Women's History Month 2025

Commitment to Empowerment: The student actively supports women’s rights and educational opportunities, inspiring peers to pursue their goals.

Leadership and Participation: The student has participated in or organized events that celebrate women’s achievements, encouraging others to get involved.

Advocacy and Support: The student advocates for gender equity and fosters a supportive environment for all women on campus and within the community.

Collaborative with Peers: The student works effectively with others to promote initiatives that create a more inclusive campus environment.

Positive Contributions: The student’s efforts have enhanced the campus community’s appreciation for women’s contributions, fostering a supportive atmosphere.

Inclusive Teaching Practices: The faculty member demonstrates inclusive teaching that highlights the achievements of women, creating a welcoming classroom environment.

Engagement in Research: The faculty member engages in research that explores women's roles in society, contributing to discussions on gender equity.

Mentorship: The faculty member provides guidance and support to female students, helping them navigate their academic and career paths.

Community Engagement: The faculty member engages with the community to promote women’s education and empowerment, building meaningful relationships.

Practical Impact: The faculty member’s contributions have led to tangible improvements in the campus environment for women.

Support for Women’s Initiatives: The staff member contributes to programs that promote women’s education and empowerment within the university.

Teamwork and Collaboration: The staff member collaborates with colleagues to create programs that empower women and promote inclusivity.

Positive Impact on Campus: The staff members’ efforts have positively influenced the campus climate regarding gender equality, inspiring others to take action.

Community Outreach: The staff members participate in outreach initiatives that support women’s education and leadership in the community.

Creativity in Initiatives: The staff member introduces creative ideas that enhance the educational experience for women, fostering their growth.

Ongoing Advocacy: The alumni members actively advocate for women's rights and empowerment in their community, continuing their commitment to social justice.

Mentorship of Current Students: The alumni member mentors’ current students, sharing experiences and guidance to help them navigate their academic and career paths.

Community Engagement: The alumni member engages with the community to promote women’s education and empowerment, building meaningful relationships.

Contributions: The alumni member continues to contribute to women’s initiatives through volunteering, financial support, or involvement in organizations that empower women.

Advancing Women's Leadership: The alumni members have demonstrated leadership in their field, serving as a role model for current students and young professionals.

Dr. Denise Boston is an Expressive Arts Therapy Educator, Speaker, and the Equity & Restorative Practices Manager in Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity.  Her work focuses on making equitable health care topics more relevant and accessible for Black women and she specializes in creating spaces for them to have fuller and healthier relationships with themselves and others. 

Tiffany Dupree Osei is an emerging scholar and educational leader whose work spans Africana Studies, Global Citizenship Education, and Black religion. Ms. Osei’s interdisciplinary academic foundation—spanning a Master of Divinity in Theological Studies from Virginia Union University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trinity University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Howard University—informs her commitment to holistic, community-centered approaches to education. By merging Africana Studies, educational leadership, and Black religion, she advances scholarship in culturally responsive teaching and drives transformational leadership in schools. Currently a Doctoral Candidate in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education at the University of Pennsylvania (expected May 2026), her primary research interest centers on global citizenship. Through qualitative methods, including interviews, focus groups, and thematic analyses, she investigates how culturally responsive pedagogies can empower marginalized communities and shape transformative education policies.

Drawing on a background in K–12 leadership and professional development, Ms. Osei experience includes roles as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal, during which she has demonstrated excellence in data-driven instruction, curriculum development, and inclusive pedagogical practices. Notably, she has mentored educators pursuing educational leadership and planned and facilitated professional development for school leaders in Philadelphia, equipping emerging educational leaders with strategic approaches to equity and anti-racist teaching.

Her active participation in professional organizations such as the American Educational Research Association and the Penn GSE School Leadership Program Alumni Association demonstrates her ongoing scholarly collaboration and service. As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Ms. Osei aligns her passion for scholarship, community service, and sisterhood with her broader vision of empowering students and educational leaders. She currently serves as the principal of Carnell Elementary School in Philadelphia, PA. 

DeMia Goddard is a dedicated Labor and Delivery Nurse serving in Prince George's County, Maryland. A proud graduate of Coppin State University, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, graduating Cum Laude as part of the Class of 2024. With a passion for maternal and reproductive health, DeMia is committed to supporting women throughout their healthcare journey and promoting sexual well-being and education.

