Speaker Biographies
Dorothy B. Dixon
Dorothy has organized, directed and monitored a campus-wide self study initiative of 110 faculty, staff, students and administrators. She has taught developmental math for 14 years as an adjunct and full-time faculty member.
She currently serves as Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning which provides leadership to student success initiatives and Faculty/Staff Development. She received her BS in Mathematics from Alabama State University and her MBA from Saint Ambrose University.
Her strengths and background of working with stellar schools in instructional and student services allow her to facilitate meaningful conversations to increase student completion rates. She is passionate about student success.
Martha Whitley
Martha Whitley, Faculty Director of Student Success Initiatives, Lone Star College, North Harris, develops and administers programs for new students, continuing students, and at-risk students. A faculty member since 1990, Whitley became student success director in 1999. In addition to her program responsibilities, Whitley is co-lead of the North Harris Best Start team, and is on the steering committee for Foundations of Excellence transfer focus. She holds a B. S. in English Education from the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, and a M.S. in Counseling Education from the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH. Prior to moving to Houston in 1985, Whitley was a high school English teacher in Gallipolis, OH.
Marilyn Dement
Marilyn Dement holds a bachelor's degree in applied Sociology and a Master's degree in Human Sciences. She has been employed by Lone Star College-North Harris for 17 years and currently serves in the capacity as Dean of Student Development. In addition to this role, she has written grants, is a member of several college committees, teaches the EDUC 1300 course, and is a certified Ruby Payne trainer helping people to understand the skills necessary to transition out of poverty. As a first generation student, she is passionate about helping students understand the value of a college degree.
Reagan Flowers
Reagan Flowers, PhD is CEO and founder of CSTEM (Communication-Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics). Founded in 2002, CSTEM's inclusive education methodology has been implemented in over 260 PK-12 schools and has helped close the achievement gap among ethnic-minority and underrepresented students in the STEM instructional areas.
Her pragmatic understanding of effective STEM education reform in classrooms across the nation has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the CSTEM Challenge model in each participating school. To date, over 50,000 students have been impacted by Dr. Flowers's STEM education outreach efforts. She has also authored several articles and two books.
Laura Dupree
Laura Dupree serves as an Academic Advisor at Lone Star College-North Harris where she assists first-time in college students, foster care students and Veterans. She also serves as an advisor for Phi Theta Kappa.
Laura completed an AAS in Child Development and Family Studies in 1997, a Child Care Director Certificate in 1999 and an AAS in Child Development and Montessori Infant and Toddler Education in 2004 from LSC-North Harris. She earned a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Houston-Downtown and a Master of Education from Chaminade University. She is now accepted in the Capella University PhD Psychology program with a specialization in Educational Psychology.
Carol B. Johnson
Carol Johnson is an adjunct faculty member in the LSC-North Harris Kinesiology Department. She has taught or is currently teaching aerobics, weight training, fitness for life, and yoga. She is a fitness practitioner and her fitness certifications include aerobics, yoga, kickboxing, personal trainer, body pump and zumba. She has also taught as an adjunct instructor in the Biology department at both Lonestar and Montgomery during my time with the district. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology, a Master’s degree in Biology, and will be receiving a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biology in May 2012.
Laurie Boyd
Laurie Boyd, an Advisor for Workforce Programs and adjunct professor of Education at Lone Star College where she has worked full time since 2001. Laurie is one of 11 siblings, who was the first and only in her family, to receive a degree/s in Higher Education. She obtained her Associates degree from Mesa Community College, Mesa Arizona. She earned a B.A. from Northern Arizona State University. She achieved her M.A. in Human Sciences from Our Lady of the Lake University. Laurie is a fulltime single parent. Laurie enjoys helping others realize their potential through career planning and goal setting. Laurie takes us on a journey of self discovery through a Lifemap exercise.
Shannon Davenport##
Ms. Davenport is an Assistant Vice President with Woodforest National Bank. She is also a financial instructor for the Women’s Resource of Greater Houston. Founded in 1990, The Women’s Resource of Greater Houston provides free financial education and research so that women and girls have the knowledge they need to make sound financial decisions and improve their lives. The Women's Resource classes give women, girls, and families the information they need to make informed decisions and improve their opportunities for a financially stable future. All classes are free of charge and are taught by trained volunteers recruited by The Women's Resource.
Vicki Irvin
After building her first company into a million dollar business in 12 months, Vicki started her next venture mentoring business owners. Vicki has coached over 2,000 people on how to increase their own wealth, boost their businesses and employ marketing strategies. She is a graduate of American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts and holds a Masters Degree in Human Resources Development.
Vicki has also been featured in Millionaire Blueprint Magazine, Essence Magazine, CNNs HLN Prime News, USA Today, Lifetime TV, Bloomberg Radio, Essence.com, Investors Business Daily and on the TV show Leading Experts. She is the co-author of Women on Fire, an award-winning book that has received national recognition, awards and great reviews as a representation of 20 dynamic women with powerful stories of challenge and triumph. Vickis new book, The Superwoman Lifestyle Blueprint is currently available on Amazon.
Jessica Baker
Jessica Baker is Co-Founder and Vice President of Programming for The Respect Institute. She has a Masters degree in Educational Counseling and more than a decade of success in the fields of youth development, project management, fundraising and community building. Jessica leads The Respect Institute
