Our Mission
Our mission is to foster equitable pathways to advanced research doctorates by supporting the recruitment, retention, success, and well-being of historically excluded scholars, enabling them to thrive in academia and beyond.
Cohort Sistas is dedicated to advancing racial and gender equity in doctoral education.
We envision a future where historically excluded scholars thrive in academia and beyond: fully represented, deeply supported, and powerfully leading.
Through Cohort Sistas, we are building an ecosystem where belonging is the norm, community is intergenerational, and pathways to and through doctoral study and meaningful careers are clear, equitable, and accessible.
3%
Black women earn only
of research doctorates in the United States each year, a figure that has not changed in nearly 20 years, despite making up 7% of the population
it takes black women an average of
2.7
additional years to complete their doctoral degrees, compared to all doctorates, often due to a lack of quality mentorship and support
black doctorates accrue
3x
more graduate school debt than other racial-ethnic groups as they are less likely to receive funding to cover the cost of their doctoral education
We work to…
provide mentorship, professional development, research and career resources
build belonging, foster active community engagement, and cultivate opportunities for visibility
create clear and equitable pathways to doctoral study and meaningful careers
Because we know that…
It will result in greater academic access, leadership representation, and long-term economic mobility for historically excluded scholars and their communities
This transformation strengthens institutions, expands economic mobility for our members, and drives sustainable, systems-level change that ensures future generations inherit pathways designed for their success
Our Guiding Values (aka our ABCs)
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We empower one another with access to tools, resources, and opportunities to make meaningful progress in our education, careers, well-being, and lives.
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We cultivate communities where belonging results from inclusive practices permeating all our processes, ensuring everyone feels connected in service to the greater purpose of success for all.
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We prioritize the needs and aspirations of our community, actively engaging them in collaborative decision-making processes and responding thoughtfully to their feedback.
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We celebrate and embrace diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, recognizing that they enrich our collective journey and drive innovation.
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We advocate for fairness, justice, and inclusivity, ensuring every scholar we serve, regardless of race, gender, or background, has access to the resources and support they need to succeed.
Our History
Founded in July 2020, in the wake of increased racial justice mobilization and the destabilization of in-person educational networks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cohort Sistas has grown to a community of over 4,500 historically underrepresented doctoral students, applicants, and degree holders from around the world.