Education

Ph.D., Walden University
M.P.A., Atlanta University

B.S., Howard University
Management Development Levels 1-3, University of Georgia (Carl Vinson Institute of Government)

Biography

Dr. Francis is an instructor, trainer, facilitator, consultant, conflict mediator, motivational speaker and mentor. Prior to working at Spelman College, she worked in management for the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Education under the leadership of former and late Mayor Maynard Jackson. In August 1994, she joined the City of Decatur Police Department as its first civilian community relations specialist.

For 16 years, she managed a one-woman division and served as liaison for the police department and the Decatur community by conducting crime prevention and intervention training. As a conflict mediator, crime prevention and intervention trainer, Dr. Francis collaborated with the City of Decatur Court System, Decatur Housing Authority and the Decatur City School System.

Former Board Member: Overcoming Obstacles; The Atlanta Project; Communities That Care-Task Force to Reduce Underage Alcohol Consumption; Seniors & Law Enforcement Together (SALT); Christmas Decatur; Vulnerable Adults Living At-Risk Invisibly.

Memberships, Honors and Awards

• Post-Doctoral Faculty Mentor
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars
• Society for the Teaching of Psychology
• American Psychological Association
• Psychology National Honor Society (Psi Chi)
• Conflict Mediator
• Difficult Dialogues Facilitator
• Book Co-editor
• Co-facilitator of Elite 31, a nine-month mentoring program (college section) at Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral
• 1998 Leadership DeKalb graduate
• National Forum for Black Public Administrators Fellowship recipient
• Housing and Urban Development Fellowship recipient

Courses Taught

PSY 385 Industrial Organizational Psychology
PSY 450 Senior Seminar
PSY 200 General Psychology for Non-majors
FYE 102 First Year Experience

Dr. Francis has also taught Introduction to Psychological Sciences I,  Introduction to Psychological Sciences II, Community Psychology, and Supervised Fieldwork.

 

Research Interests

Areas of Interests: Positive Psychology; Employee Job Satisfaction; Conflict Mediation & Resolution in the Workplace; Employee & Organizational Benefits of Telecommuting; Workplace Stress; Employee Motivation; Employee Morale; and Organizational Culture

Areas of Expertise: Dr. Francis is an expert at facilitating positive transformation in individuals, small groups and organizations. She is most fulfilled when teaching and offering hope to people who believe they have no hope.