Her Story
About Kendra
My journey into education began with a BFA in studio arts and dreams of art therapy. After being accepted to Harvard University Graduate School of Education for a Master's in Art Education, I spent a year there and fell in love with teaching. I moved back to the Fort Smith area and worked as a substitute teacher to make sure this was what I wanted to do before investing in another degree. I loved it - K-12 put me in a classroom, and I just felt at home. I enrolled in an educational studies doctorate at the University of Oklahoma and applied for Teach for America in 2013, working as a core member to get my alternative teaching license. I started as a 5th grade teacher and later got my certification to teach K-12 art. I taught in public schools until 2021, when I joined the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in higher education. After 2 years as an assistant professor, I became coordinator of elementary and middle-level programs, then coordinator of teacher licensure, working with the State Department to ensure candidates had everything to successfully graduate and move into their teaching careers. As of July 1 this past year, I stepped into my role as Interim Executive Director, overseeing elementary, middle level, secondary content programs, a master's program, an early childhood program, and an on-site child development center.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kendra
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The first thing is ask questions. That's something that I was not always comfortable with, because in my upbringing, asking questions was almost like you doubted the information you were receiving, but I think that's a good thing. It's important to be critical and really probe to get that clear understanding, especially if it's not so obvious. I think too, being willing to share what you know. Sometimes when it comes to higher ed, it's like this competitive nature of holding what you know well so that others don't try to replicate it and steal your ideas, but I think that as a woman in leadership, it's really important to support and to say, here's what's working for me, and be willing to share those ideas so that you can have someone else trying it out, and then they can give you feedback of what's working for them or not, because it might even help you improve your practice as well. So just being vulnerable to share and collaborate and connect, and not hesitate to ask for help if it's needed.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being human is necessary, even in leadership, where you have to make hard decisions and present yourself as capable and as an authority figure, but it's also very important to meet people where they're at and understand that behind the roles and responsibilities in a professional way, there are those personal elements as well. I believe in the power of modeling for others, and so whatever I show up as, that's gonna be my legacy of how I'm remembered. I want it to be that I was a supportive individual, and I really do want people to respond well to my leadership. When faculty participate, I make sure to give them feedback. Appreciation also goes a long way. I try to balance work and personal life by making choices like not staying later than an hour after the clock, and on Saturdays, I don't check my email - that's something that I've promised my husband that I'll honor with him.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Arkansas
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.