W., Buffalo State College, 2000; M.S.W.,State University of New York, Stony
Brook, 2002. Honors and Awards: Graduate Education Diversity Fellowship, American Evaluation Association, 2010-2011;
Task Force Member, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Dellums Commission, 2005-2006. Dissertation Advisor:
Dr. Tricia Bent-Goodley. Dissertation Title: “Neighborhood Perception and Risk Taking Attitudes Among Adolescent and
Young Adult Men”. Research Specialization: Masculinity Ideology, Adolescent Development and Minority Youth. Present
Position: Project Coordinator, Engaging Men of Faith in Preventing Violence Against Women Project, School of Social Work,
Howard University, Washington, D.C.; Adjunct Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Sociology and Social Work,
College of Arts and Sciences, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.
Annual Hood Presentation Ceremony - Howard University Graduate School 29