My approach to leadership is to build collaborative relationships. The results include: 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, writing successful grant proposals, and building ties between the university and community. I also have demonstrated skills in planning and implementing initiatives that support college and university goals, especially those with an emphasis on diversity and interdisciplinary studies. As a result, I have been asked to serve on executive committees and to serve as an external reviewer.
Administrative Highlights
Director (July 1, 2008-May 31, 2016)
African American and African Diaspora Studies Program (AADS)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Director (July 1, 2008-May 31, 2016)
African American and African Diaspora Studies Program (AADS)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Program ranked in the Top 10
- Fundraising - 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 the 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 a 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 the University of Botswana and the University of Ghana
- Organized annual conference
Academic Leadership Experience
- Lead PI, NEA Big Read grant, 2020-2021.
- 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 Evaluator, Mercer University's Africana Studies Program, University of Memphis's African American Studies Program, MA Department of English Texas Southern Univ., UNC-Charlotte's Africana Studies Department.
- 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
- UNCG Women Scholars of Color Leadership Program - Center of Creative Leadership. Spring 2021
- Professional Development Leadership Institute. University of North Carolina at Greensboro. January - November 2015.
- ACE Regional Women’s Leadership Forum. Seattle, Washington. October 29-31, 2014.
- UNC Administrative Chair’s Retreat. UNC, Chapel Hill Center for Continuing Education. January 31 - February 1, 2013.
- “BRIDGES 2010: The Personal and Professional Journey of Transformational Leadership.” Bridges: Academic Leadership for Women. UNC, Chapel Hill Center for Continuing Education. September 10 - November 13, 2010.
- National Council for Black Studies Administrator’s Workshop. Atlanta, GA. July 14-17, 2010.
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. Charlotte, NC. Thursday, September 18, 2014
- 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.