This Prof Life Podcast: Women of Color in Higher Education

Living and studying as a Black woman in Cuba led Dr. Kaifa Roland to write not only one book but two about her experiences.  She is currently Director of Global Black Studies and Associate Professor of Anthropology at Clemson University. Join this delightfully intellectual conversation that centers around her cultural research whic...

Have you felt stuck lately? Are you looking for inspiration and motivation to make your next move? Dr. Carol Parker Walsh has experienced it all from being a corporate attorney, to higher education administrator, and now as her own boss. On this episode of This Prof Life, Dr. Parker Walsh shares her journey of being authentically true to herself and living out her values, through autonomy and creativity. 

She shares ways to get uns...

Do you consider your work to be "creative" or "traditional" scholarship? This week's guest, Dr. Kimberly Garza, says you can do both, successfully. A creative writer and professor of literature, Dr. Garza has recently published a book that includes three different languages- one for each of the ethnic backgrounds t...

Myths, tractors, rumors, coin collections, stories.  They are all part of Dr. Yovanna Pineda's path of research. A Guatemalan-American Professor of History connects stories that are developed through machinery and agriculture. It may sound different, somewhat nerdy, even. But, you are in for a treat with this soon-to-be second time book author located at the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Pineda also shares the challenges she h...

When we pursue our dreams, it may lead us down more than one path and even to a different outcome. Whitley Greene, an adjunct dance professor, says that is what led her to teaching at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Currently, she shares her passion with students at the University of North Texas. In this episode she has an impactful discussion with Dr. Pat Sanders after following her heart, but while keeping it real at the...

We pick up where we left off in Part 2 of a conversation with Dr. Aerial Ellis, who shares how important it is for people of color to feel as if they belong at an institution. In other words, a person of color has been hired  or included, now what does it take to retain them? 

That word, "belonging" has become a significant part of the diversity, equity and inclusion conversation and agenda. 

Take a listen!

Find more episodes on my...

Dr. Aerial Ellis is one of the bright minds shining the spotlight in the DEI space, education and the business world. This dynamic woman is not only a business owner, but she is a professor and endowed chair at one of the country's highly regarded HBCUs, North Carolina Central University. Listen as we have a conversation about what it means to feel accepted and as if you belong in a workplace.

Dr. Pat Sanders invites you to leave a...

We all want to experience some level of happiness in our lives, even in our work-life. And, we should.  After all, we spend the majority of our awake hours either working in an office or from home. 

In this episode, Dr. Pat Sanders shares ways to find your happy through transformation and a tested framework. Get this, it's not that hard to achieve. 

Click the listen button and join her now!

Be sure to leave a positive rating and re...

Dr. Sybril Brown does not hold back when speaking about teaching, working with new generations of students and what it takes to be successful in the Academy.

Join our conversation as she speaks about how she stopped trying to teach and instead learned how to teach, leading to her success in the classroom. 

We also talk about:

• Different teaching methods. 
• How professors are no longer "sages on stages" due to the ability of stud...

Women and people of color who work in higher education may have serious questions concerning their current career status. Kicking off Season 5, Dr. Pat asks, are you still happy, or is it time to move on?

She says these are some questions you may need to ask yourself: 

• Do I love waking up 90 plus percent of the time to go to work?
• Do I feel respected for what I do?
• Is valued a word I would use in describing my existence in my ...

Match your goals with your values. Dr. Darshon Reed shared amazing tips:

1. SMART Goals  and RESTART goals.

2. Goal disengagement: limiting number of goals expectations for the year.

3. Goals should identify with your character traits.

Dr. Reed is trained in experimental psycholo...

Enjoy this past episode with Dr. Leslie Wang who has experienced perks and drawbacks while  living and teaching as an Asian American woman in the U.S. On this episode, she speaks to us about:

1. Her experiences in the academy.
2. Her journey home to China in an attempt to find her roots.
3. Her research and work on children adopted from China.
4. Asian hate.
5. Coaching women.

You can find more about her on her website, https://ww...

(Replay) Dr. Jennifer Woodard is a longtime professor who moved from the faculty ranks to the administrative track at her institution. 

She shares her story of navigating through an institutional system that was not very welcoming to a young, African American woman who persevered to secure her position and success. Her authenticity is refreshing. 

Dr. Woodard now mentors other women and believes in the power of sisterhood and conne...

To my sisters of color, I plan to get some rest and downtime during the holidays. No work. It's going to be all play and family time. 

Listen in as I close out Season 4 by sharing my plans. I also offer some vulnerability about the realities of producing a podcast as a one-woman-show. 

Thank you for your support, listening, ratings and reviews. I will see you after the holidays with a kick-off of Season 5 and new content!

Meantime,...

Who are you in the academy, and do you feel fulfilled there? Answering that question is a  one that you should really seek to answer, according to Dr. Adia Gooden who says we all should be able to do that and walk in our true, authentic selves and purpose.

Dr. Gooden actually did so by leaving her academic role to pursue her calling as a licensed clinical psychologist in her own business. She has no regrets.

Her story could help yo...

Innovation. Transformational leadership.

Joan Williams, Associate Vice President for Diversity and Chief Diversity Officer at Salisbury University talks about these  important subjects and how we can bring about change. She also lays out the landscape for diversity education development and facilitation.

Don't miss this open, transparent and informed conversation. 

Find all episodes on my website: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, or m...

It’s fall semester time! Be you, and be great! We are kicking off a new semester and have either, like myself, started or are getting ready to see old faces and some new faces of students. I want to dedicate this podcast to ways in which you can start down a path of making it a successful one and to be yourself in the process. Remember:

You are enough, so be you.
You hold value.
You are resilient.
Set goals and limits.
Enjoy your w...

Dr. Kimberly DeSimone shifted from corporate work to academia and never looked back. An Associate Professor at Bonaventure University, she is Chair of the University’s President Commission on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.

A Puerto Rican and White female, she discusses how important diversity is to any organization and how to improve their numbers in leadership positions.

She creates her own podcast, Advancing Women. Or, you can f...