Let’s meet Dr. Ansley Booker!
Dr. Booker and I have mutual friends and I am connected with her on LinkedIn. In addition to being a wonderful person (personally), she is a mover and shaker in her professional and community work. As a University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University and Rural Leader 40 under 40 recipient, along with many other awards and recognition, Dr. Booker has worked her way up to her current position of Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. At the time of our chat, she was serving in the role of Director for the Educational Opportunity Center (often referred to as EOC) at Mercer University. She earned her PhD in Higher Education and Higher Education Administration from Mercer University and also holds an advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Georgia. In the midst of ALL of this scholarly activity, Dr. Booker still finds time to manage and run a small business, volunteer in her local and surrounding community and enjoy life. Sounding like a millennial….am I right? Let’s get into the interview.
The Interview
This series of blog posts will include individual interviews with millennial leaders in a variety of professional environments. There were no protocols nor a defined list of questions asked—after all, I didn’t clear this with IRB and we aren't conducting a research study. This interview consisted of three ‘stems’ to which each participant provided open-ended responses. There were no right or wrong answers and participants were able to provide as much or as little information as desired.
Talk to me about your journey to your current leadership position(s).
“I’ve always wanted to help people….deep down I’ve always wanted to help people.”
Dr. Booker begins by outlining her journey to the position of Director of EOC. Although she completed an undergraduate and masters degree in STEM/STEAM, she stated that she did not always have the desire to do diversity and inclusion work.
“How do you transition from STEM to diversity and inclusion? … I was noticing things with myself, also being a STEM major, [I] was being excluded from certain research opportunities and certain classroom assignments. I wanted to tell that story. It was really important when Hidden Figures was released, it brought those issues and problems to the big screen and [to] the forefront.”
Dr. Booker explains that the personal connection and identification with those she led and served in her various roles within the EOC and TRiO programs at her institution, led to her dissertation research on barriers to success of Black and African American women with STEM doctoral and professional degrees (to read Dr. Booker’s dissertation, click here).
“I know for me, I have a personal buy-in to this type of work. For me it was a deep-seeded need and intrinsic need to help more women of color succeed in a field that has not always accepted, welcomed and celebrated them.”
For Dr. Booker, its about strengthening the pipeline. Encouraging the next generation(s) of Black and brown women who have an interest in STEM education to enter into the pipeline of cultivation for STEM careers. She also notes that while the data continues to show that the pipeline is not set up for women of color and people of color to succeed, the diversity and inclusion work being done by people like her (e.g. directors and upper-level administrators in higher education) help to alleviate some of the systemic barriers to access of STEM education—thus opening access to STEM careers. Equal access and opportunity to a quality education are also areas of importance for Dr. Booker. Contributing to that cultivation and education of the next generation is paramount for her. Reminds me of that Disney movie Robots, see a need, fill a need! But isn't that just like the millennial leader? See an unchecked problem/issue, step in and make something shake! The millennial leader doesn’t always wait for someone else to notice and address something. The millennial leader takes action to make a way, so that at the very least someone who comes after us, who looks like us or may come from a similar familial or community background as us, has the opportunity we didn’t have (or has it a little easier). And how do we do this? We do this by gaining access to the decision making positions and roles—and then the real work begins.
When you hear the term ‘millennial leadership’ or ‘millennial leader’, what do you think? DO you consider yourself a millennial leader?
“I think about my generation. I enjoy the fact that I’m in the older generation of the millennials. And I think that with millennial leadership, we have the vision, the fortitude and the tenacity to keep things going. But we also still have some of those practical values of our parents, who are more than likely Baby Boomers—you know the [values] longevity to stick with a job or a career, to make a concerted effort to move a company and a business forward.”
