What is the importance of a good education?

Dr. Ramycia McGhee (she/her), a literature professor at LBCC and an educator with Oak Creek Correctional Facility joins us on the show this week. Tune in as we find out how education and continued learning can make a difference in a young person’s life.

 

Q: Please describe your educational/training background.

I have a BS in Broadcast Journalism, MS in Journalism, and Ed.D in Education Leadership Management.

 

Q: Please describe where you work & your occupation.

I’m a professor of English and Literature at Linn Benton Community College

 

Q: Career-wise, what have been your proudest moments/highlights/accomplishments so far?

Seeing my students excel, some have gone on to earn master’s degrees and some are even considering doctoral degrees. Receiving the Community Member Black Excellence Award from the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center at Oregon State University was a real honor. Being nominated for the Linn-Benton Community College Analee Fuentes Award is also an amazing honor, founding the Black History Essay Contest Award sponsored by the English Department here at LB, and since being here coordinating the Black History Month events and speakers, and lastly keynoting the American Association for Community Colleges fall conference in 2019. Those are some of the major highlights of my career thus far.

 

Q: What are some of your future goals or things you would like to accomplish?

I would like to establish another branch of the scholarship I created in my late mom’s honor back in Chicago where I am from, I would also like to write a book, which I am actually in the midst of doing, and lastly, I would like to win this election so I may serve on the Albany City Council.

 

Q: What have been some of your biggest career challenges?

I think overcoming ageism, I am a fairly younger professor and I started teaching while I was still in grad school, so lots of times I have received unwarranted mentorship from other women who have been faculty for a long while or even in higher education in general for a really long time. It was really counterproductive especially when I first started teaching.

 

Q: Many young women might not be aware of the career available in STEM fields. What do you think can be done to spread the word to women about career options in these fields?

I think podcasts like this, recruitment, and bringing in women to speak or mentor young ladies about the STEM fields! I know that we have always been in those fields, it just wasn’t publicized or popular, but now that is it, we have to continue to ride the momentum.

 

Q: Do you have any advice for women who are looking to follow a similar career path?

Identify a mentor, career shadow, ask plenty of questions, and trust your instincts!

 

Q: What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?

Travel!

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