Dr. Monika Williams Shealey serves as senior vice president of the newly created Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ.
Throughout her career, Dr. Shealey has examined the experiences of traditionally marginalized group and enacted change to promote social justice and equity. In her new role as senior vice president of the newly created Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Dr. Shealey leads the helm, impacting individuals across the university as well as the university itself.
Beth Dombkowski:
Hello, my name is Beth Dombkowski, and I'm coming to you from the Office of Admissions at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey.
Beth Dombkowski:
Welcome to another episode of Rowan Confidential. I am joined today by Dr. Monika Williams Shealey. Dr. Shealey has been serving Rowan University since 2013 after having held academic appointments at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Florida International University and University of Missouri at Kansas City. Dr Shealey has recently transitioned from the College of Education to her new role as senior vice president in the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She holds a bachelor's degree in specific learning disabilities, a master's in varying exceptionalities, both from the University of South Florida, an ed specialist in reading and learning disabilities from the University of Miami, and a PhD in education from the University of Central Florida. These degrees and specializations have contributed to Dr. Shealey's ability to examine the experiences of traditionally marginalized groups and enact social change to promote social justice and equity. Dr Shealey, thank you so much for joining us today.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
Thank you for having me.
Beth Dombkowski:
Welcome. I did want to ask you a few questions. What wakes you up in the morning? What is your inspiration, or your passion?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
Wow, that's a great question. My inspiration for the past seven years, coming here to Rowan, it's the inspiration I've had since I went to college and realized that I wanted to become an educator. When I was a freshman at the University of South Florida, I was a business major and I took a class in education, special education just on a lark. I just felt like, oh, I needed a break from my business courses, and I just felt like I needed to know more about other areas. So, I self-advised, which we tell our students not to do. I took an education course, it changed my life.
Beth Dombkowski:
It's so funny that you're saying that because we've spoken to a number of guests that say that their path that they started on is not where they finished.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
I believe that. I think we end up where we're supposed to end up, but sometimes the road is windy. And, for me, I went to college thinking I wanted to own a business, be a leader. And what I've realized that, I'm a leader in education. And so, those characteristics that I saw in myself in college, to be in business, and to make decisions, and to have a team working around me, I get to live those out every day as an educator. So, when I decided to become a teacher, a special education teacher I realized how passionate I was about advocacy and making sure that I created a space, a pathway for those who historically didn't have voice, weren't able to use their voice. And so, even though I've transitioned from College of Education dean to this new position that serves the entire university in issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, that passion that I had as a special educator is still there.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
It's the passion to educate, to empower, to enlighten, to support. And it brings me to this campus excited, and just ready to collaborate with others who have that same passion. And sometimes I have to collaborate with those who don't feel that same passion.
Beth Dombkowski:
Oh yes.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
But I am excited that I can bring them along. And there are so many stories of people that have thought differently about issues because of conversations, or programming. And so the opportunity to do that excites me.
Beth Dombkowski:
So, in your position, what do you see as your impact on the world?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
I would hope my impact would be that I'm creating opportunities, and opportunities for those who historically may not have seen their place in higher education. In our division for diversity, equity and inclusion it's our job to help people to see their role in making our college campus more inclusive, more equitable, but how we do that for society. And so, as we think about our time at Rowan as a student, a faculty, a staff member, as a parent of a student at Rowan, as a community member who's watched the university grow and thrive, I hope that they can also see the diversity of our campus.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
And when I speak about diversity, it's broad diversity. We're talking not just race, and gender, and class, those go-tos that we often talk about. We're talking about diversity of thought, diversity of perspective, of experience. So, you know what? That includes everybody. So, the impact that I'm able to make in leading this division, I hope, is to help people to see how connected we are to each other, and to see the humanity in each of us. And so, if I'm able to engage in that kind of work every day I believe I'm contributing to making our world better and making a positive impact that will be long lasting.
Beth Dombkowski:
How long have you been with Rowan University?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
I'm in my seventh year.
Beth Dombkowski:
Seven years?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
Yeah.
Beth Dombkowski:
Wow, okay. And this department did not exist prior to your tenure here?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
Absolutely. Last year, I was in my sixth year as Dean and I, honestly, didn't see myself staying at Rowan for six years. I feel like I am a builder, I like to build structures and systems that don't exist or rebuild, rebrand. I love that systems work. So, I came to Rowan at the time when we were really shifting to a more research-focused institution. I remember the call I got from the provost saying, "We need a new Dean at Rowan, we got your name." And I said, "Rowan, where's that?" New Jersey, no thank you. And I'm so glad I didn't say no because once I heard about its roots as a teacher's college and most of the community, they were really vested in Glassboro normal school, Glassboro State, and now Rowan University.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
So, I realized that I was coming to a place that was exciting and growing. And so, I came to really rebrand our College of Education to take it into a more research-focused context and help us to build infrastructure around the research and community engagement. I feel like I've done that. In the last six years, we've been building and now someone needs to make sure that ship is still steering, and maintaining. And so, I was at a crossroads, what is it that I want to do next in my career? Had a conversation with the provost, at the time Jim Newell, and talked about my aspirations to build. And he said, "Monika, there's an opportunity because we need to build in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion." And, honestly, I didn't think that was my next step. I thought I should, surely, stay on the academic path.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
But that opportunity spoke to me because that's what I was doing in the College of Education. We rebranded ourself as a college of ed focused on social justice and equity. We made hiring decisions, we developed programs, we supported students, faculty, and staff around social justice and equity. And so, I'm presented with an opportunity to do that campus wide.
