About Us
As a first-generation college student, Vernetta didn't know what she didn't know when starting a doctoral program in English in 1999 on an academic fellowship. She was accustomed to balancing multiple responsibilities, having worked and been a student since high school. She also had success in meeting her goals. Vernetta earned her B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in four years and her M.A. in English from North Carolina A&T State University in a year and a half, so she expected to obtain her Ph.D. in four years.
However, doctoral study involved new challenges, and Vernetta faced the reality of being ABD (All But Dissertation). After her fellowship ended, Vernetta obtained a full-time position as a Program Manager at a private college, working 50+ hours a week while writing her dissertation. In the midst of work and academic demands, Vernetta relocated an ill family member from another state to live with her. The family, financial and personal challenges persisted as the daunting task of writing a dissertation remained Vernetta's reality, yet she persevered through four dissertation chairs. Throughout her educational and professional journey, Vernetta benefitted from compassionate, patient mentorship, and God placed ONE faculty member in Vernetta's life as a mentor, consistent encourager and source of insight into higher education culture to help transition her from ABD to PhD.
Founder - Vernetta K. Mosley, PhD
Eight years after starting a doctoral program, Vernetta became Dr. Vernetta K. Mosley (Williams). After earning a PhD, she founded Cultivate the Writer to support universities, government agencies and companies in providing budding scholars (graduate students/early career faculty) as well as professionals (emerging/established leaders and employees) with the communication (oral and written) and critical thinking skills needed to thrive. Vernetta has experienced and understands the value of training as a means to guide and instill confidence into others to help them realize their potential. Also, she has had to apply her skills in varied professional environments, so Vernetta knows that technical knowledge, formal education and subject matter expertise produce limited success. Therefore, facilitating educational and career advancement by developing translatable and transferrable skills motivates Vernetta professionally.
As founder and principal consultant of Cultivate the Writer (CTW), Vernetta is committed to partnering with organizations to improve learning and training programs that cultivate writers, effective communicators, critical thinkers and skilled leaders across academia and industry. During her tenure as a faculty member and academic administrator, Vernetta developed a passion for program administration and teaching. She continues to embrace opportunities to strategize, design and innovate learning programs that explain complex concepts in understandable ways and give practical "how to" steps to meet organizational goals. Vernetta has spearheaded the development of the on-demand Cultivate the Writer (CTW) scholarly writing courses and instructional materials/services for commercial authors. As an author, Vernetta has published writing guides (I Am Not a Writer series) used in graduate level writing/research-based courses and graduate school acclimation programs.
Organizations Serviced
