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Current career position: I am associate professor of biology at Kentucky State University. I have been teaching biology-especially microbiology-for 25 years here. I also have served in a number of leadership roles at the University-Faculty Senate President, Acting Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of an accreditation self-study, Special Assistant to the President, and other roles. However, teaching my students about biology and microbiology is my first love. When I am not working at the University, I am busy being a volunteer with Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana (currently as an outdoor education trainer of adults and as a member of the board of directors) and singing with award-winning Pride of Kentucky Chorus of Sweet Adelines International (we sing 4-part a capella "barbershop" music). Education: I have a bachelor's degree in biology (with honors) from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of Louisville. I also have completed graduate courses in science education, curriculum, and instruction from the University of Kentucky, where I completed all requirements for an Ed.D. except the dissertation. The most exciting part of my career: Biology is a fascinating discipline and gives me a wonderful "platform" to teach people, especially young people. I love the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. Therefore, the most exciting part of my career happens when former students come to tell me the impact I have made in their lives through teaching them how to be better learners and better humans. The toughest barriers to overcome to reach my current position: By far the toughest barrier to overcome to reach my current position is the fact that I do not possess a "terminal degree" (i.e., a Ph.D. or some other "doctorate."). My efforts to get a doctorate failed for a variety of reason-a lack of financial support from one institution, changing interpretations of critical academic policies at another institution, possible gender biases more prevalent then, and my own personal hurdles I could not find a way to overcome at the time. (Some free advice to you: If you can, don't stop short of a degree when you get close!) The good news is that excellence in performance of job duties can overcome such barriers, as my career has demonstrated.
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