The Black Academic's Guide Tenure-Without Losing Your Soul

by Kerry Ann Rockquemore, Tracey Laszloffy

For an African American scholar, who may be the lone minority in a department, navigating the tenure minefield can be a particularly harrowing process. Kerry Ann Rockquemore and Tracey Laszloffy go beyond standard professional resources to serve up practical advice for black faculty intent on playing and winning the tenure game.

Addressing head-on how power and the thorny politics of race converge in the academy, The Black Academic s Guide is full of invaluable tips and hard-earned wisdom. It is an essential handbook that will help black faculty survive and thrive in academia without losing their voices, or their integrity.

Genres: Academia, Nonfiction, Academic, Grad School, Education, Self Help, Professional Development

205 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2008

Reviews

[Danica S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely essential reading for every academic. A deft and useful guide to coping with (and dismantling) white supremacy in academia.

[Bettina Judd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential for Black academics who are just starting out on the tenure track. Such sage advice that really breaks through some of the unspoken rules of the academy.

[Ebony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was most helpful because it reminded me that A) I am not alone and B) my department is really good to me and C) It appears that I am on the right track.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read, whatever stage in which you find yourself in the Academy.

[Parlei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book and should be read in one's final year of grad school/before going on the job market. I admit that in reading the chapter titles I didn't think this book would offer me that much more insight into something I'd been studying, observing, and inquiring about for years. I was wrong. Each chapter is succinct, clear, and masterfully written. As they say in the introduction, this book is for EVERYONE, but it is specifically constructed to keep in mind the systemic racism upon which the academy is built. As such, these are strategies that you must integrate into your process if you are to "game the system," as they say. I am deeply appreciative of Rockquemore and Laszloffy's work.

[Leilani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Lays out concrete strategies for success, as well as the pitfalls black faculty face in academia and how to overcome them. I would recommend this book to *any junior professor* because it is incredibly useful, but it is especially helpful for black faculty.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, read this book if you’re in the beginning of your career. This book has phenomenal advice. More importantly, it gave me a clearer view into what my Black colleagues face on the job.

[Virginia]

A MUST READ for all new faculty.

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read for anyone hoping to gain tenure

[Julia Hendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a wealth of good analysis and advice here that will benefit any academic. As a tenured white academic, I found the authors' discussion useful both from the perspective of mentoring junior colleagues and for myself, especially the insight into time management.

[Carla3000 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great advice for all sectors of our lives as junior academics (teaching, balancing personal life, writing, etc.).

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate the practical advice. I have put many of the suggestions in place and look forward to the results.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually a good book for some common sense strategies/stuff that a good mentor might pass on, for approaching any new job situation.

[Kara Poe Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful book that sheds light on racial politics in academia and the specific challenges scholars of color face.

[Melissa]

Useful information for anyone going into an academic career, especially nontraditional students and first-generation scholars; essential for scholars of color.

[Tanya Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical advice.