You bring to the presidency a deep background in developmental educational psychology, as the author of four books and 20-plus book chapters and articles. Can you share more about your academic and research expertise? 

I double majored in psychology and English in college. I really wanted to be a teacher, and I decided I could do that best by teaching at the college level. So, I got a PhD in developmental educational psychology — and I study, in particular, how adolescents learn best. 

My research shifted once I came to CC. Prior to CC, I researched parental involvement in schools that received Title 1 funding, and how parents come to understand their role in their kids’ education. But sometime around 2014-15, I shifted to study teachers’ role construction — what they believe their job actually is, and how that affects their teaching practices, particularly with diverse students. Most of my books and publications are about teachers, diversity-related self-constructions, and their pedagogical practices. 

It’s clear that you are an educator at heart. Is there one class you've taught as a Professor of Education that’s left a lasting impression on you? 

In Block 5, 2015, I taught a full block off campus — a study away in Nashville. The class was called The Tradition of African American Learning and the Black Bourgeoisie. I took 10 students with me, and we lived on campus at Fisk University. I, too, lived in the dorms, so that's one reason it had a lasting impact! 

But really, what was impactful about that class was watching our students exist in a different social and cultural setting than they'd ever been in. Seeing them make connections between the learning environment, learning processes, and learning outcomes. The class involved going to different denominations of churches every Sunday and different soul food restaurants. In many ways, I didn't have to do a whole lot, because their experience was the lesson — that different cultures have different kinds of educational norms and expectations, from what you wear to class to how you're assessed and what you're expected to do with your education. The students picked up on that literally in the first three days we were at Fisk. And I said, well, my job here is done!   

If you could design a Block course for fun, what would you teach? 

I would take a list from students before class started, of things they’ve never done. And I would design a class so that we could do at least one thing each student has never done. The uniting thing would be about just trying new stuff, right? And seeing what you can learn when you don't have any expectations of what you will learn. I think that'd be fun. 

What's a lesson or value that you hope every student leaves college with? 

College is about stepping outside of your comfort zone. Whether it's academically or with activities, talking to people and making friends that you couldn't have made had you not come to college. When I was in college, for one quarter, I lived in the Chinese language house. I don't even remember how it happened — it wasn’t my decision, something happened with housing. But I learned so much, not necessarily learning Mandarin, but a lot of cultural practices. I did learn some words and just met people I otherwise would never have spoken to because our paths just didn't cross. That was one of the most meaningful experiences I had in college. So, try new things, even if you have to do it by yourself. 

And on that note, what’s something you've done that has pushed you outside of your comfort zone? 

Riding horses! I started riding because I got a gift for my 30th birthday, and I just kept going. I was taking lessons once a week for many years until recently, since it just doesn't fit into my schedule anymore. That was outside of my comfort zone because it’s not something you do growing up where I grew up. I didn’t know anybody who rode horses. It’s really expensive. And I was old to start doing it! Most of the people at the barn were 14 or younger. I had lessons with 8-year-olds, and they were better than me! 

What is a hobby or craft you've picked up or would love to try? 

I would love to learn golf, so that’s kind of my next goal. I just found out that Top Golf offers lessons, which I can fit into my schedule more easily than going to a golf course. It seems like a relaxing, but very cognitive activity, which is right up my alley. 

What's your favorite book genre? How about podcasts? Music? 

My favorite book genre is paranormal romance — where we're combining shape shifters, witches, vampires, etc., with romance novels. I don't listen to a lot of podcasts, but when I do, it's solving a mystery or unveiling a scam. One of my favorites is “Scamfluencers.” It's two young women who have done really great research on scams we’ve all heard of, and a lot we haven’t. And music? I’m a millennial, so, 90s! I still have CDs. I said to my husband yesterday that I wish I could buy a car with a built-in CD player — but you can't! 

Sports have played a big role in your life, from your own experience as a college track athlete to your dad's sports marketing career. How has athletics shaped who you are today? 

I think what I learned as an athlete, or even watching my dad in the sports world, is that everybody doesn't have to be the captain. Everybody on the team can and should play a unique role and make a distinct contribution to the team. I think when we teach young people about athletics, it's always, “You should be the best.” That's concerning to me for many reasons, because everybody can't be the best. But it doesn't mean that you can't excel and advance the team forward. And I think now, particularly in this position, it's about how I build teams that complement each other's strengths. Understanding that as the “coach” for the team, I can't be on the field playing. I can't be on the court doing it for them, so it's about making sure everybody on the team knows their role, knows the expectations, and has been given what they need to excel. And then just setting that direction to make sure we can achieve what we should be able to achieve, given the people on the team. 

Where is a place that makes you feel instantly at peace? 

The library — any library! It could be a public library, the Tutt Library here at CC, or a library in someone’s home. I like to be surrounded by books. It’s exciting because it's like, “There are so many things I can read here and so many stories I've never heard!” And reading is just so calming, physically, for me. It’s a peaceful environment. In this role, I can get overstimulated, and a library is quiet — everybody’s kind of doing their own thing, but they’re doing it happily. 

And, finally: if you weren't in higher ed, what would you be doing? 

Probably teaching middle school, seventh grade language arts. That was my career goal my entire life, and I still would love to do that, but I don't know that I'd be able to keep up with seventh graders now! My favorite age group is middle school — and English was always my favorite subject in school, so that would probably be where I ended up.