1. Dissertation Chairs
Dr. Marilou Ryder
Brandman University

2. Top tips for Selecting a Dissertation Chair!

3. Role of the Dissertation Chair

4. Guide student in the preparation of the proposal

5. Set clear expectations for the timely completion of the proposal

6. Facilitate ongoing communication
Bob, please call your committee members

7. Guide student through the data collection and writing

8. Set clear expectations for timely completion

9. Guide candidate toward achieving high level of quality

10. Prepare candidate for the oral defense

11. Why is it important that you have an outstanding dissertation chair?

12. It’s natural to assume your dissertation experience will go smoothly

13. What about department politics or problems with your topic?

14. A good dissertation chair can help you establish good work habits!

15. A good dissertation chair is integral to your success!

16. Top tips for finding your dissertation chair

17. Know yourself and your work style

18. Choose a chair who is supportive of your topic

19. Choose a chair who understands that graduation is the goal

20. If possible observe potential chairs in action

21. Ask practical questions

22. Do you have time for me?

23. How much time do I need with you?

24. What do you think is a reasonable time frame for completing a dissertation?

25. Are you available?

26. Make sure they will say “Yes”

27. Accept rejection gracefully

28. Know what they are doing professionally

29. Discuss expectations

30. Activity: Meet the chairs!!

31. Something like Speed Dating

32. Dissertation Chairs

33. Dissertation Chair Teams1
Dr. Don Crane
Dr. Pat White 2
Curtis McIntyre
Dr. Tamerin Capellino 3
Dr. Laurie Goodman
Dr. Jeff Lee 4
Dr. Carlos Rodriquez
Dr. Phil Pendley 5
Dr. Tim McCarty
Dr. Carol Anderson Woo 6
Dr. Jonathan Greenberg
Dr. Myrna Coté 7
Dr. Sam Bresler
Dr. Carlos Guzman 8
Dr. Lisbeth Johnson
Dr. Margaret Moodian 9
Dr. George Giokaris
Dr. Marilou Ryder 10
Mike Moodian
Dr. Doug DeVore 11
Dr. Bruce Newlin
Dr. Patrick Ainsworth 12
Dr. Linda Williams
Dr. Julie Hadden 13
Dr. Cindy Petersen (Thematics)

34. STUDENT’S ROLE
Share out a one minute “Elevator Speech” of your intended research.
Give Chairs your business card with research interests on the back.

35. CHAIR’S ROLE
Provide a brief introduction of their interests and how they prefer to work with students on the dissertation project
Provide some collective insight into each student’s topic and/or offer suggestions to help them further their research.
Basically this is a time for students to get to know faculty better, meet some prospective chairs and/or committee members and have an opportunity to receive constructive feedback from faculty chairs on their intended research interests.

36. 1:35-2:00 Round 1 2:00-2:25 Round 2 2:25-2:55 Round 3 2:55-3:15 Round 4
Four Rounds

37. Maximum 7 Per Table

38. Enjoy meeting prospective Chairs!!