Dominican receives PhD; gets hired by University of Virginia

Dr. Lashley on the day of her graduation
Dr. Lashley on the day of her graduation

The PhD Project, an award-winning program to create a more diverse corporate America, has announced that Project participant and Dominican, Dr. Kisha Lashley, has successfully defended her dissertation titled, “Entrepreneurship in Stigma: In Search of Audience Support in the Medical Cannabis Industry.”

She receives her Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University and has accepted a faculty position at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.

Dr. Lashley is one of only 182 female, minority management business school professors in the U.S., most of whom have become professors since The PhD Project was created in 1994.

The Project’s vision is to diversify corporate America by increasing the number of minority business professors (African-American, Hispanic-American and Native American), who attract more minority students to study business in college.

“Dr. Lashley has succeeded in the very difficult endeavor of becoming a business school professor,” said Bernard J. Milano, President of The PhD Project and president of the KPMG Foundation, founder and lead Sponsor of the program. “She has demonstrated dedication, hard work and intelligence in joining the rapidly growing ranks of minorities choosing to influence the next generation of business leaders as college professors. The PhD Project takes great pride in her achievements, and looks forward to following her success throughout her career.”

Dr. Lashley grew up in Loubiere with her sisters and mother, Mary Telemacque.

She attended the St. Luke’s Primary School in Pointe Michel, the Convent High School and the Clifton Dupigny Community College before teaching at the Goodwill Secondary School and Convent High School.

She left Dominica to pursue an undergraduate degree in Industrial Technology Management at Berea College, followed by a master’s degree in Technology Management at Vanderbilt University. After several years of working with entrepreneurs, she decided that her passions were in education, and ultimately, in understanding how entrepreneurs create something new out of nothing.

In 2010, she enrolled in the Pennsylvania State University to pursue a PhD in management, with an emphasis on strategy and entrepreneurship.

“I hope that my journey can serve to inspire other Dominican youths, who like myself may have big impossible dreams, but limited resources,” she told DNO. “The impossible is possible. Rest assured that although the road is tough, if you persevere in those dreams, people along the way will lift you when you fall. In the end, you will appreciate that people are more generous than not, and as such, that your achievements are not just yours, but that of all the people who made it possible. It truly does take a village. I hope to pay it forward by using my knowledge and skills to mentor those with similar aspirations.”

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31 Comments

  1. Concerned
    July 1, 2015

    Excellent. Though I barely remember you from college I am proud that you have gotten so far… I pray that you will give the Heavenly Father the praise and continue to look to Him.

  2. my head on
    June 25, 2015

    well done god bless you go out and keep doing your best one love to you and family / friends very good news make me happy

  3. LUNA
    June 25, 2015

    why is it u all students never
    go back home to give back
    SHAME

    • CJ
      June 25, 2015

      Luna,,,, give back in what way? Many people has indeed return only to be turned away by this government….I know tons of educated people who come back home and try for years with no avail…. so unless u open a give back center and keep statistics of who and when someone comes home to give back then you know nothing about what u are talking….

    • Country Man
      June 25, 2015

      We have tried and got shut down by the bureaucratic process and people who don’t value your contribution

  4. too late
    June 24, 2015

    Dr lasley what do you think of a prime minister who speaks like this ” we buying bottle water and we drinking it” , ” instead of buying bottle water we can drink our own water from a dahseen leaf”, ” de side walks bad in Roseau so when you walk in Roseau you walk up and you wak down”,

    also doctor what do you think about men in top positions luring young girls with the promise of hand outs and scholarships then when these young girls visit their house for ” meetings” the men in high positions exposing their private parts. Also doctor what are your views on men in top positions sleeping with each other wives. would like your fee back please doctor .and doc do you think there is a reason why some senior councils cannot ‘STAND UP or RISE at all against these things?

    Sincerely
    too late

  5. Ben Haynes PsyD
    June 24, 2015

    How wonderful it feels when we see a West Indian, or for that matter, a home grown brother or sister makes it on the international scene. I am proud to say that l made it, and l know how it feels. My wish for you now is to keep on proving to the world, and especially to your country that the sky is the limit, and you will touch it one day. That you will continue to be inspirational to them (all your country men and women), and they will follow. Congratulations, and thank God that the gift is offered to all that seek it in His name. Blessings, and love this and every day. Dr. Ben Haynes.

  6. June 24, 2015

    Congratulations Dr. Lashley :!:

    This represents a lot of hard work and I suspect a few sacrifices along the way. It also says something about the caliber of education you received in Dominica that gave you the foundation for advanced studies.

    Kisha, you have done your people proud :!:

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. D.D., international Evangelist.

  7. too late
    June 24, 2015

    oh by the way Doctor Lashley did you hear that our government sprayed Dominicans with expired tear gas and riddled a lady’s house with live round of bullets?

