If I Can Help Somebody as I Pass Along

Abstract

As the author reflects on her journey of becoming the first African American female to receive tenure and promotion to the rank of full professor beginning at the rank of lecturer, to assistant professor, associate professor and then to full professor and retired as Professor Emerita, she is amazed at the stamina that she used to achieve such milestones. “If I can help somebody, as I pass along,” has been the author's mantra for helping others. Therefore, this chapter begins with a synopsis of the author's career goal that was set early in life as an educator. The chapter continues by sharing stories that are embedded in: (a) the author's personal story at Texas A&M University; (b) a mentoring framework; (c) advantages of mentoring, and (d) lastly, her 4 Cs (communicate, create, collaborate and change) and 4 Ps (politics, power, policies, and prayer) to encourage the next generation of African American faculty members.

Citation

Larke, P.J. (2024), "If I Can Help Somebody as I Pass Along", Walker, B.L. (Ed.) Journeys of Black Women in Academe (Diversity in Higher Education, Vol. 26), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 85-102. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-364420240000026005