I began my faculty career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where I led a research program focused on HIV care and prevention, served as the director of psychology services for a large HIV clinic, and taught undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology and public health. In my career, I’ve led large research grants, taught thousands of students, and served as a doctoral program director, associate dean for academic affairs, and a university system vice president. From 2015 to 2024, I served NC State University for nine years as Senior Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs and managed many of the policies and programs that help our faculty have successful and satisfying careers. I worked closely with our provost and my team to plan and implement leadership development programs for faculty and academic leaders, and I worked with our department heads and deans, helping them navigate the challenges and joys of those important positions. As of July 2024, I returned to my role as a professor in the department of psychology to begin the next chapter of my career.
Wherever I’ve worked, some of my greatest joys have included mentoring students who are interested in academic careers, mentoring new faculty and academic leaders, and collaborating with my colleagues to support our work. I’ve learned so much during my career about building a meaningful academic career as a funded researcher and as an instructor, about values-based leadership, about institutional politics and conflict management, and about the power of mentorship. All of what I’ve learned and experienced goes into my approach with my workshops and my coaching clients.