Hannaford

As a journalist I felt I could figure anything out.  As a professor I’ve had my ups and down but overall it has been a good experience.   Yet teaching with PowerPoint presentations is proving to be a great challenge.   I am learning to create PowerPoint presentations now since there were no lessons on it at Hampton, American or the news network.   The publishers of the Intro to Public Relations textbook provide a PowerPoint for each chapter.  Last year I did not use them.  I decided to incorporate my lecture notes, videos and pictures into the presentations as a way to change the class from the previous school year.   Nice idea but harder to execute than I thought.   I took a screen shot of the Old Spice Guy and inserted it on top of a slide with text, oops.    Then I embedded the commercial and a clip of BP CEO Tony Hayward’s famous “I want my life back” declaration. 

 Everything looks good, so I pick up the “smart cart” from the department office.   My classroom is a computer lab but not equipped (side eye.)   I plug everything in, nothing happens and I look stricken. The only grad student in the class says “the projector is warming up.”  The laptop was warming up too. Finally all my equipment is warm, but now I cannot find the presentation on my flash drive!   Found it!  But how do I get this to appear full screen?  I clicked on something and it disappears.   When I began getting everything together I was also making announcements.  Soon I had nothing else to say as I continue fumbling.  The grad student leans over again and says “hit F5” in a soothing voice. I’m starting to feel really dumb as the class quietly stares.   Now it’s on screen. I see the heading, but where is the rest of it? Grad student says “keep pushing the arrow key.”  Another student says, “Sit down you’re blocking the slides.”   No problem I have a remote….but the batteries are dead.    I wedged the cart into an awkward position that created a fire hazard trapping all the students on one a side of the lab and blocking the exit.   Twenty minutes into class and I finally begin the lesson.  

Things were going along smoothly until I reached the slide with a black box on the screen. I’d forgotten about the video clips and didn’t sign onto the campus wireless network.  Since it was so late I didn’t stop the lesson to login.  Campus wireless is extremely slow and I’d had enough embarrassing moments for one class. 

Finally class time was up and I dislodged the cart and the students were free to roam!   But I did not turn the projector off first and blinded a student in the first row.    Before the grad student left I asked her for a tutorial.  I was relieved that she was not condescending and was very helpful.    

Next time I will warm up all the equipment before class starts in my office and do a practice run.  I will also figure out which of my dresses looks best with a dunce cap.     

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

veezzle.com

Yes, yes, yes . . . today is Professor Diva Mac’s birthday so I decided to recognize her beauty, knowledge, and pure diva-ness. She is truly a gem and we all have love for her.

Let’s start off with the basics. She’s obviously a Virgo, born and raised in beautiful South Carolina, is a true metropolitan, loves to shop and read,  travels all over the world, and still has time to drop knowledge on her students.  She is a daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and friend to say the least. The first time I met Professor Diva Mac—hmm? I really can’t recall because we have been friends for that long. I do know that a mutual friend–actually one of my BFFs–the lovely LA Beauty–introduced us. The interesting thing is that she and my husband attended the same college so I guess our paths were bound to cross eventually.

When I first heard that she was going into the world of academia, my first thought was “WOW!” She has an invaluable amount of knowledge from her days as a producer at NBC plus not to mention she is just plain smart. She undeniably is an asset to the college where she teaches and I imagine her peers and students look to her for sound advice. The fact that she recently proposed and will moderate a media panel this October at South Carolina State says enough.

So I lift my wine class and virtually toast her birthday. Professor Diva Mac you are a true friend, I luv ya like cooked food, and wish you many more birthday blessings!

Smooches,

Professor Diva Cali

Registration is still ongoing, therefore students are adding and dropping classes.  Professors at my university also serve as academic advisors. Most of my advisees are seniors.  All of them are in a panic trying to ensure that they have registered for all classes needed to graduate.  The onslaught and transcript reviews have consumed much of my class preparation time.  Popular culture and lecture notes from last semester are providing me with great classroom material.    Last year preparing lectures was one of my most challenging tasks. 

