Tell us a little about your career here at VCU:

I am entering my 10th academic year at VCU. I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at the School of Business, and I am also the Executive Director of the Institute for Transformative Leadership. My research is on leadership and mindfulness, and how leaders can create spaces and places of belonging for others and transform cultures to empower others to be their best.

What will be your role and/or your responsibilities as a faculty fellow?

As a Faculty Fellow, I will work predominantly with Deans and other senior level organizational leaders, creating spaces for deep connection and leadership growth, as well as a safe place for candid conversations.

What do you hope to accomplish as a faculty fellow?

I hope to help leaders across our campus feel supported, valued, and that they are able to grow and develop in their roles as they then help support VCU's transformation.

How will you use this experience to further your own career and/or support the development of other faculty?

My passion is supporting and helping develop others through transformative experiences. My hope is that via developing and supporting VCU senior leaders, all faculty, staff, and students experience more supportive transformative leadership at VCU which creates and reinforces a deep culture of care which can permeate all levels of our organization.

What is something most people don't know about you? (i.e., hidden talent)

Most people don't know that I was a high school and college hurdler. I used to be somewhat fast in my day, and I once auditioned for a commercial in which I had to hurdle over a fire hydrant. I didn't end up getting the role and instead it went to a British Olympian.

If you had to choose an “un” word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?

UNRELENTING. To me, focusing our time, resources, and attention on our goals and vision ensures that these come to fruition, and doing so day in and day out requires much courage, deep care for self and others, and unrelenting forward progress despite obstacles.

Tell us a little about your career here at VCU:

I began my career at VCU teaching critical thinking and writing in the Department of Focused Inquiry in 2018 and transitioned to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program in 2020. In IDS, I teach interdisciplinary problem solving, build innovative curricular paths for pioneering students and recruit first-time freshmen, transfer students, and non-traditional learners.

What will be your role and/or your responsibilities as a faculty fellow?

As a second year faculty fellow, I am continuing to work on program productivity analysis and am serving on VCU's team at the AAC&U's Institute on AI, Pedagogy, & the Curriculum.

What do you hope to accomplish as a faculty fellow?

I hope to contribute to a data-informed and student-centered program productivity process and to VCU's pioneering AI vision and curriculum.

How will you use this experience to further your own career and/or support the development of other faculty?

My hope is that I will be able to use my program productivity analysis to improve my program and help the University thrive. I will use my experience at the AAC&U's AI Institute to lead University-wide curriculum initiatives on AI, including the Practical AI minor.

What is your favorite restaurant in Richmond?

Some of my favorite Richmond restaurants include Zorch, Sub Rosa, Y Tu Mamá, and many, many more.

If you had to choose an “un” word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?

Perhaps "UNYIELDING." I persist in pursuit of my goals.

Tell us a little about your career here at VCU:

I've been a member of the Focused Inquiry faculty since 2007. Over the years, I've taught UNIV 111, 112, and 200, along with a few of our department's electives. My original discipline is philosophy, and I came to the program with a strong interest in teaching critical thinking and ethical reasoning and have helped to develop those parts of the FI curriculum. I've also enjoyed teaching philosophy courses during summer sessions. Well before the pandemic, I got involved in faculty development initiatives to improve online teaching and learning and have taught innovative asynchronous courses alongside my traditional ones.  Service has also been a significant part of my career at VCU; I've served on a number of assessment, curriculum, and policy committees at departmental and university levels.

What will be your role and/or your responsibilities as a faculty fellow?

Primarily, I'll be working in support of VCU's Recruitment Inclusive Champions (RIC) program.

What do you hope to accomplish as a faculty fellow?

One of my main goals is to assist with an overhaul of the RIC training program's curriculum and delivery. The program is instrumental to the university's recruitment and hiring practices for faculty and administrators. I intend to apply my background in curriculum development and online learning to make it more streamlined and accessible.

How will you use this experience to further your own career and/or support the development of other faculty?

Mainly, I hope that a successful overhaul will make it easier for faculty across the university to participate in RIC programs, and that the experience will prepare them even more effectively to serve our recruiting goals.

What is something most people don't know about you? (i.e., hidden talent)

I'm not closely related to Karl or any of the Marx brothers.

If you had to choose an “un” word to describe yourself, what would it be?

UNFLAPPABLE

Tell us a little about your career here at VCU:

I am a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science at VCU, where I also serve as the Associate Director of the VCU Cybersecurity Center. Additionally, I lead the Mobile Systems and Intelligent Communication (MuSIC) Lab. My research focuses on a range of critical areas, including network security, robust and secure medical IoT, mobile and edge computing, and next-generation wireless systems. I am particularly interested in developing dynamic and distributed AI frameworks with applications in smart healthcare, smart cities, and intelligent transportation systems. Throughout my career at VCU, I have been committed to advancing research that bridges theoretical innovation with practical, real-world applications, contributing to the university’s mission of fostering academic excellence and technological advancement.

What will be your role and/or your responsibilities as a faculty fellow?

As a Faculty Fellow, I will be actively involved in initiatives and programs led by Faculty Affairs, with a particular focus on advancing the Convergence Labs@VCU. My role will include supporting the development and implementation of these initiatives, working closely with university leadership to ensure they align with VCU’s strategic goals.

What do you hope to accomplish as a faculty fellow?