DeMia is honored to be a part of Coppin State University's Women’s History Month Forum, where she will share valuable perspectives on the theme “Moving Forward Together: Women, Educating and Inspiring Generations.” Her contributions focus on the importance of reproductive health education, empowering women to make informed choices for themselves and future generations.

Throughout her academic career, DeMia played an active role in student engagement and leadership, serving as a member of the Peer Mentor Group "Our House," where she provided guidance and support to freshman and transfer students. She was also part of the 93rd North Atlantic Regional Conference Medical Response Team in 2024, demonstrating her dedication to community service and health education.

An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., DeMia was initiated into the Elegant Epsilon Kappa Chapter in Fall 2021 and is currently involved with the Epsilon Omega Graduate Chapter. Outside of her professional life, she is a passionate sports fan, particularly enjoying volleyball, a sport she excelled in as part of the Coppin State Women's Volleyball team from 2018 to 2021.

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Prince George's County, DeMia’s commitment to her community is evident in both her professional endeavors and personal passions. With a heart for service and a dedication to improving the health and education of women, DeMia continues to inspire and empower those around her.

Jaden Gross is a passionate Marketing Social Media Strategist and Hair Stylist with a strong background in business marketing and beauty entrepreneurship. As a freshman Business Marketing student, Jaden combines expertise in branding, social media engagement, and digital strategy to help businesses grow their online presence. With experience as a skilled braider and advocate for young beauty entrepreneurs, Jaden is dedicated to empowering and educating women, particularly the younger generation, to build confidence and success in the beauty and business industries.

Vanessa L. Jackson EdD, MFA is an award-winning artist-educator-advocate and Associate Professor of Dance at Coppin State University. She performed professionally throughout the US and internationally in West Africa, Cuba, and South Korea. Today,  she is committed towards using her art form to bring awareness of racial and gender disparities and inequities. Her most recent artistic endeavor, Daring Artists Making Noise (DAMN Dance), Women Speaking from the Soul, explored untold stories of sexual abuse and sexual portrayals against women of color. Vanessa is also committed to supporting community projects through her community engagement program, Contemplative Practices in Living Color, a dance-theatre production workshop for young artists of color that is rooted in mindfulness, meditation and movement advocacy ideas and concepts.

Vanessa is also the Founder and CEO of Mindful Living 4 Live—a mindfulness meditation and movement program elevating the lives of women and children through the science of creative imagination and consciousness.  She continues exploring ways of integrating mindfulness and mental well-being concepts into workshops, and trainings for K-12 and higher education educators and leaders. She holds an EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership, MFA in Dance Performance (Teaching Fellow), and BA in Dance (CAPA Scholar). Her doctoral research examined dispositions of urban public-school fine arts educators through the lens of empathy and equity with a focus on culturally responsive teaching and learning. For more information contact her at [email protected] or 443-204-4546.

Jayla McCullough, a Senior Elementary Education Scholar and Baltimore native, is the reigning 93rd Miss Coppin State University and a 3-time HBCU Queen. A proud member of the Gamma Phi Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, she inspires with her dedication to education, leadership, and community service. Through campus initiatives and heartfelt outreach, Jayla uplifts her peers and leaves an indelible mark on both Coppin State University and the Baltimore community.

Reverend Rhetta Morgan is an interfaith minister, facilitator and singing healer living and working in the Philadelphia area.

Rev. Rhetta’s work encompasses the intersections of spirituality, creativity and activism, all rooted in an intention to contribute to bringing about a more just world. She leads The Ecclesia Fortify, a group that supports activists to develop spiritual practices and recently returned from South Africa working as facilitator and healer with Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity. She also recently completed a nine month stint as Artist in Residence, at Pendle Hill Quaker Retreat and Conference Center, in Wallingford PA.

Elizabeth Patton, PhD is an Associate Professor in the department of Media and Communication Studies at UMBC. She received her Ph.D. in 2013 from the Department of Media, Culture and Communication at New York University. Her research includes representations of gender, class, and race within mass media; the history of communication technology; and the impact of communication technology on space, family, and work-life balance.

Her book, Easy Living: The Rise of the Home Office, examines how the idea of working within the home was constructed and disseminated in popular culture and by the communication and real estate industries through mass media during the 20th century.