The first meeting of each class was mostly course reviews and introductions.  In one of my PR classes each student

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

Will Hart

Summer break officially ended as I headed back to campus this week.   My intent was to begin the school year completely organized.  However, I am attempting to read textbooks, write syllabi, attend meetings and unpack all in a week before classes’ starts.  I readily admit that I procrastinated before returning to campus.   

Part of my readjustment problem is that during the summer I worked as a consultant from home. I set my own hours, cooked lunch at home, took breaks to go the gym and wore lounge wear except when I had to attend meetings or was hitting the town.   Now I am back in the office behind a desk and following an imposed schedule.   At some points this week I have felt like a defiant child on the first day of school kicking and screaming not to go. Meetings in academia are very long and formal.  This week I attended five meetings and fled before the sixth happened.  

The best part about the week has been seeing my former students.  Some of them are on campus working as freshman orientation leaders. Many of my pupils came by office to say welcome back.  As much as I loathe academic advising it has been good to chat with the students that need help with their schedules.  All of the hugs and hearing about their summers has been great.  One of my students even wrote a book during the break.  Another student that dropped out after the fall semester due some very tough personal issues is back in school.  Seeing him nearly brought me to tears.   One student told me that she is sad she has taken all the classes that I teach.   While another elected to enroll in one my classes because he enjoyed being taught by me last year.   The students are truly my motivation.    Now I am excited to welcome back the others and meet the freshman

I’m ready for class on Monday!  I really will be.   

 Air Kisses,

 Professor Diva Mac

Sylvia Webb, founder and president of 40 Girls and Some Shoes, has organized shoe drives and fundraisers for the past three years to simply help those who need take the first step. And this step is out of homelessness and into transition with a pair of new or gently worn shoes. This non-profit’s basic principle: to be an agent for transformative change in the lives of those who are experiencing homelessness. Each year 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness and 23% of these individuals are children (source: National Coalition for the Homeless). Sylvia and this wonderful non-profit have managed through a vast network of partnerships and associations to provide 4,000 pairs of free shoes to these underserved groups since its inception.

Professor Diva Diaries had the opportunity to catch up with Sylvia as she was in full throttle of planning her next shoe fundraiser.  As she prepares for this event taking place this weekend in Atlanta, we wanted to capture her as the diva that she is–giving back to her community, realizing the importance of this, and just doing good and looking good too. 

What is your definition of a diva?
A woman who isn’t afraid to be herself; she is confident and understands her purpose and her gifts. A woman who doesn’t need stilettos to stand tall; she stands tall in all the SHOES she wears.

Name a diva that you identify with.
All women and women who stood up for women’s rights; the right to be free, the right to choose what happens to their bodies, the right for equal work and equal pay, and the right to choose who they love (Black, white, brown or other).

What is your latest diva purchase?

A black Tadashi Shoji dress and a great pair of shoes from Italy

What is the diva item you can’t live without?
My Mac Currant Lip Liner and Mac gives back you know?

As Sylvia stated, “shoes do not educate, nor do they guarantee a home or employment, but they can provide an increase in esteem and protect the “soles” of those looking to take what may be that first all important step in getting to the other side of their lives.”

So if you can donate divas, please do. Besides, donating a pair of shoes means room for more shoes in your closet!

Smooches,

Professor Diva Cali

The interesting thing is that we often mistake what our purpose is because we are not open to change in the landscape. Because change causes people to get uptight at times, we tend to stick to what we know. But purpose is often found in the unkown–and may mean relocating and reinventing. In any event, maybe an individual’s purpose is not the end result but a new beginning.

 A diva who is near-and-dear to my heart is on her diva-escape and will embark upon a new beginning. She has taken a leap of faith and will do her “thang.” I imagine she will reinvent, rejuvinate, rectify, and rejoice in her “brandnewness.” She is chartering into unknown territory and I applaud her for it. She will make new friends, check out the latest and greatest in her new city (of course I’ll come visit then!), and just get lost to really find herself. She mentioned that I was the one who was “pushing her to leave,” but deep down I am going to miss her and will show much love on her returning visits.  I also know that this move is going to make her shine like the diamonds we divas love.

