Aegis Symbiosis: Leaders supporting women through professional development

• In Event: Roundtable Session 1
  In Refereed Roundtable Session: Sharing the mist: An interdisciplinary journey of international women doctoral students

Proposal

As a member of and an inaugural fellow of Alimah International Female PhD Exchange, I have been shaped by an interdependence of academic disciplines (interdisciplinary scholastics); participated through an interrelation with global educated women; and have aspects of a transformative political frame with emphasis on power dynamics. When I answered the call to a social media post asking for contributions to an online community, I was eager to sign-up yet hesitant to hear a response. In a post-pandemic world, I found that some agencies took part in reaching out to others, but sometimes failed to follow-up or follow-through.
My studies in interdisciplinary leadership and non-profit/social entrepreneurship led me to more in-depth research on myself as a role model of innovation. I have conducted a series of batteries to assess the author-as-leader – in other words, a profile – to illustrate the validity, reliability, and trustworthiness of my leadership.
The purpose of this background work, and my place within the Alimah International Parthenon of educated women across the globe, is to showcase my acumen as a researcher and to flex my political muscle as a leader in education.
My personal connection with Alimah International was one which amplified my doctoral journey. Through my participation with the organization, I was able to fellowship with women of varying intersectionality; yet, we were unified by the pursuit of wisdom. For example, in late winter of 2024, I responded to a popular social media outlet’s post which asked for participants within a virtual exchange for female PhD students from Africa and the US. Held online and paired with activities between sessions, applications to participate were offered through a QR code on programming slated for March 13-April 24, 2024.
More specifically, and as echoed on my personal LinkedIn page, #AlimahInternational made space for me to join “their inaugural cohort of interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural exchanges, and social justice advocacy”. Professional development workshops facilitated by Dr. Nana Arthur-Mensah, Dr. Noro Andriamanalina, Dr. Nicole Dillard, and Dr. Meixi helped to augment my pracademic approach as a leader, educator, and woman.
My research in Organizational Leadership highlights the importance of distance education being considered as useful assistive technology. While serving as a change agent, Alimah International’s Spring 2024 work showcased action research in which unique individuals – considered as burgeoning experts within their own fields – shared space in a professional learning community. The result was a tapestry, woven together with our voices, that projected a symphony of women scholars: future doctors on the global stage. My life has been enriched by my alliance with them. I have led a seminar on story-telling; been extended co-writing opportunities; and made mentorship connections. While this sisterhood born on social media may have been overlooked by some, ultimately, I may leverage my position as an umbrella for those needing shelter within the mist.

Author

• Monique Burey-Ballard, Governors State University