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
Chair and CLASS Distinguished Professor, Department of African American Studies
University of Houston (2022-Present)
Director (July 1, 2008-May 31, 2016)
African American and African Diaspora Studies Program (AADS)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Chair and CLASS Distinguished Professor, Department of African American Studies
University of Houston (2022-Present)
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.