So I end by saying, if it’s not working here (insert your current city) try it over there (insert your  new proposed city). I have done it at least two times (college and post marriage) and are looking forward to the next. 

Go and grow and perhaps find your purpose in a new beginning/city.

Smooches,

Professor Diva Cali

P.S. If you have moved to a new city and truly love what you have become, leave a comment!

Professors Mitchell, Douglas and Coleman

Last week I was in San Diego for the National Association of Black Journalists 35^th Convention. Before I became a professor last fall, I was a news producer.  I’ve been a member of NABJ since my student days at Hampton University and have attended several conventions over the years.   This year I was very excited to attend because I missed last year’s meeting in Tampa and this was also my first trip to California! How did I make it to Cape Town before visiting Cali?     

Attending the convention is like going to a family reunion or college homecoming.  I reconnected with friends; saw former colleagues, people I interned with and now people that have interned for me.  The convention is always a great opportunity for networking and learning.  This year the panels were stellar.   There were multiple panels that I wanted to attend that took place simultaneously. Since I have not perfected cloning myself yet, I couldn’t go to all of them.  But that’s why it’s good to attend with friends.  We separated and attended different panels and shared notes with each other.

 There was one panel I had to attend in its entirety for myself “Take Your Experience to the Classroom.”   It was a panel discussion that featured former print and broadcast journalists that are now academics. The professors on the panel came from large and small universities; as well as HBCUs and brought a range of perspectives and number of years of teaching experience.  There were other panels where I met NABJ members that are now professors.  However, this panel gathered us all in one place and allowed us to delve into the issues and joys we encounter on campus.   It was also a great opportunity to share insight with journalists that are considering making the switch to academia.  

Professor Greenwell via Skype from Medill

 The following are some of my favorite words of wisdom from the panelists:

Keonte Coleman, Assistant Professor, Bennett College for Women

• “I was the producer that helped the interns. Most of them became producers. I realized I was teaching them.” 
• “Being a producer helped prepare me to resolve conflicts in the classroom.”  

Michael Douglas, Professor, Florida Memorial University

•  “Make time for yourself, higher education can be exhausting.”
• “What keeps me encouraged is when they get it!”

Ava Thompson Greenwell, Associate Professor, Medill at Northwestern University

• “Keep in mind writing is an emotional task, be mindful when you are critiquing students.”
• “Most people take a pay cut coming from industry to the academy. Keep in mind the flexibility in schedule may be worth the cut in pay.”

Karen Mitchell, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri

• “I work harder now than I ever did in daily journalism but it’s so rewarding.”
• “I never thought I would be as happy as I am in academia.”

I’ve mentioned on our Facebook page that I have been having a hard time getting my head back on the books.  But this panel provided me with my back to school toolkit through encouragement, insight and camaraderie.   

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

sans extenstions

This summer I had my hair extensions (weave!) removed after wearing them almost full-time for several years. Summer is probably not the ideal time for a hair re-acclamation. The heat, humidity and frequent afternoon rain storms makes managing ones hair very challenging be it real or really from India.  I’ve also been going to the gym several days a week.  Once you add sweat to the list of hair factors, it’s no surprise my hair has been in a ponytail a lot this summer.  

Shortly after I arrived in DC for the summer I sought out my friend, perennial “Essence” magazine contributor and senior stylist at The Ted Gibson Salon  Adrin ‘Seven’ Washington to release my tresses. Well he did, and I was greeted by hair I had not seen in four months. It was healthy and full of body. However, after a few days of DC’s infamous humidity, I wanted my extensions back.   My hair was frizzy and the bounce was gone.   In my frustration, I opened a sample of PhytoSpecific Moisturizing Styling Balm that Adrin had given to me; at this point I would have tried anything. I discovered that it’s perfect for taming fly aways, because humidity + hair = frizz. My hair is also very dry and Phyto moisturizes it without being greasy or weighing my hair down.  