  8. too late
    June 24, 2015

    Congrats doctor you should come to Dominica to help us run our country and remove those duncecyat that talking about ‘dem fellas’ and those that call themselves “pit bull” that graduated from the jungle in guyana. Help use move our country forward cause we just have liars and men who give maypwee and trust me this is not helping in the advancement and intellectual capacity of our people. We need people like you who may at least be willing to debate.

    sincerely
    too late

    • Shaka zulu
      June 24, 2015

      Dominica is a lost cause. Dr. Fountain a PHd in economics with practical experience in helping struggling developing countries build strong economic foundations was rejected by the people of grand fond and Dominica. There are a bunch of dominicans graduating every year with PHds and I would not blame any of them for staying away and working to better themselves. You cannot help an ignorant man nor can you help people who do not want to help themselves. Did you not see how some idiots labelled him instead of saying welcome? We love to ask people to come home and help, but as soon as they tell us the painfully truth we are ready to crucify them even in the house of parliament.
      Congratulations to you young lady you are well on your way to great things. Continue to make your family proud.

  9. Edgar Hunter
    June 24, 2015

    Congratulations Kisha lashley. As your former Biology teacher i feel so proud of you

  10. June 24, 2015

    Congratulations on your achievement. You make Dominica Proud.

  11. Oh Yes
    June 24, 2015

    This is the way to go! Higher and higher! Congrats doc.

  12. MC
    June 24, 2015

    Congratulations!!!.. love this article and how it sums your life and achievement in a few words. Great that other fellow Dominicans can recognize that anything is possible once you set your mind to it….

  13. OneDestiny
    June 24, 2015

    Excellent…you go girl

  14. 1-3 student
    June 24, 2015

    Wow…she was my science teacher in 1st form. Congrats Ms. Lashley

  15. Commentry
    June 24, 2015

    whossssssssssssssssss

  16. ANTIFAKE
    June 24, 2015

    great job girl. let your deeds be your words

  17. KID ON THE BLOCK
    June 24, 2015

    Good job lady. That’s what we should be portraying about Dominica not useless demonstrations in front the UN on a Saturday when all business is closed. By the way my placard on Saturday will be reading..” BUY CAFE’ DOMINIQUE” “Labor Kar Twavayi”

    • June 24, 2015

      The Demonstration is not to get the attention of the Businesses per say but to reach the attention of those in the UN who have the power to reach out on behalf of the less fortunate who you have in bondage in Dominica, why don’t you try to put yourself in there place and stop hiding in America, life is good for you up there but for those you have condemned you couldn’t careless… today is theirs tomorrow will be your just a pitty there are Food Banks as well as other places up there that you can run too for help.
      Dr. Lashley congratulation well done… But she had to leave Dominica to accomplished her goal she wasn’t going to allow your kind to keep her in bondage or poverty like other Dominicans at home, she rise above it and with the help of God she moved on… Sometimes I really wonder if folks really understand those words” LABOR KAR TWAVAY” have they looked at it otherwise.

      • Dominican
        June 24, 2015

        Like UN don’t know about the dirty politics and attempts to overthrow by a bunch who publicly admitted that they cannot win by ballot. THe UN is aware of the façade but you are free to go waste your time.

      • Kid On The Block
        June 24, 2015

        @ Patriot, Those in the UN have much more to take care of than to pay attention to UWP USELESS POLITICAL demonstration. I believe you and the UWP demonstrators and Lennox are the ones who have the less fortunate in bondage in Dominica. You call yourself a PATRIOT…Search your mind and think..What have you honestly done for Dominica? Other than criticize and drag her(Dominica)image to the gutter. You ALL anti-government are a set of haters. Hungry for power and full of jealousy.

    • Gabby
      June 24, 2015

      Bonjay, you can jack a conversation…you don’t understand all news about Dominica is Dominican news? Especially if it involves something like a demonstration that is political?

      Anyway. Congrats to the young lady. Very inspiring message in her words towards the end. Sometimes, I feel like we make so much out of stories like this, when it is so commonplace for people to get degrees elsewhere–but it is also all too easy to forget the struggle to follow your dreams when circumstances were not in your favour. She has done well, and let us hope many of our other young–and old–smart students can do the same.

  18. best for country
    June 24, 2015

    you go girl. make your mum, people CHS and country proud. congratulations and stay strong .beautiful.

  19. KLaw
    June 24, 2015

    Congrats Dr! Interesting thesis! So you say legalize it?

  20. Lapointe massive
    June 24, 2015

    CONGRATULATIONS. YOU WERE DESTINED TO GO FAR!!!

  21. Royette T
    June 24, 2015

    CONGRATULATIONS Dr. Lashley! I especially appreciate the fact that you have acknowledged the importance of supportive relationships. It definitely takes a village. In the same breath your achievements have shown tremendous dedication and perseverance. I salute you! All the best!

  22. Mince
    June 24, 2015

    Congrats Dr .Lashley!!!! I am happy to see my people achieve so much.

  23. Amandy
    June 24, 2015

    Congratulations again Kish! The sky’s the limit!

  24. estate
    June 24, 2015

    Great job my fellow Dominican…I love to see my fellow people rise. Congrats Dr. Lashley.

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