Dr. Ziba’s journey from community college to UCLA, Yale, and UPenn shaped her commitment to building inclusive pathways in STEM and healthcare education. In this Meet the Mentors interview, she reflects on the power of mentorship, belonging, and supporting underrepresented students as they navigate research, graduate school, and advanced careers in the sciences.

Graduate school can be freeing for students, including neurodiverse learners, who felt boxed in by traditional classrooms. That freedom shaped Dr. Charisse’s journey from overcoming challenges to earning her Ed.D. at Columbia University. Today, she mentors through Another Degree, offering graduate school admissions consulting, dissertation coaching, and career guidance. Her work centers equity, resilience, and well‑being, empowering every student to define success on their ow

Much of the conversation around graduate school focuses on technical skills and subject matter expertise, but soft skills like communication, resilience, and teamwork are just as critical. In this article, mentor Renee, MLIS, explores how graduate school can help you build these transferable skills, and how mentorship can support you in developing them with intention and towards graduate student success.

Dr. Taylor, MD, MHS, brings a wealth of experience in medical education, public health research, and curriculum development to her mentorship at Another Degree. From first‑generation student to medical doctor and fellowships at Harvard and Yale, she now supports mentees with medical school admissions, residency applications, graduate programs, research, and career coaching, emphasizing resilience, presence, and equity in education.

This guide outlines key distinctions in U.S. graduate education, including academic degrees like the PhD and professional tracks such as the MBA, JD, and MD. It offers practical advice on evaluating programs, reaching out to faculty, understanding institutional differences, and considering the evolving future of graduate school education. Ideal for students navigating advanced study for the first time.

Returning to grad school later in life brings insight - and challenges. In this interview, Dr. Josh, a tenured professor and former Fulbright scholar, shares his journey from carpenter to PhD, his advice for non-traditional and first-gen students, and how he supports applicants through Another Degree. Now mentoring in admissions consulting, dissertation coaching, and career advising.

Meet Dr. Jessica, a globally recognized Indigenous scientist, climate justice leader, and best-selling author, in the first article of our Meet the Mentors blog series. She shares insights on graduate school, mentorship, and decolonizing environmentalism. Available for one-on-one consulting through Another Degree, Dr. Jessica empowers students to align research, activism, and career impact.