Dissertation Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Selection

Selecting the right dissertation committee is crucial for a successful doctoral journey.  While time commitment is certainly a factor, you should also prioritize building a committee of faculty you respect and who can offer valuable mentorship.  Ideally, these will be professors you've had classes with and whose expertise aligns with your research interests. Don't shy away from professors who challenged you in coursework – their guidance can be especially valuable in pushing your dissertation to its full potential. Remember, these faculty members can become long-term mentors and collaborators, so choose wisely to maximize your academic and professional growth.

Committee Selection Guidelines

The dissertation advisory committee has a core of four members. This core must include a minimum of two faculty members from the graduate program (with one being the major professor as chair or co-chair), and one representative from outside the graduate program. All members of the core must be members of the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kentucky and three (including the major professor) must possess full Graduate Faculty status. See the section below on Requesting Service for other considerations. 

• Chair. The chair of your committee will be the person you work most closely with. They are going to guide you the most, keep you on track, read everything more than once, ask hard questions, and oversee the full committee. The Chair must hold "full" status as a graduate faculty member at the University of Kentucky. Please see the list below of qualifying faculty members. If you really want a chair that only holds "associate" status, you may select them as a "co-chair" along with a faculty member with "full" status. 

• Member #1: AAD. This member must also be from the Department of Arts Administration and have "full" graduate faculty status. 

• Member #2: AAD or UK. This member may be in the Department of Arts Administration with "full" or "associate" graduate faculty status. Alternatively, they may also be in another department at the University of Kentucky if they hold "full" or "associate" graduate faculty status.

• Member #3: External. You must have one external member on your committee. "External member" refers to someone outside the Department of Arts Administration. This can be one of the following:

  • A faculty member in another department or college at the University of Kentucky. They may have full or associate status.

  • A faculty member at another university. 

  • A field professional who you request Volunteer Faculty Status for from the Department of Arts Administration, College of Fine Arts, and the UK Graduate School. (This process does take some time. You need to allow at least four months from your Qualifying Examination start date to make this request.)  

Department of Arts Administration Graduate Faculty - Full Status

Dr. Tom Borrup
Dr. Yuha Jung
Professor Jill Schinberg
Professor Mark Shanda
Dr. Rachel Shane
Dr. Jaleesa Wells

Department of Arts Administration Graduate Faculty - Associate Status

Professor Tara Baker
Professor Nancy Denholm
Professor Steve Hoffman
Professor Michael Ibrahim
Professor Heather Kuruvilla
Dr. Zach Marshall
Dr. Winter Phong
Dr. Anthony Rhine

Requesting Service 

Before reaching out, research potential committee members. Look for professors whose expertise aligns with your dissertation topic. Their publications and department profiles are great resources. They may do research in the area you are researching but you may also wish to include them because they are an expert in a specific research methodology or theoretical framework.  

Discuss your choices with your dissertation chair; they can provide valuable insights into a professor's suitability for your project.

Crafting a Strong Email

Professional email communication is best. Briefly introduce yourself, mentioning your name, program, and advisor. Clearly state your request – you'd like them on your dissertation committee.  Connect their expertise to your work.  Mention a specific publication or research area that resonates with your project.  Keep your email concise and professional, proofreading carefully before sending.

• Several AAD doctoral students secured their outside members with good research and a cold email! If your research aligns, faculty are often interested in helping you succeed.

Scheduling a Meeting

If you'd like to discuss your research further, offer to meet during their office hours or suggest alternative times. Remember to be respectful of their time.

Additional Tips

Enthusiasm is key. Express your genuine interest in their work and how their insights will benefit your dissertation. Be realistic – consider their workload and research focus. Don't overload them if they might not have the time or relevant expertise. 

Have a backup plan in mind in case your first choice declines. If you don't hear back after a week, a polite follow-up email is appropriate.

Dissertation Committee Selection Notification 

Please submit your notification of your Dissertation Advisory Committee using the form below.

Dissertation Advisory Committee Notification to Department