Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Karrie Dixon

Chancellor, North Carolina Central University

Dr. Karrie G. Dixon was named the 13th chancellor of North Carolina Central University on June 6, 2024. She was elected by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors following her nomination by the University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans. She began her appointment on July 1, 2024.

Dr. Dixon was appointed the 12th chief executive officer and 7th chancellor of Elizabeth City State University on December 14, 2018. Before her appointment, she served as the interim chancellor from April 9, 2018, after having played a crucial role as co-lead on the ECSU New Directions Phase 2 Operational Team since early 2017. Dr. Dixon is the first woman to serve as Chancellor at two UNC System institutions.

As a seasoned senior administrator in the University of North Carolina System, Dr. Dixon has served in a higher education leadership role since 2008. In 2014, she was promoted to Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, overseeing the Division of Academic and Student Affairs across the System's 17 institutions. During her tenure, she played a crucial role in shaping policy and guiding best practices within academic and student affairs divisions by providing expert guidance on academic policy to the UNC System Office while spearheading initiatives to improve student success, increase access and enrollment, and boost retention and graduation rates. Her collaborative efforts fostered innovative partnerships between the UNC System, the NC Community College System, independent colleges and universities, and the NC Department of Public Instruction, driving significant policy changes and projects that have profoundly impacted students across the University of North Carolina System and beyond.

As the Chief Student Affairs Officer for the UNC System, Dr. Dixon played a crucial role in shaping the system's approach to student affairs. She worked closely with Vice Chancellors and other university leaders to develop and implement initiatives to improve community college transfers, enrollment and minimum admission requirements, campus safety, and military student success. Under her leadership, statewide programs such as the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) Pathways and the federally funded NC State Approving Agency were established.

Before joining the UNC System, she spent a decade at two other UNC campuses. Most recently, she held the position of Assistant Vice Provost at North Carolina State University, where she continues to serve as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Leadership, Policy, Adult and Higher Education at the College of Education. In this role, she takes pleasure in mentoring graduate students interested in pursuing careers in higher education leadership and serving as a mentor on dissertation committees.

Dr. Dixon is a highly engaged and respected leader in the higher education community. She serves on the Board of Directors for Project Kitty Hawk and is a charter member of the Black Women Collegiate Presidents and Chancellors. In 2022, she was appointed to the Campus Compact Board of Directors and the North Carolina Campus Engagement Executive Board. Additionally, she was elected to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees in 2021. Dr. Dixon was also appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) for a three-year term and to the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Council of Presidents. Other notable appointments include the 2020 appointment by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao to the national Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB).

Before her appointment at ECSU, she was a 2016-17 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow hosted by Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC.

Dr. Dixon's impressive list of accolades includes several significant awards and recognitions for her outstanding service, including the Old North State Award, one of the highest honors granted by the State of North Carolina; in 2013, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Education and the Black Alumni Legacy Award from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 2014. She is also a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Millennium Leadership Initiative, class of 2013. Additionally, Dr. Dixon was recognized as one of the "40 Under Forty" leaders by the Triangle Business Journal in 2014, received the Alumni Distinguished Service Award from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2015, and was named one of "The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2020" by the HBCU Campaign Fund. In recent years, Dr. Dixon has received the Toastmaster D117 Award for Communication & Leadership in 2023, was named a Black Business Ink Magazine Power 100 honoree in 2023, and in 2024, she was awarded the prestigious William C. Friday Lifetime Achievement Award by the University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments (UNC ASG) and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her leadership in higher education.

Dr. Dixon has earned a bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University, a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a doctorate from North Carolina State University. In addition to her academic achievements, she is also a devoted mother of two daughters.

Executive Leadership Panel:

Laurel Donley

Vice Provost and Dean for Student Affairs

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Laurel Donley was named Vice Provost and Dean for Student Affairs at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) in July 2023, following ten years of service in Student Affairs at UNCSA and more than two decades of experience in both academic and student affairs roles.

Prior to her current role, Donley served as Assistant Dean of Student Development and Director of High School Life, overseeing areas including high school life, residence life, new student orientation, student engagement, student assistance and support (case management), and the Fitness Center. She previously served as Interim Director of High School Life from July 2020 to December 2021.

