My educational experience at North Carolina Central University was phenomenal.
The criminal justice curriculum was designed to provide not only theory, history and statistics, but it also provided a component to enhance, expose and introduce professional life skills.
I can remember academic exercises where I was required to prepare arguments and justifications to support my position to the opposing team.
This has truly assisted me in being an effective negotiator, and it heightened my ability to eliminate emotional and subjective factors and make decisions based on facts and circumstances.
The extensive writing and research I completed as a criminal justice student enhanced my critical thinking and innovative skills.
During the early years of my career, when I was tasked to write and complete strategy and business plans, policy and procedures, budgets and vulnerability assessments, I felt more than confident that I was able to deliver with ease -- thanks to the well-rounded education I received at NCCU.
As a native of an urban center, Baltimore, Maryland, I always had my guard up.
However, when I planted my feet on NCCU’s campus, I felt so relaxed.
The students, professors and community members were so approachable. They embraced me with open arms and looked past my coat of armor.
The southern hospitality was nothing less than stellar. The healthy relationships that were formed and fostered during my tenure at NCCU are memorable and priceless.
My parents motivated me to achieve. They also instilled in me a strong work ethic, and they always told me that I could do and be anything I desired.
NCCU embraced that same philosophy. The administration and support resources were intended to propel students to achieve limitless aspirations and purpose.
NCCU expectations were high and would not allow for the slightest deviation.
It is almost impossible to achieve success without challenges and criticism. I remember being told to turn those obstacles into lessons learned and transform those experiences into opportunities to grow and soar like a NCCU Eagle.
These are the core values I often share with my sons 16-year-old Khyle and 13-year-old Khris.
I became Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s first female director of security in 2011.
Prior to working at the airport, I had a successful career in corrections including a tour of duty as a deputy warden at a regional jail in Virginia.
I also have the pleasure of working with a NCCU law school graduate, Michael Smith, who is the airport’s senior deputy general manager.
As I continue my career journey, I frequently call to mind a quote by George Bernard Shaw, “Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get.”
And thanks to the rock solid educational foundation provided by NCCU, I’ve been able to get success and enjoy incredible personal and career achievement.
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