Summer Dissertation Intensive Empowers Morgan State Doctoral Candidates

This July, the Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy (DASLP) at Morgan State University hosted its annual Summer Dissertation Intensive, a weeklong writing retreat designed exclusively for DASLP doctoral students. Held in Banneker Hall, the 2025 intensive was expanded to seven workdays, giving participants the protected time, structure, and community they need to make real progress on their dissertations.

Each day included breakfast, a morning check-in, structured writing time, and one-on-one or small-group coaching. Students received individualized feedback from faculty and trained writing coaches as they worked on dissertation proposals, literature reviews, and methodology chapters. Daily lunch and snacks, generously provided by the Office of the Provost, supported scholar well-being and focus.

Midweek, students delivered lightning talks, practicing how to present their research clearly and concisely for peers and faculty. Additional workshops focused on managing writing blocks and large-scale research timelines.

“This intensive gives our students what they often need most: time, structure, and community,” said Dr. Frim Ampaw, Department Chair. “We’re proud to support them in moving their research forward.”

The Dissertation Intensive builds on the scholar transformation workshops initiated by Dean Prime, Dr. Ellington, Dr. Shockley, and Dr. Ben Welsh. It reflects DASLP’s continued commitment to equity-focused, transformative research and scholar development.

Students described the experience as energizing and productive. One participant shared, “This was the most productive I’ve ever been on my dissertation. I finally feel like I have a plan.” 

Another student noted, “The sense of community and accountability was exactly what I needed to push forward.”

The Department looks forward to offering the Dissertation Intensive again in summer 2026.