Dr. Booker goes on to describe millennial leadership and the millennial leader as being technology focused, adaptive to one’s environment and creative when it comes to problem solving and improving the quality of life for themselves and others. She describes millennial leadership as one that bridges the gap among the generations within the workplace (i.e. Boomers, Gen X, Gen Z, Millennials); providing others with opportunities to develop skillsets and adapt to changes in the workplace. Technology was also something that Dr. Booker emphasized as being assistive in developing and leading a team of multi-generational thinkers and doers. Leading others who may be older, while still trying to help the younger generation grown and develop, while you yourself are still growing and developing is a concept with which many millennial leaders can identify.
We are juggling so many things! We are trying to be a real adult in our personal lives (I’m still not sure if I have filled out my tax forms correctly), fight for our seats at the table as it relates to opportunities and access to leadership roles and positions (sometimes building our own extensions to tables we were never invited to), taking care of family members such as children or aging parents—all while trying to maintain some sort of sanity, pay bills, buy and cook nutritious food and have time to vacation and live our best lives. WHEW! So when are we supposed to sleep?! I am personally not a fan of the ‘team no sleep’ movement, but I am a member of the millennial leadership movement and I will say that when I (we) are in the groove, doing something we love…we make a way. We make it work. In dating and in life in general, people make time for who and what they want to make time for…why not make time for the development and cultivation of one’s leadership acumen? We take classes, comb Pinterest boards, scour message boards, spend hours on YouTube, all in the name of knowledge. To get better, to be better and to do better. We have access to a wealth of knowledge in our pockets and purses at all times (smartphones). Lynda.com and Google have made ANYTHING learnable and accessible to our generation. Capitalize and strategize on how you will develop your leadership acumen, official title be damned.
What are some of the lessons you’ve learned that you’d like to share with other millennial leaders or aspiring millennial leaders?
“Live without fear…Give back.”
Dr. Booker describes fear as being a crippling disease that holds others back from stepping out to live their dreams (and in their truth…but that’s another post). She eloquently speaks to the spirit of Sankofa as it relates to the millennial generation being one of reaching back to help the other generations. She mentions reaching back, telling your story and utilize opportunities to inspire the next generation. While she acknowledges her achievements and professional and personal successes, she also notes that one cannot do it alone. She goes on to explain that, burnout is frequent visitor of the millennial leader—we try to do too much too fast and don’t take time to pause. She notes that aspiring millennial leaders should take time for that pause, enlist the help of mentors and other likeminded individuals around and among them, elicit professional assistance as it relates professional coaching, reflection and review of goals and attainment of those goals. Dr. Booker also spoke at length about doing something for her community. Providing a small scholarship for books or other small items that would have an impact on a student’s educational experience. Her community work and work within the realm of diversity, inclusion and equity all allow her to give back in more ways than one. She’s able to give back by working at the administrative level to make systemic changes within the educational system, which also impacts the programs, initiatives and targets of the organization in which she works. This give back not only impacts those who come from similar backgrounds, but also those who otherwise would not be afforded the opportunity to a quality (STEAM) education.
“Diversify your bag.”
Diversity in skill set was also a gem that Dr. Booker has for the aspiring millennial leader. Capitalizing, monetizing and marketing one’s abilities and skills to be something lucrative and revenue generating is key. One’s hobbies don’t have to stop at a hobby. Connecting with others with similar skills and/or abilities and packaging this into a business, has the ability to expand the personal and professional portfolio of the millennial leader. Let’s face it, we could all use a little more coin. Why not get paid to do something that you enjoy while hanging out with your friends?!
Hustling is the millennial way of life. How many of your millennial friends, colleagues, etc. have multiple streams of income? Maybe even you, yes you reading this, have thought about or have begun working towards diversifying your bag. Are you interested in selling a product or service? Have you researched your state’s requirements? Is a business license necessary? What are the stipulations on forming an LLC.? Most of the time, your state’s Secretary of State governmental website will have plenty of information to answer these questions and more. If you happen to be in North Carolina, check out our state’s website here. Our community college system also has a great FREE small business program where you can get information, tips and guidance on starting your own business today! See additional information here.