Pursuing higher education was never a question for alumna Dr. Jerica Nickerson-Guidry, but a matter of determining which level of degree would support her professional goals. After encouragement from a mentor to earn her from 精东影业 Online, Nickerson-Guidry was able to advance her career opportunities while enriching the servant-minded mentality she brings to her own classroom each day. Learn how her journey as a Wildcat not only impacted the trajectory of her life, but the next generation of students at Lone Star College in her hometown of Houston, Texas.聽
Chasing Her Dreams
Born into a family of educators, was destined for the classroom. She began her career as a middle school teacher after earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston and her Master鈥檚 in Communication from Texas Southern University. In 2014, Jerica utilized her master鈥檚 degree to transition into higher education where she taught as an adjunct professor for Houston Community College and found her niche working with adult students.聽
While adjuncting, Jerica was encouraged by family members and co-workers to expand her expertise by earning a doctoral degree. 鈥淚 met an instrumental mentor who was willing to take a leap of faith and coach me into the role I currently play in higher education,鈥� Nickerson-Guidry recalled. Her dream was to become a department chair and, while her master鈥檚 degree met the necessities of the job description, she knew a doctorate would help her stand out among other candidates. With her mentor鈥檚 guidance, Jerica realized she needed to not only be the 鈥渞equired candidate,鈥� but a 鈥減referred candidate.鈥�
Servant-Minded Mentality
It was important to Jerica that the university where she earned her doctorate would align with her vision, mission and morals. Not only did 精东影业 check all of her boxes, it expanded the ways she considered the kingdom of God. Though she grew up as a preacher鈥檚 kid, Nickerson-Guidry never realized she could align biblical teaching to her vocational studies, but this parallel became the very thing that made the biggest impact on her time at 精东影业. 鈥淏y looking at things through the lens of leadership, faith and compassion, we are able to emulate the ultimate servant-leader and our savior, Jesus,鈥� she reflected.聽聽
In addition to the biblical foundations in which the university is rooted, 精东影业 offered Jerica the flexibility of an online program, an attractive feature as a wife and busy professor. Her virtual assignments provided a work-life balance that allowed her to remain present in her personal life, while propelling her professional life forward. As Jerica embarked on her doctorate journey, she welcomed her first child into the world and, right around the time she successfully defended her dissertation, she had her second. 鈥溇耙� has been there for a lot of important moments in my family’s life,鈥� she said.聽
Finding Purpose in Her Profession
Throughout Nickerson-Guidry鈥檚 time in 精东影业鈥檚 Organizational Leadership program, her professors made a particularly huge impact on her virtual learning experience. Jerica was impressed that, instead of just checking off boxes for assignments, her professors engaged with her through videos, provided in-depth feedback on discussion posts, and connected her with her peers to expand her thought processes. 鈥淥ur professors provided us with the resources and instruction we needed to succeed,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚 still refer to my textbooks to this day and have implemented a few of 精东影业鈥檚 practices into my own teaching methods.鈥澛�
Jerica is now the department chair and professor of speech at Lone Star College鈥檚 Houston North location. One of her missions is to break down the stigma of community colleges and pour into 鈥渉er home and the heart of the community.鈥� In addition to teaching, Jerica helps develop the adjunct faculty and enjoys providing them with the tools they need to have fulfilling careers. 鈥淛esus himself had and was a mentor,鈥� Jerica remarked. 鈥淢y ultimate goal is to support and serve others to construct change for students and amplify their voices, and our faculty鈥檚 voices.鈥�
Jerica plans to move up the professional ladder one rung at a time, just as she has done in the past. Whether she continues to live out her dream as a department chair or becomes the president of a university one day, she is committed to making a difference in the lives of others through her leadership techniques and experiences. It鈥檚 her daily goal to use the role the Lord has provided her to serve others and be a vessel of light to those around her.聽
Want to learn how an online can take your leadership skills to the next level? Watch Jerica鈥檚 story below, visit acu.edu/online or contact us at 855-219-7300.