Summer '09 with extensions

So far I’ve found no product that can make curls conquer humidity. However, PhytoSpecific Moisturizing Styling Balm caused me not to give up on my hair.    When I am defeated by the curlers and rollers I can always go back to my ponytail. The styling balm smoothes my hair out evenly without the flakiness or stiffness of gel.   Before I head south for the fall semester, I will be stocking up on PhytoSpecific Moisturizing Styling Balm because it is not available in my college town.

Air kisses,

Professor Diva Mac
P.S. How  are you keeping keep your hair coiffed this summer ? 

For hair tips from Adrin check out his posts on LA Beauty Beat.

veezle.com

At first thought, diva’s usually hire someone to do the handywork around the house–but not so much yesterday. We have been in our home for about four years and after living the “oh so urban aparment life”, where management fixes everything, DIY (do-it yourself) has become the new  name of the game.

After being annoyed with the restroom in our office, I jumped up and had an ephiphany (he, he): I’m a diva and screw hiring someone to fix the leaking toilet or waiting for the husband to get around to it (and I do love my husband dearly). I can do this myself and learn something, thus the post in School Dayz.  I did a little research online and came across a website called Wiki How (some of you are probably familiar with it). It provided detailed directions and a video on how to detect where the leak was coming from and resolutions. So I started on my mission and got the tools out:

1. Gloves (I don’t do toilet water to well)

2. Food coloring (Can you belive it? Something right in the kitchen!)

3. A new toilet flapper (We had one of these in the house from when I fixed two other toilets; hey I forgot about that)

4. 409 Cleansing Spray (Sanitizing is ALWAYS important  when working with a toilet).

Basically, I put my gloves on and dropped two squirts of blue food coloring down in the tank to see if there was a slow water leak. Indeed there was as a sea of blue engulfed the bowl. So I applied the new flapper.  Reviewing these steps beforehand was a huge help, however there are no plans to open up my own Ace Hardware.  The good thing is that I can now add semi-handywoman under my tool belt.

Of course with any hard work, comes play. I broke a nail in the process so after “handywoman day,” next up: “beauty day;” that’s a mani, pedi, eyebrows, and visit to the hair salon. I think I deserve it ).

Smooches,

Professor Diva Cali

P.S. I’d be interested in knowing how many other divas have skills. Leave a comment about when you fixed something around the house and how you did it.

Amanda Miller Littlejohn, Mopwater PR

Although I am a professor, I’m always trying to learn new things.  Although I am a blogger there’s still so much I still need to learn about the process.  For these reasons, instead of my customary sleep until noon Saturday, I attended the workshop “Basic SEO for Blogs.”   The event was sponsored by DC PR and social media maven Amanda Miller Littlejohn of Mopwater PR.   When I received the email announcing the event I didn’t even know what SEO meant! By the way the letters stand  for Search Engine Optimization.   Basically SEO is the practice of strategizing the content of your blog posts by using key words  to bring more traffic to your site.  

Nakeva Corothers, Nightlife PR

The workshop was facilitated by Nakeva Corothers founder of the blog Nightlife PR which focuses on DC nightlife.  Nightlife PR has become the go to site for entertainment information in the city where she covers events and markets the top club promoters.  Nakeva said that Nightlife PR was born out of her desire to find events for the 30 and over crowd that has outgrown the college scene where “you drink until your panties fall off.” 

Bloggers @ the Basic SEO Workshop

Nakeva’s presentation focused on the importance of choosing keywords so that Internet users can find your blog through search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo.  She provided many more valuable tips including studying the competition and supplied the names of free and low cost online resources.   

Amanda Miller Littlejohn, Mopwater PR

Networking with fellow bloggers and the ideas and insights I came away with, made venturing out on a rainy Saturday morning well worth it.   Plus Amanda, who is also a coffee connoisseur  provided us with an excellent brew from El Salvador via  Chinatown Coffee Co.      However, the level of information was the true buzz.

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac