Greenville native earns her PhD.

After years of coursework, research, and dissertation writing, Greenville native Christine Brockman recently earned her Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering from Oklahoma State University (OSU), which is not an HBCU, even though many Black women overwhelmingly earn their doctorates from such institutions. More on that later.

Brockman earned her BS at Georgia Tech.

Dr. Brockman says it was intimidating to stand before her Ph.D. committee and defend her research, fielding questions from professors to ensure she understood the technical details and the significance of her reported results. Christine’s dissertation research involved the mechanical testing of silicon carbide ceramic matrix composite (CMC) systems at temperatures up to 2700°F. CMCs are advanced materials valued for their high temperature performance, making them desirable for next-generation aerospace, energy, and defense applications.

Christine’s research was primarily supported through a NASA Fellowship, which she began in the Fall of 2021. Throughout her fellowship, Christine conducted her experiments at both OSU-Tulsa and NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH.

Christine’s proud parents, Robert and Ernestine Brockman, and mentors from NASA were among the colleagues, family, and friends who watched her defense remotely via Zoom.

Brockman now works with a team of ceramic engineers at CoorsTek in Golden, Colorado, a company founded in 1910. CoorsTek is a global leader in the manufacturing of technical ceramics and advanced materials for various applications. Christine says she is excited to continue to contribute to ceramics research and development.

In South Carolina and nationally, Black women significantly outnumber Black men in earning PhDs, often by a ratio of more than 2:1. However, both groups are underrepresented overall, with Black women facing unique barriers like fewer mentors and leadership roles despite higher degree attainment. White data specific only to SC is limited; national trends show Black women leading in doctoral attainment at HBCUs, yet still facing underrepresentation in senior academic/administration roles, highlighting systemic gaps in support and advancement for Black individuals, especially women, in higher education.