Beth Dombkowski:
For the whole university, wow.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
I couldn't pass it up.
Beth Dombkowski:
How many education departments in schools across the country do you think are organized that way and have those goals? Are we unique in that?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
I think that, of course, the root of education is really about opportunity and access. And so in education, particularly my background in special ed, I was trained to make sure that I provided opportunities and created pathways for students to be able to learn, and to have opportunities to grow not just academically but social, emotional, personal. And so, I think colleges and schools of education across the country are committed to educating, empowering, and also advocating. But to engage in systemic work around social justice and equity is very different.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
And so, for Rowan University to rebrand its College of Education around social justice and equity it's timely, and it's also something that sets us apart from other schools and colleges of education because then all of our faculty are hired because they have that commitment. They demonstrated through their research and their service that commitment. We develop programs and services around those efforts and so it becomes our identity.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
And so, it's so important in education and, particularly, at this time where people are questioning higher education, why should I invest in higher education? Is it going to get me the return I want? To say that we're preparing educators to work with the neediest students in our country, if they could work with the neediest students they can find success with all students. And so, I was excited to work with faculty, and staff, and students in the College of Education to do that.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
Now, I get to do that university wide and work with folks that I haven't even met before at the university from facilities to human resources to student affairs. I'm excited about where this work is taking me.
Beth Dombkowski:
It sounds phenomenal. I mean, the reach that you have now, not that you didn't have a large reach in the College of Education, but now across the whole university I think that's really going to change a lot of policies and procedures in place.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
I hope so.
Beth Dombkowski:
Great. What would you say your proudest professional accomplishment is?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
About four years ago I was thinking about how our college would take on some of the most persistent issues in public education and make a positive impact locally, regionally, and nationally as well. What are those issues that schools and colleges of education are facing, public school districts are facing that we could offer a solution to? And so, I was reading some research and some articles and this theme kept coming up about diversifying the teacher workforce. I heard about programs around the country, communities that were saying, "We want our schools to be more diverse. We want our teachers to reflect the diversity of our students." I talked to colleagues, other deans, and they were struggling with the same issues. We were all at predominantly white institutions teaching females to be teachers. And our workforce wasn't changing. It didn't reflect what we believe that our students needed.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
And so, I started a project increasing male practitioners and classroom teachers, Project Impact. And the program is really focused on preparing and supporting diverse male educators. And it's really rooted in not just the research, and what we're seeing nationwide, but what I saw at Rowan. Our classrooms were filled with white women and very few men, particularly in the early grades. And, personally as a mother of two boys, I saw the impact that male teachers had on them in the early grades and they continue to have male teachers and I see the difference that it makes in them. And they have role models in education, and so they know that education is a career pathway for men and not just for women.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
And so, we started this program and I brought together people on campus from student affairs, academic affairs, faculty admissions, people that were working on recruitment and retention issues. And I said, "This is a national problem and we can do something about it." I talked to local school districts during my first two years here, I said, "Tell me what you're facing, and what are the issues we can help you with." And from suburban, to rural, to urban school teachers they all said the same thing, "We want diverse teachers. Can you produce more diverse teachers?"
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
So, Project Impact is in its fourth year, about 20 young men have committed to the teaching profession. They have mentoring support from The Men of Color Network, teachers, superintendents, principals from all over South Jersey meet with them once a month on Saturday, they give up their Saturdays, they mentor them individually. And that program is my proudest moment. And I didn't realize it would be until I said goodbye to all of those students at the end of last year. And I saw their faces, and they talked about how the program is changing their lives. They never saw themselves as teachers and now they're excited to go back, some into their own communities where they grew up, to mentor other students.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
So, the fact that I played a small role in changing the trajectory of students' lives, and the lives of their families, and communities that makes me proud and I'm just excited to be a part, still a part of that program. And, now, in our division we get to support those students that came in through Project Impact, and so I stay connected to them and that's exciting.
Beth Dombkowski:
So, that program is in its fourth year, you're about to graduate your first class of-
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
Next year, yes.
Beth Dombkowski:
How exciting. Do you know where they're going to be employed yet? Do they know where they're going to be employed?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
No, they don't know, but they get offers all the time. As Dean, I would take the students around the country, and we traveled internationally as well to share Project Impact's work. And everywhere we went school districts would say, "Can you come to our school? We'd love to hire you." And those students now engage in field trips in school districts all around the state. And when they go into schools the principals are saying, "Let us know when you're ready to get a job," because they are in high-demand. And the fact that we're playing a small role in really transforming the teacher workforce is laudable, but I think that there's so much more work to be done.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
So, Rowan is leading, our program is a model in the state, but also in the country. There are very few programs like this. And it's not just a college of ed initiative, it's a university initiative. The support comes from the university.
Beth Dombkowski:
And do you see that program growing to different areas or have you seen the numbers of students interested in the Impact program growing over the years?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
Oh, absolutely. We now have students that can go out and help us to recruit now. When we were starting the program we could only try to help the students to envision what their life would be like as a student here at Rowan, and as a teacher. But, now, we have mentors and students, Project Impact students that are able to go out, and to recruit for us. And our supports and resources have grown as well on campus-
Beth Dombkowski:
That's always good news, yes.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
The university is much more diverse than it was when I arrived in 2013. So, I think that, certainly, we are seeing other institutions in the state saying, "Monika, how did you all create Project Impact? And we spent time talking to them about how to develop a program, and actually there's some other programs growing at Montclair and William Patterson as well. Last year, we hosted the very first Diversifying the Teacher Workforce Conference here at Rowan.
Beth Dombkowski:
Really?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
We did. It's the first time ever we hosted it and Project Impact students, and mentors, and staff members presented too. And we thought we were just going to bring in people from the state. We had people from as far away as California and Florida who flew in and, certainly, on the East Coast. So, we feel like we are definitely establishing a model for others to follow.
Beth Dombkowski:
And meeting a need, an unmet need. That's great.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
Absolutely. That's what Rowan's about, right?
Beth Dombkowski:
Yeah, certainly is. How would you advise the parent of an incoming student to engage in programming offered by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
I often get responses when I tell people I'm working in the DEI space they say, "Oh, so that's programming for people that are different, or people that are not white." And I say, "Absolutely not. Diversity is much broader than race and ethnicity." I think, it's unfortunate that it's become code, that diversity has become code for race. But diversity is broader than that. And we have multiple identities as humans. So yes, I happen to be an African-American female from the South, a mother, I could go on and on with the identities that I bring to Rowan every day. And so, the division is creating a space for everyone to explore those multiple identities, and how they help to filter how you make sense of the world.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
And so, I see this as an opportunity for students who may have grown up in areas where they didn't experience a great deal of visible diversity, or they didn't talk about issues of diversity, and equity, and inclusion. This is an opportunity for them to grow and develop. And as you get to know more about other people you start to know more about yourself. You start to better understand how your experiences influence who you are today. The division offers not only a space for exploration, but it also ensures that this is a safe campus. Our Office for Student Equity and Compliance makes sure that we support students and we protect students, if they experience any kind of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, we have a safe space for them. So, not only is the division the place where we educate, empower, but it's a place where we also enforce and make sure that we are complying with state and federal laws as well as it relates to the protected categories.
Beth Dombkowski:
Now you've already told us what brought you to Rowan. So, my last question, why Rowan? Why are you still here? Why are you staying at Rowan?
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
Yeah, that's a great question. I came to Rowan at a time where I was associate dean for teacher education, and the next step after associate dean is dean. And so, this was my first deanship, and I feel like I hit the jackpot because I came to a place where I got to really vision, engage envisioning, faculty and staff work hard, the community is supportive, and we have a president who has a vision for access, affordability, quality, being an economic engine. All of the things that I was looking for in a higher ed institution I found here at Rowan. And so, I was able to engage in meaningful and impactful work as dean.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
I didn't realize that I would be staying here in year seven still engaging in meaningful and impactful work as senior vice president, I didn't see that coming. I really thought that I would move to the next institution after serving as dean for 5 to 10 years and then maybe move on to a provost position, or something academic, or another deanship. I just never saw this opportunity as an option for me.
Monika Williams Shealey, Ph.D.:
But now that I'm here at Rowan, and I am in a community who support the work that we're doing in diversity, equity and inclusion, they support it, they believe in it, and they are so welcoming it's hard to leave. I've been at institutions that have not been as welcoming and supportive. And so, I feel like Rowan has become the extension of my home. And so, in some ways, it was hard to say goodbye to the College of Education, but knowing that I was staying at Rowan made it so much more manageable, and made the work that I'm doing every day in this new division, it makes it so exciting. I'm excited every day to come here and I hope that in five years I can come back and talk to you about all the amazing things that we've been able to build and, now, sustain as a result of the efforts we're making today.
Beth Dombkowski:
Thank you so much for coming in today. I hope that we don't wait five years before we hear from you again. Rowan is so lucky to have you. This has been Dr. Shealey speaking with us for Rowan Confidential.