From 2013 to 2021, Donley held the roles of Clinical Case Manager and Director of Student Assistance and Support at UNCSA. Before joining UNCSA, Donley served at Wake Forest University as Director of Campus Support Services for three years and as a CARE (Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation) Coordinator for seven years. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Medical Social Worker at High Point Regional Health System.

A recognized leader in student mental health, Donley has served on the UNC System Mental Health Task Force and was a panelist for the UNC Board of Governors’ initiative on Collegiate Mental Health: Current Trends and Challenges. She has presented at numerous conferences and convenings, including the UNC System Student Success Conference, UNC System Behavioral Health Convening, NASPA, and NASPA Strategies.

A founding member of the Higher Education Case Managers Association (HECMA) in 2011, Donley served as its president from 2018 to 2020. HECMA now includes more than 800 active members.

From 2016 to 2017, Donley served as Chair of Staff Council at UNCSA, where she led several initiatives focused on staff development and recognition. The Standing Ovation program, launched under her leadership, remains active today. She received the Professional Staff Excellence Award in 2018 and the Community Service Award in 2015. Since 2019, she has been a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor at UNCSA.

Donley is currently pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Learning and Leadership from UNC Chapel Hill. She is a 2021 graduate of the UNC BRIDGES Academic Leadership Program. In addition, she has served on the Fordham University Parent Council since 2021 and has been a volunteer with the State Employees Credit Union (North Carolina) Family House since 2013.

Dr. Keisha Jones

Vice President of Student Affairs

Davidson Davie Community College

Keisha Jones is a visionary leader in the fields of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and Leadership strategy. Her unwavering passion lies in witnessing organizations thrive and reach their full potential. With roles encompassing leader, curator, consultant, instructor, and facilitator, Keisha empowers organizations to strategically integrate DEIB, sparking lasting and purposeful transformation.

Keisha is a seasoned professional with a rich and diverse background spanning 20 years, encompassing higher education, business and industry, leadership development, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. Her multifaceted career has allowed her to make significant contributions in various leadership roles within higher education while also making a substantial impact in the business and industry sectors.

With a strong foundation in higher education, Keisha has held key leadership positions in esteemed institutions, leveraging her expertise to drive student success and create inclusive campus environments. Her journey in higher education encompasses positions at both four-year universities, including NC A&T State University and Georgia State University, as well as at two-year community colleges such as Guilford Technical Community College and Davidson-Davie Community College. Presently, she holds the position of Vice President of Student Affairs at Davidson-Davie Community College. In addition, she dedicates her efforts to the NC Community College System as the Director of Equity at the NC Student Success Center, supporting all 58 community colleges in North Carolina with their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives.

Keisha's influence extends beyond academia into the dynamic realm of business and industry. Drawing on her wealth of experience, she has actively collaborated with various industries, bringing her unique insights to the corporate landscape. Her ability to navigate diverse sectors reflects her adaptability and commitment to bridging the gap between academia and the professional world. In her extensive career, Keisha has not only served in leadership roles but has also made impactful contributions as a board member and chair within several organizations. Her strategic vision and dedication to fostering positive change have positioned her as a key influencer in the organizations she has been a part of.

At the heart of Keisha's professional journey is her commitment to leadership development and DEIB efforts. Her passion for creating inclusive and equitable spaces is evident in her roles, notably serving the various roles she has held.

Keisha's leadership in these areas reflects her dedication to driving positive change and cultivating environments where everyone can thrive. Leveraging her diverse industry background, Keisha possesses the insight needed to comprehend and cater to the multifaceted demands of organizations, addressing a broad spectrum of needs.

Keisha is also the owner of By Design Consulting, LLC a boutique consulting firm that assists organizations with their leadership and DEIB efforts. She recently established The Authentic Life, Inc., the nonprofit arm of By Design Consulting, LLC, with a profound vision aimed at inspiring and empowering women, particularly women of color. This initiative is rooted in the belief that embracing and affirming one's authentic self in every facet of life is not only acceptable but crucial. The Authentic Life, Inc. is dedicated to creating spaces where women can celebrate their identities without reservation or compromise. “Remember, the most authentic version of you is the best one.”

Beyond her impressive professional achievements, Keisha is a native of Greensboro, NC, and a proud alumna of NC A&T State University. Her commitment to making a lasting impact in both academic and professional spheres continues to be a driving force in her multifaceted career.

Melissa Singler 

President

Robeson Community College

Melissa Singler is currently serving as the 6th President of Robeson Community College. Prior to joining RCC she served as the Executive Vice President for Cape Fear Community College. She has extensive experience in leading, organizing, facilitating, and evaluating the academics and operations of higher education. She values the importance of understanding unique organizational cultures and working collaboratively to move initiatives forward in equitable and innovative ways. She is an advocate for community college access, student success and workforce development. In addition to her experience in higher education, Melissa holds a wealth of corporate experience. Earlier in her career, she served as assistant vice president for United Carolina Bank, as vice president for First Citizens Bank, and as a teacher and assistant principal for Columbus County Schools. Melissa holds a Master’s Degree in School Administration and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Middle Grades Education, both from UNC-Wilmington.

Dr. Farrah Ward

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Elizabeth City State University

Farrah Jackson Ward, Ph.D., serves as the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and is a Professor of Mathematics at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). She earned her B.S. in Mathematics Education from North Carolina A&T State University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from North Carolina State University. Dr. Ward also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Leadership from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and is a graduate of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) Millennium Leadership Initiative. Before joining ECSU’s faculty in 2007, she taught at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Dr. Ward chaired ECSU’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science for six years before being named Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in 2016. She served as Interim Provost from 2018 to 2019 and was appointed Provost in 2019.

Under Dr. Ward's leadership, ECSU ranked among the top ten institutions nationally for graduating the highest number of African Americans with undergraduate degrees in mathematics. ECSU also achieved the #1 ranking for graduating the largest number of African Americans with master’s degrees in mathematics. Her expertise in breaking down educational barriers for STEM students has secured over $5 million in external funding from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education.

Dr. Ward has spearheaded numerous initiatives to improve student success, including implementing EAB’s Navigate, establishing the Office of Student Success and Retention, and reducing the average credit requirement for graduation from 128 to 120. In partnership with the John Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Studies, she led the Foundations of Excellence (FoE) project to develop a comprehensive plan supporting the first-year experience. Her strategic focus on enhancing student success has led to a 6.3% increase in freshman retention and a 35% increase in enrollment at ECSU.

Dr. Ward is widely recognized for her expertise in student success and higher education administration and has been invited as a featured speaker by numerous organizations, including the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), AASCU, Interfolio, and EAB.

Facilitator:

Dr. Connie Gores

Partner

The Success Associates

Dr. Connie J. Gores is Partner in the Success Associates, where she provides executive coaching, leadership training, and consulting for individuals and organizations. For six years, she served as President of Southwest Minnesota State University (the only woman to serve in that capacity) and was granted President Emerita status. Connie has a deep and enduring commitment to women’s leadership, including currently serving on the NC ACE Women's Network Executive Board and previously serving as Chair of the national ACE Women’s Network Executive Council; Chair of the Virginia ACE Network Board; and Chair of the Senior Leadership Seminar in Virginia. She earned her B.A. from North Dakota State University, her M.Ed. from Colorado State University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Washington. She is delighted to live near her two adult daughters and three wonderful grandchildren in North Carolina.

 

Session Speakers:

Dr. Ashley Leak Bryant 

Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Global Affairs

UNC Chapel Hill

Service—and the desire to provide a net public good—is at the core of Dr. Bryant and informs every aspect of her professional work. Over the course of her career, how she has served has expanded outward from serving at UNC to the broader nursing community on national and international levels. Her professional mission is to mentor future generations of nurses and health professionals. As an educator, she is guided by a teaching philosophy emphasizing collaborative learning and transformational experiences. Her program of research focuses on delivering team-based interventions to improve symptoms, functional status, and quality of life for both older adults with blood cancers and their carepartners during their treatment. Dr. Ashley Leak Bryant joined the UNC School of Nursing (SON) in 2013, and during her time at UNC, she has engaged in global and oncology-focused research, teaching, and service opportunities to improve the quality of lives for patients, families, and communities. She leads cross-cultural collaborations to build the oncology workforce and strengthen nursing education at both national and international levels. Dr. Bryant has continued to manage an active research program, mentors undergraduate and graduate students across academic programs, and remains engaged in professional and service activities. Her exceptional work has been recognized by both the American Academy of Nursing and the Gerontological Society of America, where she is designated as a fellow. She was recognized as a Great 100 Nurse in North Carolina (2024). She has a BSN (2003) and MSN-Nursing Administration (2005) from UNC-Greensboro, PhD in Nursing from UNC Chapel Hill, and Interdisciplinary Certificate in Aging (2011), and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at UNC Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health (2011-2013).

Dr. Resa Chandler

Associate Professor

Western Carolina University

Dr. Resa M. Chandler is an Associate Professor at Western Carolina University teaching exercise physiology and principles of strength training, program design, and other courses to health and physical education and preprofessional students. Dr. Chandler is a Coulter Faculty Commons for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellow. As a Faculty Fellow she has taken on the charge to implement WCU’s faculty mentoring programs. Her research includes designing, implementing, and assessing participant-centered peer mentoring programs for new faculty. More recently she has focused her mentoring research on mid-career faculty.

Dr. Chandler is a member of the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE) where she served many years as the NAKHE Bylaws Committee Chairperson and has been elected to be the 2026 NAKHE President. She received the 2023 NAKHE Presidents Award as well as the 2022 NAKHE Distinguished Teaching Award.

Dr. Chandler received her Ph.D. and M.A. in Kinesiology at the University of Texas at Austin. There she studied ergogenic aids, muscle physiology, carbohydrate metabolism/diabetes, and endocrinology. Prior to becoming an exercise physiologist, Dr. Chandler completed M.S. and B.S. degrees in Biology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte investigating the invertebrate cytology and phylogeny.

Jemilia Davis

Clinical Assistant Professor

UNC Chapel Hill

Dr. Jemilia S. Davis is a clinical assistant professor and program director for the Human and Organizational Leadership Development undergraduate major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She enjoys learning alongside current and future leaders through courageous conversations and meaningful experiences that develop critical leadership skills. She is an active scholar-practitioner who examines the role of senior leadership in organizations and the influence executive leader perspectives, practices, and policies have on promoting equitable success for historically excluded communities. She does life partnered with her best friend and their two little loves who call her mom.

Dr. Loury Ollison Floyd

Assistant Provost for Academic Operations

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Dr. Loury Ollison Floyd brings extensive leadership experience in educator preparation and academic affairs. She currently serves as Assistant Provost at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she leads initiatives in faculty development, accreditation, and external grants. Previously, she was Dean of the School of Education at UNC Pembroke, securing over $4.5 million in funding to support culturally responsive teaching and workforce diversity. She also held key leadership roles at North Carolina A&T State University, including Interim Dean, Associate Dean, and Department Chair. A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Floyd holds degrees from North Carolina A&T, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and the College of William & Mary.

Dr. LaQuoia Johnson

Leadership Consultant

GRACE Culture®

Having overcome the traumatic experience of leading in a toxic, hostile, and racially charged work environment, Dr. LaQuoia transformed her pain into purpose when she developed the GRACE Culture® framework for leadership. Today, she leverages her 20+ years of pharmacy practice experience as the CEO of Growing Through It, LLC. Her mission is to help organizations build their leadership capacity to create healthier workplace cultures where everyone can grow and thrive together. Whether she is speaking for a youth group, conference, faith-based organization, or corporate event, Dr. LaQuoia brings her bold, brilliant, and tenacious personality into the room to engage you in authentic and transparent discussions that honor the uniqueness of your individuality and expressions of your personal values and culture. She is mother to an 19-year-old college sophomore and the primary caregiver to her elderly parents. In her spare time, she enjoys serving in the community, outdoor festivals, and traveling every chance she gets.

Dr. Krista Kenney

Associate Director of Sponsored Programs Assurance and Research Compliance

Duke University

Krista T. Kenney, Ph.D. is no stranger to life’s balancing act, which she highlights in her debut title, Reignited: A Practical Guide to Overcoming Burnout and Thriving at Work and Home. She is a wife, mom, stepmom, change management professional, researcher, professor, and coach. Krista’s professional experience includes over 15 years of experience in neuroscience and education, nonprofit management, organizational learning, and research. Currently, she serves as the Associate Director of Sponsored Programs Assurance and Research Compliance within the Office of Audit, Risk, and Compliance at Duke University. Krista obtained her PhD in Public Administration from North Carolina State University in 2022. Her applied research focuses on work and family covering topics such as burnout, employee well-being, organizational culture, and health promotion. Additionally, she has taught at various universities including North Carolina State University, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Krista resides in Durham, NC where she was raised. She has previously served on numerous nonprofit boards along with city and county commissions within her community. Outside of work, Krista enjoys her time with her husband, kids, and countless other close family members. She can usually be found in the kitchen.

Dr. Cara Lucia

Professor of Sports Management

Elon University

Dr. Cara Lucia is a professor of sport management at Elon University, where she has been a faculty member since 2012. An Elon alumna, she brings over 20 years of experience in collegiate recreation and higher education. Dr. Lucia earned her master’s degree in Recreation Administration from Central Michigan University and her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech. Her teaching focuses on student engagement, critical thinking, and leadership development, and her scholarship explores topics such as high-impact practices and belonging in sport and high education settings.

Dr. Svetlana Nepocatych

Professor and Faculty Developer

Elon University

Dr. Svetlana Nepocatych is a professor of exercise science and faculty developer at Elon University, where she has served since 2011. With over 14 years of experience in higher education, her work focuses on wellness-centered pedagogy, leadership development, faculty coaching, and inclusive teaching practices. Dr. Nepocatych earned her Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. She facilitates programs and workshops designed to integrate holistic wellness principles into teaching and leadership, empowering faculty and students to thrive. Her work explores wellness-centered pedagogies, faculty resilience, integrative leadership approaches, and strategies that foster inclusive and supportive academic communities.

Dr. Tracie Salinas

Chair of Department of Mathematical Sciences

Appalachian State University

Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas is a professor and department chair in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Appalachian State University, where she has been a faculty member for nearly two decades . She holds a B.S. in mathematics and social sciences from William Carey University and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in education, specializing in mathematics education, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

A passionate advocate for rural and culturally responsive STEM education, Tracie focuses her research and outreach on teacher preparation, educational policy, and the unique challenges faced by rural communities in engaging with STEM fields. She previously served as director of App State’s Mathematics and Science Education Center and has been a PI on numerous externally funded projects related to STEM education.

Dr. Megan Smith

Assistant Teaching Professor

UNC Charlotte

Dr. Megan Smith is an Assistant Teaching Professor choosing to work closely with students in both the Sociology Department and Gerontology Program UNC Charlotte. She served as Theme Guide for the new General Education program, is an Honors College Faculty appointee, serves on a committee for Charlotte Phi Beta Kappa chapter, and was selected for the strategic planning committee for the College of Humanities, Earth, and and Social sciences. She was recently inducted as a Distinguished Faculty Member through Phi Kappa Phi and awarded one of twenty five Trailblazer Awards across the eight colleges for her notable contribution to teaching and learning at UNC Charlotte. Prior to current role at UNC Charlotte, she earned her Ph.D. at Emory University, a Master of Arts degree in Sociology at Charlotte in 2011, and a Bachelors of Arts degree at North Carolina State University in Sociology with an Anthropology concentration in 2001.

Her latest co-authored book is Ties that Enable: Community Solidarity for People Living with Serious Mental Health Problems (Rutgers, 2021). She has a forthcoming textbook title, Sociological Insights on Mental Health and Distress (Wiley, 2025).

