Faculty and students gather during the SOE’s first PEN meeting.

On Saturday, Aug. 18, the SOE’s new Ph.D. in Education Network, a.k.a. “PEN,” hosted its first welcome brunch at the home of Susan McClelland, SOE chair of teacher education.

The new group includes 10 doctoral students from various education fields. PEN is designed to give incoming students the opportunity to meet faculty and peers in SOE doctoral programs. PEN is a support group that seeks to foster collaboration, mentoring and networking among doctoral students. Co-founders Shimikqua Ellis and Elizabeth Sweeney encouraged attendees to get involved and bring more colleagues to the next meeting on Oct. 20 in Guyton Hall.

“When I started the English Education doctoral program, I was seeking a mentor and support,” Ellis said. “A doctoral program can be a difficult and lonely process, so I decided to encourage, support, and mentor other students that decide to start this journey.”