Inspiration

National University's collection includes the following helpful book chapter with guidance from the Advanced Research Center.

A new Open Educational Resource (OER) is available to guide academics on their scholarly paths.

Check out Servant Scholarship: Weaving a Lasting Tapestry. 

There are many times in life when we need someone to help us across a bridge to the next part of our journey. Achieving scholarly presentations and publications is definitely one of those times. The Advanced Research Center (ARC) exists to be that bridge for emerging and continuing scholars. Whether you are about to finish your degree, just graduated, or graduated long ago, ARC’s goal is to help with the question, “What do I do now, and how do I do it?!”

Many scholars’ stories go something like my own. I pursued my PhD at the University of Pittsburgh part-time for eight years while working as a K-5 teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. When the time finally came for my dissertation defense, I was excited to share my many years of hard scholarly work. I had a truly amazing dissertation committee, full of renowned scholars who are also caring and wonderful people. I knew that they truly mentored me and wanted me to succeed, both in the defense and as I moved beyond the PhD.

Life hands us challenges in life – rivers to cross and mountains to climb. My Dad died suddenly three weeks before my defense, on the day after I submitted the final copy of my manuscript. I know that he knew I had submitted my manuscript and would be a Doctor soon. I was a busy mom of a toddler and was working part-time while going to graduate school. Those are a lot of difficult rivers and mountains all at once!

My esteemed dissertation committee was kind and extremely complimentary of my work. They said I should publish, present, and go forth to do great scholarly things. But I had no idea how to accomplish those sorts of things beyond the degree. I was proud to become a finalist for Dissertation of the Year for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages - a very prestigious award. Even after that, it took me years of trial and error to be published and to present at academic conferences. I found myself grasping at every possible opportunity, such as small blogs, local presentations, and so forth. Over time, I found my way as a successful scholar.

My story of challenges in pursuing scholarly endeavors echoes a common refrain for all generations of academics. Technology has opened new avenues since I graduated in 2004, but the shared story remains the same. Scholars need the bridge of ARC, with guidance and mentoring beyond the degree. Finding places to publish and present can be a bit of a treasure hunt, but ARC gives you a map with a sturdy and supportive bridge to get you there.

Maggie Broderick

Founding Director of ARC

Resident of Pittsburgh, PA – A city of many bridges