Collegiality Portfolio

Across teaching, service, governance, scholarship, faculty development, and daily practice, I view collegiality as essential to faculty culture and institutional success. By engaging constructively with colleagues, contributing solutions during challenges, and aligning my professional commitments with Xavier University’s mission of promoting a more just and humane society, I seek to strengthen not only my division but also the broader academic community.

This statement reflects on my contributions to fostering a collaborative and mission-driven academic community. I highlight how I work with colleagues in teaching, research, and service, and how I strive to model professionalism, respect, and shared responsibility in support of Xavier’s values. 

Philosophy of Collegiality

Collegiality is grounded in respect for all voices, professionalism, and accountability. Healthy academic communities thrive when colleagues can disagree constructively, engage one another with honesty, and share responsibility for advancing institutional goals. Collegiality is not simply congeniality; it is the practice of building a culture where dialogue, collaboration, and mutual support are valued.

Collegiality in Teaching and Mentorship

In my teaching and mentoring, I model collegiality by fostering inclusive environments where dialogue and collaboration are central to the learning process. In partnership with the Graduate School Dean Amy Thierry, co-developed a graduate writing workshop that supported more than 35 students across two semesters. This initiative benefitted students while also strengthening faculty collaboration around pedagogy and mentoring practices.

As a junior faculty member, I have not yet mentored colleagues formally, but I have supported undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students through dissertation committees and ongoing mentorship. These roles reflect my commitment to cultivating the next generation of educators and scholars with respect and accountability. In both my courses and mentoring, I aim to reflect Xavier University’s mission of promoting a more just and humane society, particularly for those historically underrepresented in higher education.

Collegiality in Scholarship

I view scholarship as inherently collegial, built on collaboration, peer review, and shared intellectual growth. I have co-authored publications and presentations with colleagues across institutions, including interdisciplinary work with Dr. Stephanie Grant on hyper-segregated school in Louisiana. These collaborations required openness, respect for multiple perspectives, and commitment to shared authorship.

I also serve as a reviewer for the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the National Science Foundation, evaluating proposals and manuscripts with the goal of strengthening the work of others in the field. In addition, I review for journals such as Urban Education. Through these roles, I contribute to maintaining scholarly rigor and supporting the professional growth of peers, which I see as essential expressions of collegiality.

I also organize guest lectures and public conversations with national scholars and policy leaders, which create intellectual spaces that benefit students and colleagues alike. These events not only advance scholarship but also build opportunities for faculty collaboration and dialogue. In all of these efforts, I extend collegiality outward into the community while reinforcing Xavier’s mission of justice and service.

Collegiality in Service

My service contributions reflect a collaborative approach to advancing institutional and community goals. As Director of the Xavier University Community Outreach Center (XUCOC), I work with colleagues, staff, and community partners to design programming that connects the university to Gert Town and surrounding communities. This role requires ongoing coordination and consensus-building across diverse stakeholders.

Collegiality in Governance

My contributions to governance reflect accountability and professionalism in both division and university contexts. Within the Division of Education & Counseling, I have worked closely with colleagues on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) site visit process. These multi-year efforts required collective problem-solving, transparency, and the ability to distribute responsibilities equitably to meet external standards. Division governance has provided me with opportunities to practice collegiality at a granular level, where the success of accreditation depends on faculty members supporting one another through intense deadlines and shared responsibilities.

I have also served on university standing committees such as the Faculty Salary Committee (Co-Chair), Planning Council, Faculty Search Committees across multiple departments, and the Athletics Committee. Each of these roles has required fairness, constructive deliberation, and balancing diverse perspectives.

One concrete example of collegiality in governance occurred when our division was asked to accommodate a large cohort of teachers from a partner school system several weeks into the semester. While I welcomed the opportunity to grow enrollment, I raised thoughtful concerns about student integration, administrative processing, and fairness to existing learners. I proposed an alternative: a dedicated 8-week course led by an adjunct instructor, allowing the cohort to transition smoothly before joining summer classes. This solution balanced program growth with academic integrity and demonstrated my belief that collegiality means offering constructive solutions rather than stopping at critique.

Collegiality in Faculty Development

I have also expressed collegiality through active participation in Xavier’s faculty development initiatives. As a member of the Faculty Portfolio Working Group (FPWG), I collaborated with colleagues across disciplines to structure and refine faculty portfolios, an ongoing process that helps faculty articulate teaching philosophies, connect teaching, research, and service, and document growth over time. Similarly, as a participant in the Faculty Writers’ Group (XULA-WG), I engaged in structured weekly writing sessions, peer feedback, and progress check-ins. The group emphasizes accountability, consistency, and mutual support in advancing scholarly productivity.

Both groups fostered spaces of trust, reciprocity, and collaboration where faculty could support one another’s professional trajectories. My involvement in these communities reflects my commitment to collegiality not only within my division but across the university, as I contributed to a culture of shared growth and collective academic excellence.

Closing Comments

In sum, my approach to collegiality is rooted in respect, accountability, and shared responsibility. Whether through mentoring students, collaborating with colleagues on research and accreditation, or contributing to university governance, I seek to model professionalism and constructive engagement. Collegiality, to me, means advancing Xavier University’s mission not only by what we achieve individually but by how we work together to sustain a just, humane, and thriving academic community.