Previously, she has worked at Johns Hopkins University and New York University, advised adjudicated youth in at-risk neighborhoods in Philadelphia, and conducted volunteer media literacy training at public middle schools in Washington, D.C.

Sherida M. Santiago is a trusted business professor, Organization Development Practitioner, and advocate for transformational leadership. With over 20 years of experience in the non-profit, public, and private sectors, she specializes in leadership development, change management, and aligning people and systems to achieve measurable results. At Coppin State University, she has reimagined academic programs, built impactful partnerships, and championed initiatives that create opportunities for underrepresented populations. Her work reflects her belief that people are an organization’s greatest asset and that systems designed to empower individuals enable extraordinary change.

Beyond the classroom, Sherida hosts Ignite180, a podcast inspiring personal leadership, character growth, and transformational impact. Whether leading corporate retreats, mentoring emerging leaders, or facilitating community discussions, she brings a holistic, results-driven approach to every endeavor. Sherida’s mission is to empower individuals, foster inclusive communities, and help organizations unlock their potential, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership and impact.

Dr. Shannon Smith was born in Philadelphia, PA, the only child of two teachers.  The value of hard  

work, education and community service were instilled in her at an early age.  She attended nationally ranked Julia R. Masterman High School and consistently volunteered at many local organizations.

Dr. Smith attended Spelman College in Atlanta GA and graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology.  She subsequently obtained her Medical Degree from Temple University School of Medicine and was the recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award.

After medical school, she attended The University of Tennessee for her internship and then Emory University for a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency. Her first job post-residency was becoming the Medical Director of the Pediatric Inpatient Rehab Unit at The University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she helped the unit obtain a specialized pediatric brain injury certification, 1 of 6 facilities in the nation with such distinction at that time.  She became active in Brain Injury Awareness, Car Seat Safety and ATV Legislation on the state level.

Dr. Smith is currently in Atlanta, GA where she serves as Medical Director for Inpatient Rehab at Emory Decatur Hospital.  She is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Brain Injury Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She continues to feel obligated to serve, and has returned to Spelman’s campus to mentor pre-med students.  She also gives community health care presentations to local nursing homes and senior facilities. 

As a self-proclaimed “professional superhero” Bianca Ward comes with over 20 years of experience working in both HIV prevention and care in the Washington, DC area. She has served the community in a variety of capacities from HIV testing and counseling and program management to capacity building and technical assistance provider for state health department Ryan White Part B and ADAPs (AIDS Drug Assistance Program). In April 2023, Bianca joined ViiV Healthcare as the External Affairs Community Liaison for the DMV area. In her current role as she serves a connector, problem solver, and partner for organizations, communities, and advocates working together to combat HIV.

Dr. Kimberly D. Whitehead is the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Executive Dean at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). Since joining UMGC in January 2024, she has spearheaded academic strategy and governance, overseeing key areas such as academic administration, product planning, and operational stewardship. She established a new centralized unit to streamline faculty support and global scheduling, enhancing the university’s operational efficiency and global reach.

Previously, Dr. Whitehead served as Senior Vice President for Strategy and Chief of Staff at Medgar Evers College, where she was also the Accreditation Liaison Officer with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. At Medgar Evers, she led the college’s strategic planning initiatives, significantly boosted fundraising efforts, and developed key partnerships with JP Morgan Chase, Con Edison, and Voya Financial. She secured funding from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation for the “Spring Forward: Bridges to the Baccalaureate” program and co-authored the Brooklyn Recovery Corps Program (BRC), part of a $20.4 million grant from New York City to support community recovery through paid internships.

Before her tenure at Medgar Evers, Dr. Whitehead was Vice President and Chief of Staff at the University of Maine, where she served as a senior advisor to the president and managed daily operations of the president’s office. She led the completion of the President’s Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initial Findings and Recommendations Report and advised the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she collaborated with the university’s Emergency Command Center to oversee crisis response, operational requests, and institutional communications.

At the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Dr. Whitehead held roles such as Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and Interim Provost and Vice President. She guided the university through successful accreditation visits for programs including Business, Marketing and Accounting, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Nutrition and Dietetics.

Dr. Whitehead’s earlier career included leadership positions at West Virginia State University, Rowan University, Bowie State University, and Shaw University. She also serves as a peer evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Dr. Whitehead holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Norfolk State University and a Ph.D. in Genetics from North Carolina State University.