Angela T. Sanders
My journey to earning a Doctor of Philosophy at Prairie View A&M University is a testimony of faith, resilience, and purpose. I was literally born and raised in public housing in Marianna, Arkansas, the sixth of nine children. My mother, Rosie Lee Sanders, a woman of extraordinary courage, returned to school after a divorce, earning her GED, nursing license, and cosmetology credentials. She taught us to dream boldly and never to let our circumstances define our future. Her message was clear: “If other children can go to college, so can mine.” Those words planted the seed that carried me forward.
My path in education began unexpectedly. Although my bachelor’s degree was in psychology, limited opportunities in that field opened the door to teaching. What I thought would be temporary became my calling. Over the years, I served as a classroom teacher, gifted and talented coordinator, educational diagnostician, 504 coordinator, classroom management trainer, principal, and counselor. Every role deepened my passion for helping students and supporting educators.
Coming to PVAMU felt like coming home. I earned my first master’s degree here, an experience that shaped me into a Certified School Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor because of the encouragement of the faculty and the sense of community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, PVAMU Graduate School invited alumni to a virtual information session. I attended twice, prayed, and trusted that a blessing delayed was not a blessing denied. When I was accepted, I knew it was divine timing because I had applied before.
As a doctoral student, I relocated, accepted a position in a local school district, and immersed myself deeply in the program. I participated in the International Travel Program, where I studied the education system and led professional development in Belize under the leadership of Dr. Douglas Hermond, my dissertation chair. Traveling abroad, visiting schools, speaking with educators, and leading professional development on teamwork became some of the greatest achievements of my doctoral experience. I even fulfilled a lifelong dream of staying on an island with limited amenities, an experience that strengthened my gratitude and global perspective.
I also served as a Graduate School Assistant, which allowed me to witness firsthand the processes that help students succeed from recruitment to commencement. It affirmed my belief that PVAMU has a “no-fail” system if students take advantage of the resources available. The Graduate School’s workshops, templates, weekly check-ins with my chair, and ongoing support from faculty and librarians ensured that I always had what I needed to move forward.
My dissertation was inspired by my work in a local school district as a school counselor/social-emotional teacher. I was invited to a Multi-Tiered System of Supports meeting. Teachers voiced concerns that students lacked foundational skills due to pandemic disruptions and wanted to reteach basic reading skills. My advice was solicited; I agreed with the teachers. Instead of listening, leadership encouraged them to refer students to special education. Our concerns were dismissed, and we were labeled “toxic.” Later, the district received an F rating from the state. That experience ignited my dissertation topic: Teachers’ Perceptions of System Dynamics Impacting Fourth Grade Reading Post COVID-19.
My doctoral journey was not without challenges. Financial hardships forced me to sit out temporarily. But through scholarships and the support of Delta Kappa Gamma, and the encouragement of Delna Bryant and Pauline Walker, I returned stronger and more determined. My siblings, Reginald, Regina, Ronnie, Royce, Tonjala, Lorca, Derrick, Frederick, prayer group, classmates, and friends, especially three friends who passed during my journey, carried me with calls, prayers, laughter, and unwavering support.
After graduation, I look forward to mentoring future educators, offering professional development, and serving in higher education. With more than 25 years of experience working in education and training, my purpose now is to guide others toward successful, meaningful careers. I will pay it forward.
PVAMU has given me more than a degree. It affirmed who I am. It strengthened my voice. It helped me embrace my love of rural living. It gave me a global worldview. And it reminded me that no matter where you start, your story can rise.
This daughter of Rosie Lee Sanders of Marianna, Arkansas, who was once referred to special education and later a high-school senior recovering from a devastating car accident that left me with an arm and both legs broken, now holds two master’s degrees, six professional certifications, a counseling license, and a Ph.D. My journey is living proof of what faith, hard work, and the right community can make possible.
To every PVAMU student and future doctoral candidate: stay well-rounded, seek support, use your ID to access campus resources, attend events, lean on your graduate school, listen to your chair, and stay humble. Most of all, help someone else along the way.
I am a proud PVAMU alumna, a life member of the Alumni Association, and eternally grateful for the way Prairie View A&M University helped shape my destiny. I am certain that the souls who once toiled on the soil of Alta Vista Plantation are smiling, witnessing how far we have come and how their legacy continues through us.
Click here to view a complete listing of this semester’s notable graduates.
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