Black History Month Staff Spotlight: 酒窝琼斯

黑人历史月, 酒窝琼斯, director of TEA compliance, shares what motivates her to be successful.

姓/名: 酒窝琼斯，M.Ed.

目前的标题: Director, TEA Compliance, Field Placement/Certification and Testing

部门: College of Education and Human Development

Why does it feel important to celebrate Black History Month?
The importance to celebrate Black History Month is an opportunity for me to continue to learn and research Black 历史 beyond stories of racism and slavery. A continued engagement is very important as it helps to spotlight Black achievements for our future generations to envision the past and what is to come for the future. 

What motivates you to be successful?
在年轻的时候, my parents instilled in me morals and values and to always put God first which guided me to dream big and set goals.  I took action to motivate myself to believe that I can achieve whatever I desired for my life. Success is not easy and life challenges will knock you down, 但是自我激励, I became successful and was able to instill in my children the same morals and values as my parents instilled in me.

How long have you worked in higher education and what are you most proud of as a Black individual in your career field?

I have worked in higher education for 22 years in the College of Education and Human Development here at 十大电子游艺网站排行. I have served, and still currently serve, on many university and college committees. I am most proud as a Black woman in my career to hold a position as a respected and dedicated leader. My journey began as an office associate, administrative associate sr., working my way up to the graduate certification officer and continuing in my current position as the director of TEA Compliance/ Certification and Testing. 我的旅程并不容易, but I continued to persevere and show my growth, work ethics and dedication to be able to complete such time-consuming activities and job duties while maintaining such a high standard in the office.

How does Black 历史 influence your professional or personal life?
Black 历史 influenced my professional life which allowed me to work closely with a diverse population of students, 工作人员, faculty and administrators. It also provided an opportunity to look at the different cultural backgrounds of others to create positive change within the university.

What advice do you have for the generations of Black students coming after you?
My advice to the generations of Black students is to research, learn and understand the 历史 of their ancestors.  研究ing the past and present events of their culture will help to remember they are standing on the shoulders of their ancestors. It is impossible to live in this world without acknowledging the injustice across this nation.  The more an individual knows the more they will be able do better by applying the skills to dream big, 设定并完成目标, 克服挑战, communicate with others in a diverse population, 接受教育, 从过去的错误中吸取教训, treat others fairly and learn to give with a grateful heart.

Did you learn anything new about 历史 in the Black community this year? (this could be personal or broader in a historical sense)
What stands out for me this year in my local community is the City of Beaumont made 历史 by hiring, the first Black female City Attorney, Sharae Reed; the first Black male City Manager, 肯尼斯•威廉姆斯. We’ve also sworn in the first Black female Mayor for the City of Beaumont Robin Mouton. 在国家层面上, Wes Moore was voted into 历史 as the first Black male Governor of Maryland, and Ketanji Brown the first Black female to serve as a Justice to the U.S. 最高法院. These accomplishments within the Black community, 本地和全国, should motivate the younger generations to dream big and defeat all adversities that may come their way.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I would like to add a quote from Harriet Tubman, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. 永远记住, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”