Alumni Newsletter: Rosa Deal School of Arts

From the Dean

As this is our first in this newsletter series, I thought it appropriate to introduce myself a bit. I began my career at CBU in August of 2017. I was hired to teach primarily in our English for Corporate Communications program. I’ve since served as our Writing Program Administrator, as Vice President for the Faculty Assembly, and as the Chairperson of the President’s Commission for Social Justice, among many other roles. 

My professional journey to serving as the Dean of the Rosa Deal School of Arts tends to be a bit unorthodox for an academic. I developed a successful career before I returned to academics, ultimately earning my doctorate. I worked in regional leadership and trainer roles for Learning Care Group, a provider of early childhood education. There I worked with accreditation processes, trained teachers and managers, and organized people around common goals and work. In year twelve of that career, I decided to begin a graduate program, initially in evening courses. During my graduate school years, I worked for and with various administrators at the Chair, Dean, and Chancellor level. I served on high level committees and administrative searches. Each of those mentors continue to serve as my mentors today. 

As the Dean in the Rosa Deal School of Arts, I am passionate about the people I serve – our students, faculty, staff, and our alumni. Stepping up to lead people also means stepping up to learn how to be a reflective and developing leader. I strive to do that in each day. 

You’ve read updates on the process surrounding financial exigency from President Archer. As the Dean in the Arts, I would be remiss to not address the transition of the programs and faculty in our School in this letter. We are working hard to come to know how we can transition and position ourselves better to serve our CBU students and the city of Memphis. In the coming letters, I will tell you more about how we are focusing our resources in and around our programs.

Dr. Tawny LeBouef Tullia (she/hers) | Dean, Rosa Deal School of Arts

Alumni Spotlight

Jasmyn Wright (MEd ’12) is a globally recognized educator, author, advocate, and speaker. Jasmyn received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College and her Master of Education from Christian Brothers University. An alumna of Teach for America and Fulbright Teachers, she is the founding CEO of the Push Through Corporation, a nonprofit that uses innovative practices to equip, inspire, educate, and empower individuals to overcome adversity and become change agents. 

As an elementary educator for 14 years, Jasmyn’s empowering and innovative teaching philosophies have been featured in a global GAP Kids back-to-school campaign and various national and international media outlets. Her viral “push through” mantra has been implemented into adult and K-12 classroom settings across 21 U.S. states and 35 countries. On February 16 this year, Jasmyn offered the closing keynote speech for the Northwest Council for Computer Education Conference.  

Published by Simon & Schuster, Jasmyn’s affirmational and empowering children’s book, I’m Gonna Push Through!, encourages children to access their power within and use it to overcome challenges. Jasmyn has had the opportunity to deliver two TEDx talks and travel the world, leading keynotes and serving as a consultant to various educational organizations. To learn more about Jasmyn and her work, please visit her non-profit website at pushthroughcorporation.org. 

Student Spotlight

Karla Mendoza (Psychology ’25) is a DREAMer who arrived at CBU from Kansas City, MO via an Opportunity Scholarship from TheDream.US. Although she’s a long way from home and her family, she has no regrets about relocating to Memphis. “I have collected so many unforgettable faculty, friends, and memories that I am thankful for the opportunity,” she says.

As a junior Psychology major, Karla is also pursuing a double minor in Spanish and Cognitive Neuroscience. During this Spring Semester, she has been an intern in the Behavioral Sciences Lab under Dr. Jeff Sable and has conducted research with Dr. Maureen O’Brien for her practicum. “It’s a lot of exciting stuff, and I have big plans,” she says. “Maybe a little too ambitious, but I am genuinely enjoying what I am doing, and I am just glad for the experiences. I am also enjoying ‘the now.’ What I mean by that is that I try not to overthink about the future. It makes me anxious and often makes me overlook what’s going on in my life in ‘the now.’ For example, I am currently involved with multiple organizations on campus that I will have to step down from in the next year. I will be too engrossed in applying for graduate schools, and that will require a lot of my attention. So, instead of focusing on what I’ll have to do next year, I’m just trying to enjoy my ‘now’ time.”

Karla plans to attend graduate school immediately after earning her bachelor’s degree at CBU, and to eventually pursue a PhD in either Clinical or Social Psychology. “I have only recently started considering Social Psychology,” she explains. “So, I am hoping to have a more concrete idea by the fall, which is when I plan to apply to graduate programs.” Her current plan is to become a licensed clinical psychologist after graduate school and to work with minority groups to destigmatize mental health and to serve as a bridge to these communities by offering multilingual services. “Minority populations often still experience stigma around mental health issues, and many can’t find adequate services due to language barriers. I hope to be of help in this.”