Professional Overview

Over twenty years of teaching literature and culture courses at diverse universities and publishing on gender themes in African American literature and film. A proven record of transformative and collaborative leadership in academic program development including: expanding undergraduate and graduate curriculum, internationalizing the African American Studies curriculum, retaining and recruiting students, strategic planning on the program, college, and university levels, relationship-building with alumni and donors, and building ties between the university and community. Demonstrated skill in planning and implementing initiatives that support college and university goals, especially those with an emphasis on diversity and interdisciplinary studies.

Administrative highlights

Director  (July 1, 2008-May 31, 2016)
African American and African Diaspora Studies Program (AADS)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 
                                                                                
  • Fundraising, includes scholarships, planned gifts, donations, and grants 
  • Initiated Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program (online; collaborated on face-to-face; developed 2 of 5 courses)
  • Expanded AADS undergraduate course offerings, including internship course and Black Women in the US (developed 3 of 8 new courses) 
  • Developed “Conversations with the Community” Series (monthly evening discussions open to public)      
  • Supervised hiring of tenure track and adjunct faculty 
  • Collaborated with faculty to develop P & T, annual review, third-year review, and post-tenure review guidelines and revision of AADS governing policy
  • Led faculty in revising Program’s mission and writing Strategic Plan
  • Directed Program’s faculty in developing comprehensive list of concepts for student assessment  
  •  Initiated Ambassadors program--mentoring and leadership program for majors 
  •  Updated and expanded approved electives (AADS and Departments) 
  •  Established Advisory Board of community members and alumni
  •  Raised profile of program by starting AADS Newsletter and social media accounts 
  • Collaborated to establish institutional agreements with University of Botswana and University of Ghana
  • Organized annual conference

Other Academic experience (recent)


  • Chair, African American and African Diaspora Studies, Third-Year Review Committee, Fall 2020.
  • Organized Linda Carlisle Professorship Black Feminist Scholars’ Symposium, Panelists included: Dr. Tracy Sharpley-Whiting, Dr. Sharon Holland, Dr. Jennifer Nash, 300 participants, October 15, 2020.
  • Chair, Personnel Committee of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, 2018-2021.
  • Faculty Senate, 2016-2020 (Committees: Faculty Welfare and University Promotion and Tenure Committee)
  • Managing editor, CLAJ (College Language Association Journal), Spring 2017-Present.
  • President, Langston Hughes Society, 2014-2017.
  • English Area Representative, College Language Association, 2012-2014.
  • Program Evaluation, Mercer University's Africana Studies Program. March 2014.
  • Member, Strategic Planning Council for College of Arts and Sciences, UNCG, 2009-2010.
  • Member, University’s Strategic Planning Committee: Education and Leadership, Collaboration committees, UNCG, 2008-2009.

leadership development

Spring, 2021
UNCG Women Scholars of Color Leadership Program
Center of Creative Leadership

January-November 2015
Professional Development Leadership Institute. University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

October 29-31, 2014
ACE Regional Women’s Leadership Forum. Seattle, Washington.

January 31-Feburary 1, 2013
UNC Administrative Chair’s Retreat. UNC, Chapel Hill Center for Continuing Education.

September 10 - November 13, 2010
“BRIDGES 2010: The Personal and Professional Journey of Transformational Leadership.” Bridges: Academic Leadership for Women. UNC, Chapel Hill Center for Continuing Education. 

July 14-17, 2010
National Council for Black Studies Administrator’s Workshop. Atlanta, GA. 


Diversity and IncluSion Service and recognition

  • Coordinator of Diversity Initiatives, College of Arts and Sciences. Fall 2015-Spring 2017.
  • Workshop facilitator, “New Ideas and Strategies For a More Robust Inclusive Work Environment.”  Leveraging Diversity & Inclusion Strategies for Impact. 2014 Diversity Council of the Carolinas Conference. Thursday, September 18, 2014. Charlotte, NC.
  • Member, Chancellor’s Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, UNCG, 2009-2012; 2015-Present. Supervisory Practices sub-committee.
  • Member, College of Arts and Science’s Advisory Committee on Diversity, UNCG, 2008-2010.   
  • Member, Commission on Ethnic Diversity. Northern Arizona University. 2003-2008.
  • President’s Ethnic Diversity Award for service in diversity at Northern Arizona University. 2006-2007.
  • City of Flagstaff , Arizona’s Diversity Awareness Commission. 2004-2005.
  • Assistant Coordinator, Minority Engineering Programs.  Louisiana State U.  1997-1998.