As a Faculty Fellow, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the strategic initiatives of the Provost's office, collaborating closely with the Provost and senior leadership. Leveraging my expertise in research and administration, I am committed to advancing initiatives that align with VCU’s mission, particularly those that enhance the academic life cycle of our faculty and staff.

How will you use this experience to further your own career and/or support the development of other faculty?

Through this experience, I intend to deepen my understanding of academic leadership and institutional strategy, which will enhance my ability to contribute at higher levels within the university. By working closely with senior leaders, I will gain insights into effective decision-making processes and policy development, which I can apply in future leadership roles. Additionally, I plan to use this knowledge to mentor and support other faculty members in navigating their own career paths, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration across the institution.

What is something most people don't know about you? (i.e., hidden talent)

Something most people don’t know about me is that I enjoy working on my cars in my spare time. It’s a hands-on hobby that contrasts with my professional life, offering a creative outlet and a different kind of problem-solving experience.

If you had to choose an “un” word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?

The "un" word I would choose to describe myself is "UNWAVERING." I am steadfast in my commitment to academic excellence and the pursuit of meaningful, impactful work. My unwavering dedication ensures that I remain focused on achieving long-term goals, both in my own career and in contributing to the success of my colleagues and institution.

Tell us a little about your career here at VCU:

At VCU I have been able to develop a career in academia that is quite expansive. I entered the university as chair of a program in the School of the Arts, and was able to leverage that leadership preparedness to be the interim Executive Director of a large arts organization for a year. Upon returning to VCU, I created an Arts Management course, completed a book, was elected to serve on the Faculty Senate leadership team, and led several departmental initiatives. I earned full professorship and have remained active in my research and scholarly activities in the School/Department and the larger professional arena.

What will be your role and/or your responsibilities as a faculty fellow?

Currently, as a Faculty Fellow, I am working on research projects and initiatives that are geared to supporting faculty advancement and achievements.

What do you hope to accomplish as a faculty fellow?

As a faculty fellow, I hope to learn about the university administration, policy issues and best practices across peer universities.

How will you use this experience to further your own career and/or support the development of other faculty?

I hope this experience to grow my leadership skills and knowledge-base, have more information to better assist and mentor faculty, and learn better communication skills for engaging diverse groups of stakeholders. 

What is your favorite thing to do in Richmond?

My favorite thing to do in Richmond is walk through and about the many parks - it is a city with many beautiful natural parks and green spaces. 

If you had to choose an “un” word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?

UNDAUNTED- I may take a moment to learn from my mis-steps, but then I get back into the work with more information and resolve. UNSELFISH - I try to engage with students, staff and colleagues from a place of grace and humanity. 

Tell us a little about your career here at VCU:

I am in my third year at VCU, having previously been faculty at other universities for the first decade of my career. I am a Professor of Research Methodologies in the School of Education, where I also coordinate the Research, Assessment, and Evaluation concentration of our Ph.D. in Education program. I primarily teach in the area of quantitative methodologies, and much of my research is on critical quantitative methodologies.

What will be your role and/or your responsibilities as a faculty fellow?

I am working in Faculty Affairs, focusing on faculty data. This will include work on the COACHE Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey process this year, in addition to other data related to faculty characteristics, trajectories, and success.

What do you hope to accomplish as a faculty fellow?

I hope to enhance the infrastructure and use of faculty data at VCU to support faculty success.

How will you use this experience to further your own career and/or support the development of other faculty?

I have worked in faculty governance and related roles at VCU and prior institutions, and find this area of work interesting. It also overlaps with my own research, which mostly focuses on higher education contexts, so I hope that my scholarship benefits from this experience, and that my work in this role benefits from my scholarly expertise.

What is your favorite thing to do in Richmond?

My favorite thing to do in Richmond is to take long walks around our neighborhood in Church Hill with my husband. We love walking to the different parks to take in the views of downtown Richmond, the river, and other vantage points. We also love walking to all of the bakeries, shops, and restaurants the neighborhood has to offer.

Tell us a little about your career here at VCU:

I served as the Assistant Chair for the Department of Kinetic Imaging in the School of the Arts since 2015, with a department leadership focus on academic and student affairs. In the fall of 2022, I moved back into the faculty with a heavy focus on teaching.

What will be your role and/or your responsibilities as a faculty fellow?

As a second year faculty fellow, I will be working with Academic Affairs on matters of academic planning and shared governance.

What do you hope to accomplish as a faculty fellow?

I am most fulfilled professionally when I can both teach and have an administrative focus, especially when these two things are topically connected, so this role is a perfect fit for me! I am excited about this opportunity to think about curriculum from a broader perspective. I am also looking forward to learning more about academic planning here at VCU and making connections with various stakeholders around the larger campus.

How will you use this experience to further your own career and/or support the development of other faculty?

My hope is that this faculty fellow experience, along with my experience in the VCU Leadership Development Program in the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, will set me on a path for future opportunities for improving upon the student experience, both in the classroom and beyond.

What is something most people don't know about you? (i.e., hidden talent)

Some things that most people do not know about me is that I've had grey hair since the 8th grade, I'm afraid of balloons, and I'm obsessed with the grocery store Aldi!

If you had to choose an “un” word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?

If I had to choose an "un" word to describe myself, it would be UNCONVENTIONAL because, as an artist, I am a creative, out-of-the-box thinker.