The Back to Me Podcast Yoli Tamu

Another exciting school year is upon us and many incoming students, as well as graduates, are preparing to return to college to develop skills that will help them stand out in their chosen profession. In this week’s episode, we invite back renowned higher education professional, Dr. Parris Carter, who is now the Inaugural Dean of the Graduate College at Wiley University in Marshall, Texas. Dr. Carter discusses the launch of three online master’s programs in the fields of Criminal Justice, Business, and Higher Education. Find out how this private HBCU has been able to increase enrollment by highlighting the importance of equity and social justice.⁠
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Dr. Carter previously served as the Vice President for Student Engagement and Success at Wilberforce University, where he lead the strategic direction of a multifaceted division responsible for the co-curricular experience at the institution. He returned to Wilberforce University after serving as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Howard University. At Howard University, he assisted in building partnerships with the academic divisions, while implementing effective engagement initiatives that improved the student experience. In addition to his higher education work, Dr. Carter has a unique set of expertise focused on process improvement, people development, diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has assisted many non-profit and corporate organizations in assessing their equity practice and culture, while providing them with recommendations to increase their inclusivity. His Diversity Inclusion Equity and Bias (DIBS) work has been instrumental in helping CEO’s and other executive leaders understand the importance of diversity, but more so, identifying the gaps that exist, and developing strategies for improvement. To learn more about Dr. Carter and his work, connect with him on LinkedIn or email him at graduate@wileyc.edu.⁠

“Who’s got next?” is a popular phrase usually shared with the next up and coming generation. Your authentic voice, strength and courage are needed now more than ever. In this week’s episode, we are joined by well-known and highly sought after Youth Development Consultant, Meg Pitman. Ms. Pitman shares how the confidence and candor of young adults inspired her to pursue a career in youth leadership, that eventually led to working with youth in partnership. Find out what assets you will need to recognize and develop within yourself, so that you can breakthrough and lead the life of your own design.
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Ms. Pitman completed her MSW specializing in Children/Families, Management of Human Services and Interpersonal Practice at University of Michigan-School of Social Work. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She is currently the CEO of SpyHop Consulting and she formerly served as the National Director of Partnership and Collaborations at Boys and Girls Clubs of America. She has spent the last twenty years developing expertise in youth development impact measurement and program quality, collective impact and social and emotional learning. Ms. Pitman is well known in youth development and educational settings as a tenaciously positive leader who is able to mobilize divergent groups around collaborative change initiatives for youth and families. To learn more about Ms. Pitman and her work, email her meg@pitmanconsulting.org or connect with her on LinkedIn.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to hear directly from your peers! This week, we are highlighting three trailblazing scholars from Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland. We are joined by Catherine Addey, Mellany Morales and Khaleb Byrd! These powerful voices joined us for our first student panel discussion in partnership with their university. Find out why mental health is so important to these students, and learn some of their strategies to help you improve your mental health today!

Catherine Addey is a Sophomore and Health Science Scholar and she serves as two-time Queen, Thurgood Marshall College Fund Ambassador, NCNW Social Media Manager, and V.P.C.I. Vice President. She is thrilled to be a part of this discussion to spread the awareness and importance of prioritizing one’s mental health, while sharing certain healthy habits to improve it.⁠
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Mellany Morales is a Junior and Presidential Criminal Justice Scholar, who was born and raised in a little town in Central America, Guatemala called Chiquimula. In January 2019, she moved to the Unites States with her family to begin high school two weeks after her after arrival with very little knowledge of the English language. She works at the Office of Student Experience, volunteers at the Title IX Office, and interns at the Campus Police Department. She serves as the Vice President to multiple clubs and she was nominated NAMI Campus Ambassador. Recently, she was elected Coppin State's President for the Student Government Association.⁠
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Khaleb Byrd is the current reigning Mister Sophomore and he is a Management Information Systems & Accounting Scholar. Hailing from prestigious Prince George’s County, Maryland, he is a proud Spring 2024 Zeta Gamma Chapter member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.⁠
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Special thanks to our student scholars, Dr. Stephan Moore, Dr. James Stewart, and this incredible university for this memorable experience. To learn more about Coppin State University, connect on IG @thecoppinroom or visit Coppin.edu.

If you choose to enroll in college as a commuter student, building strong connections with campus resources will need to be your priority. In this week’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Tiffany Herbert, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Associate Vice President of Health and Well-Being at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Dr. Herbert shares how she co-founded Sisters United, a mentoring program dedicated to pair young women of color with faculty staff members, who have similar career interests or academic backgrounds in common. As a commuter, find out how valuable establishing a mentor relationship can be when seeking to preserve your culture and build a powerful connection of community on campus.
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Dr. Herbert completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University - Los Angeles, and she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Loyola Marymount University. She manages a multifaceted portfolio of services that include medical, mental health, basic needs, interpersonal abuse advocacy, case management, and health education programs. Dr. Herbert has proudly served the CSUDH community for 20 years and has developed countless programs designed to increase mental health for students, staff, and faculty. Most notably is the creation of Sisters United Mentoring Program for Black Women, which has connected hundreds of students with mentoring experience and resources for life success. To learn more about Dr. Herbert and her work, connect with her via email at therbert@csudh.edu, IG @torowellness or visit CSUDH.edu.

Many students are interested in seeking mental health support, but often find it difficult to balance this support with their academic schedule. In this week’s episode, Seli Fakorzi, Director of Mental Health and Client Liaison for TimelyCare joins us to share how this system of care partners with colleges, students and professors to ensure mental health support is readily available twenty-four hours a day. As the most trusted higher education virtual provider on campuses nationwide, discover the many ways this powerful App can connect you to peer support programs, culturally diverse clinicians, and relationship building workshops that are available right at your fingertips!

Ms. Fakorzi completed her M.A. in Professional Counseling at Dallas Baptist University and she received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Public Relations at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is a practicing clinician with experience in impatient and outpatient psychiatric services, crisis intervention, and clinician development. Ms. Fakorzi has also served as the Director of Psychiatric Services for multiple youth residential treatment centers. Prior to becoming a Licensed Clinician, she focused her career in the area of human resources and organizational development servicing aerospace and defense companies. In addition, she has served as a consultant to small and mid-size businesses for practices. To learn more about Ms. Fakorzi and her work, connect with her on LinkedIn, IG @timelycare or visit TimelyCare.com.

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month and it’s time to be intentional about your success! Whether you’re considering attending a four-year university or applying to a vocational program to jumpstart your career, it is important to identify an institution that can meet you where you are. In this week’s episode, Dr. Stephan T. Moore, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Coppin State University joins us to share how his university helps students remove access barriers by making sure every student has an option to be successful. Find out how this urban leading institution has been able to increase student enrollment by 5% and support HBCU pathway initiatives at two popular out-of-state community colleges. Coppin State University seeks to develop and design a partnership with their students that supports both academic and holistic development.⁠
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Dr. Moore completed his Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration at Georgia Southern University, his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Administration at Argosy University, and he received his Bachelor of Science in Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services at Campbell University. He joined Coppin State University in 2022 with over eighteen years of leadership experience in higher education with a foundation in liberal arts, vocational, and professional training programs. Dr. Moore has an extensive background in higher education research and strategic planning, emphasizing student affairs and previously served as Interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Vice Chancellor of Student Engagement at Louisiana State University, Alexandria, and the Dean of Students and Interim Vice Provost for Access and Enrollment Services at the University of the Virgin Islands. To learn more about Dr. Moore and his work, connect with him on LinkedIn, IG @drstm_coppinvp or visit Coppin.edu.