The College of Human Sciences honors Women's History Month by sharing the voices of our students, faculty, and staff. These voices honor women past and present and anticipate a bright future for the college.
"Red to Black Peer Financial Coaching represents the college by providing financial education and outreach to individuals within the TTU community. As a woman in our college, I am thankful for the opportunity to help lead an organization that prepares students to make an impact on the world around them that, ultimately, improves the society in which we live."
-Tiffany Murray, PFP Graduate Student
"As a first-gen Latina, I hope that my presence as a professor offers a comfortable space for my female students and any woman wanting to pursue higher education. Women representation in academia matters; it matters for the next generation of female faculty."
-Leslie Cuevas, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hospitality and Retail Management
"I serve as an associate chair, program director, and professor of practice for the Department of Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences. Within all of my varied roles, my goal is to empower those around me to reach their full potential. One of my favorite quotes is 'People are born as assets, not liabilities.' (Bill Strickland, Make the Impossible Possible) This is the experience I want others to have when we work together – to know that they are an asset."
-C. Nichole Morelock, Ph.D., LMFT, Associate Chair, Department of Community, Family, & Addiction Sciences
"As a department chair and as a woman in academia, my motto is to always behave as if I always belong in the room. I believe it is important to showcase confidence, collaboration, and consistency in communication. My goal for long-term impact is to continue to shatter the glass ceiling."
-Ann M. Mastergeorge, Ph.D., Department Chair, Human Development and Family Sciences
"I have been fortunate to have a career in higher education spanning four decades. Over these decades, there has been a historic increase in the number of women leaders, faculty, and students (Jaschik, 2020). I think that the catalyst for this increase is the impact of Title IX on campus cultures. Higher education helps to reduce inequities and bias to all underrepresented people; and, it is an important means of empowering these students with knowledge and skills. Serving as a professor in the College of Human Sciences allows us the privilege to empower students with knowledge and skills; serving as chair enables me, along with the faculty, to create a positive environment to make this happen."
-Sharran F. Parkinson, Ph.D., Department Chair, Department of Design
"My role as a professional woman in the College of Human Sciences is important to me as it challenges me and shows the work ethic my mom instilled in me. I hope that I'm able to impact other women to find that role that challenges them by leading by example."
-Cindy Villegas, Business Manager, Department of Design
"My role as a woman in the COHS is to continue the work of strong, intelligent women like Carrie C. Catt who fought for women's right to vote. Nothing makes me more proud than to see former students volunteering at voting locations and posting positive informed voting messaging on their social media! It warms the cockles of my heart to think I had a small part in forming educated, broad-minded citizens of the United States!"
-Mara Driscoll, Instructional Designer, Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences
"My roles in the college are associate dean for academics and faculty and professor of Personal Financial Planning. Mentoring has made a difference in my life and I hope to make an impact through mentoring faculty, staff, students, and alumni."
-Dottie Durband, Associate Dean for Academics and Faculty
"As assistant director of external relations, I am able to make connections with alumni and external stakeholders that further our mission to improve and enhance the human condition. I hope to always be a woman that supports other women, both in our college and our community because women play a vital role in improving and enhancing the human condition in our families and communities."
-Caroline Kolins, Assistant Director of External Relations
"My role here in the college is to provide the highest level of support I can to our leadership and participate by lending my knowledge and expertise to achieve leadership vision and goals. I value this role and enjoy it very much. I am grateful for the opportunities to grow as a professional woman here in the college. My desire is to lead in a way that empowers staff to feel valuable in their contributions and to support the college to open up opportunities for other staff as well."
-Jodi Martin, Senior Director for Financial and Administrative Services
"As a working mother with two young girls and attending school, I hope I can encourage prospective students to know it is possible to work, be a mother, and further their education. I hope I can make an impact on our students by empowering them to know it is never too late to chase after those dreams and strive for greatness within yourself."
-Tristin Campbell, Executive Associate, GPIDEA Campus Coordinator
"Women continue to be significantly underrepresented among financial planning professionals, with approximately 25% of CFP® professionals being women. As a professor who has been actively involved in the profession nationally, I am proud to show our female students that women can be successful and become leaders in this amazing profession."
-Vickie Hampton, Chair, Personal Financial Planning
"When I think about my role as an advisor and instructor, I feel a personal connection with the quote, 'Empowered women empower women.' I have been so blessed to work in an environment that celebrates the success of faculty and staff in all capacities and I gladly own the responsibility to pass that on to each new cohort of students that pass through the college."
-Ashlee W. Brown, M.S., Director, Advising & Retention
"I want to promote success through encouragement, support, and knowledge. "Here's what you need, now go get 'em!" sums up how I try to impact both the students and faculty I serve."
-Ashlee Murden, Business Manager, Family and Consumer Sciences Education
"Making an impact is possible through listening—listening to the needs and ideas of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the community. By listening intently and advocating for others, I strive to improve and enhance outcomes through my teaching, research, and administrative efforts."
-Mitzi Lauderdale, Associate Dean for Students