Dr. Shawna Patterson-Stephens on Support, Strategy, and Success

DO BETTER Revolution Podcast with Debra

In this episode of Do Better Revolution, we are honored to welcome Dr. Shawna Patterson-Stephens, a Vice President of Student Affairs and a dedicated leader in higher education. Dr. Patterson-Stephens opens up about the challenges, lessons, and personal experiences that have shaped her leadership journey, particularly as a woman of color navigating predominantly white spaces. She shares wisdom on resilience, the importance of mentorship, and the emotional toll of leadership.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The role of mentorship and how Black women in leadership have poured into her success.

• The early challenges in her career, including navigating politics in higher education and understanding the importance of “playing the game.”

• How she developed her leadership style and learned to communicate with tact without losing her authentic self.

• The emotional and mental toll of navigating toxic work environments and the importance of self-care and therapy.

• How becoming a mother expedited her growth and shaped her purpose as a leader.

Key Quotes:

• "I had enough people in my life that understood I needed to hear things said in a very explicit way."

• "If I want a certain thing to happen, there should be space for people like who I naturally am to exist."

• "The moment you feel like your wellbeing is being denigrated, maybe it's time to start thinking about how to pivot."

• "Never tell yourself no. Always ask because all that’s going to happen is the worst they can say is no."

More About Dr. Shawna Patterson-Stephens

Dr. Shawna Patterson-Stephens is an experienced educator and leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She has served as the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Central Michigan University, where she works to foster an inclusive campus culture. With a background in higher education administration, she is committed to addressing systemic inequities and enhancing educational experiences for marginalized communities. Dr. Patterson-Stephens holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership and has a reputation for her strategic leadership in advancing DEI goals across academic institutions.

Stay tuned for our next episode where we'll dive deeper into the practicalities of leadership. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast!

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