James Madison University
Sisters In Session
PRESENTERS.
Brenda Lloyd-Jones
Brenda Lloyd-Jones, Ph.D., is Associate Professor and Associate Department Chair of the Department of Human Relations at the University of Oklahoma, Tulsa. Her scholarly writing and research focuses on higher education leadership and the underrepresentation of faculty/administrators of color in the U.S.
Karen Y. Holmes
Dr. Karen Y. Holmes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Norfolk State University. Dr. Holmes earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Wayne State University. Her research interests include Psychology pedagogy, and Black women’s issues, specifically, the “Strong Black Woman” cultural construct and its impact on Black women’s physical and psychological health.
Cheryl Talley
Dr. Cheryl Talley teaches in the Behavioral and Community Health Sciences program at Virginia State University. Her research examines the interplay of affective neuroscience, race and culture in educational disparity. Additionally, she is committed to cultivating serenity, balance and health- first in her own life and then with others.
Ernestine W.W. Duncan
Dr. Ernestine A.W. Duncan, is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Norfolk State University. Dr. Duncan earned her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Clinical Psychology from Georgia State University. Dr. Duncan’s research interests include health psychology and more specifically, HIV/AIDS prevention in African Americans. Her clinical interests include working with children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Marsha Mays-Bernard
Marsha Mays-Bernard is an Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and University Planning at James Madison University. She holds a B.S. from Hampton University and an M.S. from James Madison University. She is founder of Dynamic Balance Consulting, LLC, certified in holistic stress management and trained in mindfulness stress reduction.
Khadijah O. Miller
Dr. Khadijah O. Miller is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of History and Interdisciplinary Studies at Norfolk State University. Dr. Miller earned her PhD in African American Studies and Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from Temple University. Her research interests include Black women’s studies, African American studies and the interdisciplinarity of non-traditional students (online and adult).
Erica Wallace
Erica Wallace earned degrees from Davidson College (2010) and Clemson University (2014) and currently serves as the Coordinator for Peer Mentoring and Engagement at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She works primarily with students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and community college transfer students.
Bernadette J. Holmes
Dr. Bernadette J. Holmes, is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Norfolk State University. Dr. Holmes earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology, with concentrations in Criminology, Gender and Social Psychology from The Ohio State University. Her research interests include criminology, gender issues, specifically violence against women and community development.
Jonnie Wilson
Ms. Jonnie Wilson is the Assistant Director in the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion at Texas State University. Jonnie has a MA from University of Missouri-Columbia in History. She is currently pursuing Master's Degree in Professional Counseling at Texas State University. Her interests are women issues, abuse, trauma, and Black history.
Ariel Cochrane-Brown
Ariel Cochrane-Brown research interests focus on the retention and graduation of African American students attending predominantly white institutions and is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Research & Policy Analysis at North Carolina State.
Shanza A. Isom
Shanza A. Isom is an Assistant Professor in Teaching and Interim Director of Field Education at VCU with research interests in community engagement, student succes and retention and field education. She studies spirituality, midfulness and its impact on wellness and success.
Cheryl M. Adeyemi
Cheryl M. Adeyemi is Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Economics, administers a $1.5M NSF grant for secondary mathematics pre-service teachers with research interests in their preparation, STEM, culturally responsive mathematics pedagogy among other areas.
Sydney Y. Rucker
Sydney Y. Rucker is a doctoral candidate in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at Indiana University. Her research interests focus on community engagement, partnership development, and university-community relations. Sydney is passionate about international education and global citizenship development.