Dr. A. Tamika Quick

Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick attributes her success to a deep commitment to service, a belief in the power of education, and the young women she has the privilege of mentor and support through her work. As a first-generation college graduate, she understands firsthand the impact that access, opportunity, and encouragement can have on a person’s life trajectory.

Throughout her career, Dr. Quick has been guided by the belief that success is not an either-or proposition. She serves as both a higher education executive and the founder of a nonprofit organization, demonstrating that professional leadership and community impact can coexist and strengthen one another. The lessons she learns through her work in higher education inform her community-based efforts, while the experiences of the young women she serves continue to shape her perspective as a leader.

She credits much of her success to remaining connected to her purpose and to the communities she serves. Whether working to expand educational opportunities across New Jersey or empowering girls and young women through mentorship and leadership development, Dr. Quick remains focused on creating pathways for others to succeed.

For Dr. Quick, success is ultimately measured not by titles or accolades, but by the lives impacted, the barriers removed, and the opportunities created for future generations.

The best career advice Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick ever received came from former Vice President at a Higher Education Institution and past president of NASPA. The Vice-President encouraged her to never prepare solely for the position she currently holds, but instead to prepare for the position she aspires to attain.

That advice became a guiding principle throughout Dr. Quick’s career. Rather than focusing exclusively on the responsibilities in front of her, she learned the importance of understanding what comes next—studying leadership roles she hoped to pursue, identifying the skills and experiences required, and intentionally positioning herself for future opportunities.

Today, Dr. Quick often shares this same advice with students and emerging professionals. She encourages them to seek professional development not only for their current roles, but also for the roles they hope to hold in the future. In her view, career growth is most successful when individuals are intentional about where they are headed and take proactive steps to prepare for opportunities before they arrive.

This mindset of continuous learning, strategic preparation, and long-term vision has played a significant role in her journey from first-generation college student to higher education executive and nonprofit founder.

Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick encourages young women entering higher education and leadership spaces to be intentional about their growth, seek out mentors, and never underestimate the value of their unique experiences and perspectives.

She believes that too often young women feel pressured to choose between different passions, interests, or career paths. One of the most important lessons she has learned throughout her career is that success does not have to be defined by an either-or mindset. Women can pursue multiple interests, lead in different spaces, and create careers that reflect the fullness of who they are.

Dr. Quick also emphasizes the importance of building relationships, remaining curious, and investing in continuous learning. She encourages emerging professionals to seek opportunities that stretch them beyond their comfort zones, volunteer for leadership experiences, and develop the skills needed not only for the position they hold today, but for the opportunities they hope to pursue tomorrow.

Most importantly, she reminds young women to trust their voices and lead authentically. While there will always be people who offer opinions about who they should be or what they should pursue, lasting success comes from remaining grounded in one’s values, purpose, and vision. When young women believe in their potential and are willing to do the work required to achieve their goals, there are few limits to what they can accomplish.

According to Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick, one of the biggest challenges facing higher education today is ensuring that all students have equitable access not only to college, but also to the resources, support systems, and sense of belonging necessary to persist and graduate. While significant progress has been made in expanding access, many students continue to navigate financial barriers, mental health challenges, questions of identity and belonging, and the competing demands of school, work, and family responsibilities.

At the same time, Dr. Quick sees tremendous opportunity. She believes that institutions, communities, and policymakers have an opportunity to reimagine student success by creating more holistic support systems that address the academic, social, emotional, and financial needs of students. Partnerships between educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations have the potential to transform outcomes for students and families.

Beyond higher education, Dr. Quick is particularly passionate about the opportunity to invest in the next generation of leaders. Through her work with young women across New Jersey, she has seen firsthand the impact that mentorship, leadership development, and positive representation can have on a young person’s confidence and aspirations. She believes that preparing young people to lead, advocate, and serve is not only an investment in their future, but in the future of our communities as a whole.

Ultimately, Dr. Quick views the greatest opportunity in her field as helping individuals recognize their potential and ensuring that the pathways to success are accessible, inclusive, and attainable for all.

Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick is guided by a core set of values that shape both her professional and personal life: service, integrity, authenticity, empowerment, and continuous growth.

Service is at the heart of everything she does. Whether supporting students through higher education initiatives, mentoring young women, or engaging with her community, Dr. Quick believes that leadership is ultimately about creating opportunities for others and helping people realize their potential.

Integrity is equally important. She strives to lead with honesty, transparency, and accountability, recognizing that trust is the foundation of meaningful relationships and effective leadership.

Dr. Quick also values authenticity and encourages others to embrace who they are without feeling pressured to conform to the expectations of others. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to leading in a way that aligns with her values, purpose, and lived experiences.

Empowerment is another guiding principle. She believes that when individuals are provided with encouragement, resources, and opportunities, they are capable of achieving far more than they may initially believe possible. This belief has shaped her work in higher education as well as her commitment to mentoring girls and young women through Leading Young Women.

Finally, Dr. Quick values lifelong learning. As a first-generation college graduate, educator, and leader, she understands that growth is an ongoing process. She remains committed to learning, evolving, and challenging herself while helping others do the same.

Together, these values serve as the foundation for her leadership and her belief that lasting impact is created through service, purpose, and a genuine commitment to uplifting others.