Dr. Juanita C. Sharpe writes - 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"At various stages of my career I have faced challenges in leadership unique to African-American women in higher education administration. While women in academia have a difficult time with sexism, Black women have an exceptionally difficult time managing the sterotypes in leadership situations.  I will share some stories about my experiences and share some things which I have learned from these experiences and, hopefully, provide some strategies to navigating leadership in higher education."

 

Dr. Sharpe is often referred to by colleagues and friends as an "Event Horizon", the edge of a black hole where strange and interesting things happen which would not occur in normal reality.  This has led to interesting challenges in developing a leadership style that takes into account the abstract and absurd.  She has an excellent sense of humor and loves to fish!

 

As the Assistant Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University she is responsible for SACS and SCHEV compliance, oversees academic policies across units at Monroe Park and the Medical College of Virginia campuses of VCU to address university challenges.  She is involved with internal and national faculty recognitions  and  awards. 

 

Additionally, Dr. Sharpe serves as principle investigator for the Minority Access to Research Careers program and mentors several undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Sharpe earned her Ph.D. in molecular biology and biochemistry from Stony Brook University.

 

Prior to her tenure at VCU, Dr. Sharpe served as chair of the Department of Biology at Chicago State University where she was the principle investigator for several grants and mentored over forty undergraduate students in research.  She was a Pharmacology Research Associate Training Fellow in the National Insititue of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health.