Megan is a proud aunt and enjoys spending time with her large family and friends. She loves to needlepoint and teaches at the national level. She adores her two cats, Rainier and Glacier, representative of her love of national parks (she has visited 32 of the 63 and numerous NPS units) and travel. In 2023, she achieved her goal of visiting all 50 states where she fell in love with the people, landscape, and history across the U.S.. She enjoys movies of all genres, volunteering, and meditating. However, one can also find her on her sofa watching true crime shows.

Dr. Jessica White

Assistant Dean for Innovation in Teaching & Learning

UNC Chapel Hill

Jessica L. White serves as the inaugural Assistant Dean for Innovation in Teaching & Learning and a Clinical Assistant Professor with the School of Nursing at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds an Ed.S. in Instructional Design and Technology and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. She enjoys working on innovative instructional design, curriculum development, and instructional/educational technology projects that maximize student learning.

Before coming to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jessica was a Lead and Senior Instructional Designer at NC State University with DELTA and the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences (FBNS) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In this role, she led several initiatives to engage faculty in course development. She partnered with faculty to complete USDA NIFA grants to establish needed curriculum for undergraduate summer scholars and food product development. She also integrated Quality Matters (QM) into new and revised courses to achieve QM Certification.

Jessica has worked with adult learners and faculty in roles including instructor, career counseling/coaching, or instructional design. Teaching is her passion; she enjoys partnering with faculty to create courses and learning materials for student success. Jessica is a lecturer in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development within the College of Education at NC State University. Jessica enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and reading in her free time.

Dr. Tiffany Wiggins

Assistant Professor of Higher Education Administration

North Carolina Central University

Dr. Tiffany Wiggins is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education Administration at North Carolina Central University and an experienced higher education practitioner-scholar with expertise in student success, organizational development, and mentorship. Her research focuses on leadership development, particularly examining Black women's lived experiences and mentoring relationships across the academy and in the workplace. As an ICF-certified coach (ACC) and active dissertation chair and committee member, she brings both theoretical knowledge and practical experience to developing future leaders. She has held leadership roles at NC State University and Old Dominion University, serves on the Board for Cohort Sistas and NASPA Center for Women, and has over a decade of teaching and student support experience spanning undergraduate through doctoral education. Beyond her professional and scholarly pursuits, her most important role is devoted mother and co-parent to her teenage daughter.

Dr. Charlotte Williams

Director of Health Promotion

Elon University

Charlotte serves as the Director of Health Promotion at Elon University. In her role she leads professional and student teams who champion a campus culture of holistic well-being with emphasis on peer-to-peer initiatives that promote risk reduction related to sexual health, substance use and mental health. Throughout her career she’s had the joy of cultivating well-being across the lifespan from Pre-K to older adults in a variety of settings including academic, government, and healthcare. She brings a background in Public Health and intersectional lens to her understanding of higher education and the student life landscape.

A native North Carolinian, Charlotte earned her B.S. from UNC Greensboro and MAEd. From East Carolina University. She recently completed a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Change and Leadership at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education. Her dissertation was entitled You Won’t Break My Soul: Voices of Black Women Leaders at Predominantly White Institutions and the Impact of Weathering on Well-being.

Dr. Regina Gavin Williams

Assistant Professor of Counselor Education

North Carolina Central University

Dr. Regina Gavin Williams is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education and the Director of the Career Counseling Program at North Carolina Central University. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor (NC), qualified supervisor (NC), nationally certified counselor, and a licensed school counselor (GA). Dr. Williams is the 2023 recipient of the Ella Stephens Barrett Award for Excellence in Professional Leadership from the North Carolina Counseling Association. Her research focuses on college and career readiness, adult self-sufficiency, and the mental health and wellness of adolescents aging out of the foster care system. She also explores adolescent post-secondary and career decision-making, and the intersection of career development, diversity, and wellness. Dr. Williams founded and currently chairs the North Carolina Counselor Education Faculty Consortium (NCCEFC), an affiliate of the North Carolina Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NCACES). She also serves as the Best Practices Grant Chair on the 2024-2025 Executive Board of the North Carolina Career Development Association (NCCDA). Dr. Williams values her most cherished roles as a mother to two incredible children, Kara and Beau, and as a partner to her husband, Ron.