Felicia McGhee
Felicia McGhee is an accomplished higher education leader and scholar, currently serving as Associate Dean at the Florida A&M University School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. She brings over 15 years of experience in academia, having dedicated more than a decade to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she progressed from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and served as Department Head. Her expertise lies in communication, information sciences, and higher education administration, combining scholarly insight with practical leadership.
Felicia earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Communication & Information Sciences from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Throughout her career, she has been committed to mentoring students, fostering academic excellence, and advancing institutional initiatives that strengthen both faculty and student success.
Known for her dedication to education and leadership, Felicia emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking, collaboration, and service in shaping the next generation of communicators. Her work bridges academic research, administrative leadership, and student engagement, reflecting her passion for empowering learners and supporting faculty development in dynamic higher education environments.
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville- Ph.D.
• The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga- M.P.A.
• University of Michigan- B.A.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to an innate drive that doesn’t stop, pushing me to keep learning, growing, and striving for excellence in every endeavor.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my mom, who asked, “Five years from now, what are you going to show for it?”—a question that keeps me focused on results—and from my mentor at UTC, whose guidance has been invaluable in shaping my professional path.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is maintaining a healthy work-life balance while meeting the demands of higher education leadership.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are family, effective leadership, and continuous learning; I also cherish personal growth, research, and making time to relax and recharge through hobbies like golf, movies, and quality time with friends.