Professional Overview

Over 10 years of teaching literature and culture in diverse universities as well as publishing and presenting on gender themes in African American literature. A proven record of transformative leadership in academic program development including: undergraduate and graduate curriculum building, student recruitment and retention, strategic planning on the program, college, and university levels, alumni and donor development, university and community relationship-building. Demonstrated skill in planning and implementing initiatives that support college and university goals, especially those with an emphasis on diversity.

Leadership and Administrative Experience and Training

Director, African American Studies Program. University of North Carolina Greensboro. 2008-Present.

Accomplishments: Led faculty in revising mission statement and writing five year strategic plan; established and developed new community partnerships; developed four new undergraduate and graduate courses; doubled number of majors; developed online graduate certificate program; established advisory board; raised over $13,000 in planned gifts, donations, and grants.

NAACP Flagstaff branch, President (November 2006-May 2008)

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

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

Strategic Planning Experience

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.

Diversity Experience

Member, Chancellor's Task Force on Inclusiveness/University Committee, UNCG, 2009-2011.

Member, College of Arts and Letters Advisory Committee on Diversity, UNCG, 2008-2010.

City of Flagstaff Diversity Awareness Commission (2004-2005)

International Experience

Fulbright Specialists' Program Roster Candidate. 2010-2015.

CIEE International Seminar, "Challenges of a Developing Nation." Hosted by the University of Ghana. Legon, Ghana. June 13-24, 2010.

Travel with NAU faculty and students to Gaborone, Botswana, Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa. May 2008.

"Talking on Water: The Significance of Water and Storytelling in Edwidge Danticat and Paule Marshall." Sixth International Conference on Caribbean Literature. St. Croix, Virgin Islands. November 3-5, 2004.

Awards and Recognition

2011 National Council of Black Studies Award for Outstanding Publication in Africana Studies for A Fatherless Child.

Girls Reaching Out Education Award, Student Organization, UNCG, 2009.

Anthony "Tony" Ross award for dedication to and support of Black students, Northern Arizona University. Awarded by 2008 Black Student Convocation Planning Committee.

Golden Axe Award, recognized by NAU graduate as Most Influential faculty, April 2008.

Arizona African American Legislative Conference, Influential African Americans in Education, 2008.

Golden Axe Award, recognized by NAU graduate as Most Influential faculty, April 2007.

President's Ethnic Diversity Award for service in diversity at NAU. 2006-2007.

Recognized at NAU's Black Student Convocation as Most Influential Faculty Member, 2007, 2006.

Nominee, Teaching Scholar Award. NAU. Spring 2006. Sponsored by: Faculty Development Office.

Charles Harrington Graduate Student Award, Louisiana State University. 1997.