Adrienne Darrah holds a Ph.D. in mass communications from the Penn State Bellisario College of Communications and serves as teaching faculty for the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts. Adrienne’s research centers on communications in philanthropy and nonprofit organizations. As an avid consumer of television and movies, Adrienne is also interested in the sociocultural impact they have on society, particularly as they relate to women. A first-generation college graduate, Adrienne holds a BA in art history, an MBA, and a MPA all from Penn State. Prior to earning her Ph.D., Adrienne spent her career in a fundraising, working in the arts at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and in higher education at the University of Virginia, the University of Portland, the University of Oregon, and Penn State. Adrienne lives in State College, PA, with her husband Bob and their son Turner and cats Lucifur and Mazikeen.

My PhD Journey As An International Student

Marika Strano, a first-year PhD student in English Literature at Swansea University, shares her journey as an international student in her PhD program. Despite the difficulties and rejections she faced before being accepted at Swansea, Marika was thrilled when she finally received her offer to study in the UK, but she also shares the challenges of being an international student and how it affects her mental health.

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Juggling Parenthood, Disability, Work and Academia

Is it possible to juggle being a single parent, working in paid employment, having a disability and being part of academia? Definitely possible, but it can be a demanding and overwhelming experience. This article discusses the struggles and achievements of one such PhD student juggling these areas, and hopes to encourage you to not give up and ask for help whenever you need it!

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