FIYou: Chaundra L. Whitehead MS ’10

Name: Chaundra L. Whitehead MS ’10. I’m currently pursuing a Ed.D. in adult education and human resource development.

Hometown: Tallahassee, Fla.

Job Title/Department: I’m the managing editor of New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, a quarterly publication produced by the Department of Leadership and Professional Studies in the College of Education.

Campus: Modesto A. Maidique Campus

In a nutshell: I am responsible for the workflow of incoming manuscripts, soliciting reviewers to peer review each submission, coordinating the publication of each issue, maintaining all related databases/files and working with the editors to ensure we maintain the quality of our scholarly journal.

Number of years at FIU: I’ve been a student here since 2008 and an employee since 2010.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The most enjoyable facet of my graduate assistantship is the opportunity to read and review articles from scholars and practitioner conducting cutting-edge research in my field.

What do you think faculty/staff and students should know about your department? What about FIU – how is the university “Worlds Ahead”?

The Department of Leadership and Professional Studies in the College of Education is creating the educators, practitioners and researchers who will be leaders in the field of educational strategies, innovations and improvements. More than half of the teachers in Miami-Dade County hold degrees from FIU. I think the university is Worlds Ahead in that it is ideally situated, physically and in its progression, to provide students with new opportunities that integrate a special cultural aspect, as well as the energy of a growing institution.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?

The Green Library. Just being surrounded with the knowledge is great, but the view from the sixth floor is wonderful as well.

Family snapshot:

I have an older brother and a younger sister. I am in the middle of a complicated web of people I call my family.

Word that best describes you: Driven.

First paying job: I was a summer camp assistant at the community center. I spent a couple months outside helping with the 5-6-year-old group. That is a part of what lead me into adult education.

Favorite TV show: I do not watch TV, but when I have a few minutes of downtime I watch my favorite online web series, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. It is a funny show.

What is playing on your iPod?

I do not own an iPod.

Read any good books lately?

I am a doctoral student! We are not allowed to read for fun!

Your proudest accomplishment:

Moving to Miami to pursue my graduate education is my proudest accomplishment thus far.

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?

I enjoy boot-camp-style fitness classes or just going to the gym. I am also an artist, so I appreciate the moments I have to work on creating abstract paintings as well.