Dr.Riva Brown
Associate Professor of Public Relations and Global Learning Specialist
Hometown: Born in New Orleans, but grew up in the Catahoula community in Hancock County, Mississippi.
Briefly describe your role(s):
Professor: Teach undergraduate courses in Multicultural Public Relations and Public Relations Techniques
Global Learning: Manage Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiative; serve as faculty liaison for the Global Learning Advisory Committee; plan and implement campus-wide global learning initiatives (example: leading UCA Syrian Emergency Task Force Committee)
Q: What is your favorite part of your position?
A: Professor: Working with students on service-learning and experiential learning projects. Seeing students excel as interns and entry-level PR professionals.
Global Learning: Collaborating with professors and students from different countries. Helping students get out of their comfort zones by interacting with peers from different cultures.
Q: What motivates you to achieve success in your career?
A: I don’t have anyone to compete with or impress other than myself. I have a note on my computer at work that says, “Make Yourself Proud.”
Q: Has there been a challenge in your career that you’ve had to overcome?
A: Yes. When I first started the Ph.D. program, I dropped out after a couple of months. I didn’t think I was smart enough or hard-working enough to succeed. I returned a year later and attended full-time, working full-time until I earned my degree.
Q: What led you to your career path?
A: After serving as a higher education reporter at a newspaper, I always knew I wanted to work for an institution of higher education.
Q: What has been a defining moment in your career?
A: Becoming UCA’s first Global Learning Specialist. I’m finally on the right track in my higher education career.
Q: What opportunities for growth do you think women have in your field?
A: If women choose the right mentors committed to their personal and professional growth and development, the sky is the limit.
Q: Have there been people who have influenced your professional career?
A: Dr. David R. Davies at the University of Southern Mississippi. As an undergrad, he encouraged me to apply to become executive editor of my school newspaper. He also encouraged me to return to school for a master’s degree. He even gave me teaching materials for my first job and continued to be present. I likely would not be Dr. Brown today without his guidance.
Q: What advice do you have for women in your field?
A: Seek great mentors. I would have saved myself a lot of heartache and pain, and I would have been further ahead in my career if I had more mentors to guide me.
