Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Watkins.
Hi Jordan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Glimpsing into my life, you will find a student, friend, leader, daughter, explorer, podcast listener, avid traveler, fashionista, evolutionary learner, babysitter, personal assistant, brunch babe, and self-care enthusiast. I have been residing in the Tuscaloosa area since 2017 when I decided to transfer to The University of Alabama. My move to Tuscaloosa opened the door to self-discovery through the jobs I accepted, the major I abandoned, the friends I made, and the moments I will forever cherish. Along the journey and desperate for direction, I have asked myself many times if what I am doing propelling me for where I want to go. Personally, coming to Tuscaloosa was my red riding hood moment, I had a particular route in mind, a route influenced by others and not solely by me, and I was convinced that I would be fine if I just followed the path ahead. But along the road, I was prompted to reflect on the reality of what was in front of me. I became alarmed by the path I defaulted to and questioned if I could be rerouted to pursue wherever it was, I wanted to go instead, but I was stumped by what that was. Conflicted and confused, I was encouraged to organize my thoughts and then act accordingly because if not me then who.
Upon graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I was conflicted by the illusions of my reality. Uncertain of who I was, what was meant for me, how I was going to get there, and what it would look like, the uncertainty spiraled which influenced me to make decisions that I would be certain of instead. I have always enjoyed the relational component embedded as a success tactic throughout the classroom and life abroad. Specifically, the socio-cultural component of reassuring ourselves, our friends, and our families that our mental health is uncompromisable. Therefore, using this enjoyment as a green light, I began to search for opportunities that would challenge my perspective, broaden my appetite for events and moments that would fulfill me, and discover and thus chase my passion to highlight the importance of prioritizing one’s mental health.
Along this journey, I began to critically identify aspects that directed and guided my journey in favor of mental health. The root of this realization was unintentionally internalizing the minimal attention placed around the protection and progression of traditionally underserved populations. This discovery supported my efforts in investigating the readily available resources for community well-being in addition to untangling the intersectionality that present themselves and prevents progressive partnership and adequate advocacy due to the lack of foundational understanding surrounding emotional intelligence. Hosting these thoughts and yearning for inclusive conversations lead me to receiving my Master’s in Higher Education Administration and pursuing a Doctoral Degree. Although I do not have all the answers I have heavily enjoyed immersing myself in solution-based conversation. Additionally, I am dedicated to becoming a version of myself that I’ve never seen before, a version of myself that I am happy to witness, a version of myself that is inviting, inquisitive and interested in the things, places and people around me and as I continue to become this version of myself I have extended permission and grace to her to evolve as she chooses the path ahead of her to take, which has led me to where I am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Along the way some of the most challenging obstacles for me, outside of pursing a master’s degree in the mist of Covid-19, we’re diving into my subconscious and unveiling my what and my why and thus determining how I react, respond, and reset my intentions. In addition to the mental and emotional labor of participating in complex conversations just to agree to disagree, exercise, challenge and broaden my perspective. These obstacles resulted in professional setbacks, educational setbacks, and personal setbacks. I began to question my abilities, my contributions, and my journey. But in reflecting on my current state of mind, I discovered the limiting beliefs that were holding me back and therefore began to view my struggles as instructions for progression by way of how I can utilize my current situation to advocate and care for the version of myself that I am now in order to make room for the person I am becoming.
Thus, the question changed to how I can partner social justice and self-care simultaneously to produce a prosperous pathway, not only for myself but for traditionally underserved communities as well. In reflection of my personal perception, I have acknowledged that as a short African American female born and raised in the south, I will inevitably experience various forms of bias which will display itself along my lifelong road trip. Every day I experience various avenues of social justice through hegemonic relationships, powerplays, connectivity and workplace hierarchy, dominance approach, intercultural displays, Black feminism, the Black body, and the aspect of inclusive listening. Acknowledging these commonalities for equal opportunity and equal treatment improvements has not been easy but has been rewarding as I dive into the intersectional correlation between environmental well-being, emotional intelligence, cognitive development, community engagement, and the benefits they can collectively produce.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Doctoral student from Birmingham Alabama entering into my second year. I completed my undergraduate degree in accounting and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at The University of Alabama.
Previously, I worked within the Graduate school at UA and assisted with amplifying graduate students’ concerns, improving academic success measures and executing graduate programming. During my undergraduate years, I became a transformative representative for transfer students by presiding over the Transfer student association. I happily continue to exercise her leadership by constructing student conferences that promote access to institutional resources, promote community engagement, personal and professional development.
I recently served as the Founding Director for the Empowering Educators Conference highlighting the 2022 Alabama Teacher of the year and have contributed to designing curriculum and program initiatives, identifying funding sources, and offering directional and editorial input for program success implications. Additionally, I serve as a Board representative for the college of education graduate student organization and have been invited to offer my expertise to the DEI committee within the College of Education.
After completing my doctoral degree, I plan to pursue a career investigating higher education policy initiatives and the intersectionality that affect student performance and engagement including but not limited to health inequities, mental health, and environmental and sociocultural implications. I am proud to be an active leader in this space, contributing my voice to the conversation and therefore speaking on topics that have a significant importance to the future of tomorrow by way of inserting myself in spaces for partnership and collaboration. Additionally, as I use my strengths to amplify these issues, what sets me apart is my capability to embody a sense of empowered vulnerability, my appetite for failure and the lessons they offer, my creativity and spontaneity to take chances personally and professionally, and my collaborative spirit to combine likeminded people and resources together to produce remarkable results.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://empoweringeducatorsconf.ua.edu/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jorwatkinss/
Image Credits
Teaphotographystudios
