My Administrator Philosophy & Experience

I believe in the power of fun. I think anytime you can combine the two while working and serving it creates a synergistic effect that pulls a team of folks together. I believe in the power of collaboration. I love, love, love, collaborating with others and hearing others think outside the box. I believe in the power of creativity and what it can produce in a work setting where it is encouraged, accepted, and fostered. My leadership style currently, is Servant Leadership and helping others reach their potential.

I love using theory any chance I get in the workplace. This is without a doubt one of the many concepts that I can say my doctoral program has ingrained into my head and I love this approach to evaluating work.  For example, Vincent Tinto’s theories on student retention have helped shaped retention efforts in Higher Education.  Tinto introduced the idea that there are three major sources of student departure: academic difficulties, the inability of individuals to resolve their educational and occupational goals, and their failure to belong within the intellectual and social life of the institution. I think anytime I can incorporate a theory into my work…it just strengthens the cause that much more.

My Experiences

Director of the Center for Wellness at Sandhills Community College, Pinehurst, North Carolina

  • Reports to the Associate Vice President of Student Services and is responsible for direction and provision of mental health counseling, academic coaching/retention services for enrolled students.

Re-Admission Coordinator for the Center for Student Success, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, North Carolina

  • Linked and coordinated readmission students through the “Braves Come Back” program at UNC Pembroke. Provided case management services to readmission and academic probation students. Advised students regarding academic scheduling.

Student Success Coordinator for the STAR Program, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, North Carolina

  • Provided clinical oversight/supervision to a host of clinical interns from UNC-Pembroke’s Graduate Clinical Mental Health and Social Work programs. Trained student interns in a variety of therapeutic techniques and theory.

School Counselor, Pitt County Schools (Pitt Academy/Transition Center) Greenville, North Carolina

  • Served the needs of student’s 6th through 12th grade by meeting with students on an individual basis throughout the day to discuss their behaviors that led to placement at the Transition Center and how to change their behavior for the better.

  • Monitored the progress of those students who have left the Transition Center to counsel them (may involve traveling to their school once during the year) and see if they need any additional support transitioning back.

  • Provided small group counseling for specific student needs.

  • Participated in intake and exit meetings for students, as available.

School Counselor, Gateway Learning Center/Pitt County Schools Transition Center. Greenville, North Carolina

  • Served the needs of 7th through 8th graders by using my skills as a counselor to encourage students to work through personal issues, assisting students in dealing with the pressures of academic studies, and helping students make choices that will assist them in finding their career path.

School Counselor, C. M. Eppes Middle School. Greenville, North Carolina

  • Served the needs of 6th through 8th graders by using my skills as a counselor to encourage students to work through personal issues, assisting students in dealing with the pressures of academic studies, and helping students make choices that will assist them in finding their career path.

LEAD Teacher/Therapist, The P.O.R.T (Providing Opportunities for Recovering Teens) School. Greenville, North Carolina

  • Team taught psycho educational lessons that consisted of (Grief & Loss, Family Issues, Discovering Who am I, Smoking Cessation, Human Sexuality, and Stress) in a group setting, running group therapy sessions, helping students return to their base school, and assisting students in earning their GED at Pitt Community College.