Hi, I'm Dr. Roxanne Donovan—Founder of WellAcademic
If you're ready to slow down while doing more of what matters, kick off your shoes, get comfy, and let's get to know each other FAQ style.
If you're ready to slow down while doing more of what matters,
kick off your shoes, get comfy, and let's get to know each other FAQ style.
What is WellAcademic? A spa for faculty?
Ummmm, no...not even close.
Maybe having "well" in the name confused you.
"Well" and "academic" don't usually go together.
But they should, especially if you're helping faculty achieve professional success.
Because you can't show up fully to your writing, teaching, and mentoring—or to yourself and loved ones—if you’re exhausted and stretched razor thin from laboring in a system that doesn’t always recognize your full humanity.
What is WellAcademic? A spa for faculty?
Ummmm, no...not even close.
Maybe having "well" in the name confused you.
"Well" and "academic" don't usually go together.
But they should, especially if you're helping faculty achieve professional success.
Because you can't show up fully to your writing, teaching, and mentoring—or to yourself and loved ones—if you’re exhausted and stretched razor thin from laboring in a system that doesn’t always recognize your full humanity.
Not a spa. Got it. But what's this place really?
This is the place for holistic faculty development. If you want to find sustainable ways to write more, work smarter, and be well in the academy, we're here with all the training and resources you need.
Not a spa. Got it. But what's this place really?
This is the place for holistic faculty development. If you want to find sustainable ways to write more, work smarter, and be well in the academy, we're here with all the training and resources you need.
Why did you start WellAcademic?
As a psychologist, professor, multiracial woman of color (Black, Asian, White), and mama to two kids I had pre-tenure, I'm all too familiar with THE GRIND.
That place where your days are spent sweaty-sprinting from one obligation to the next...where exhaustion is your norm...where you question if academia is worth the stress and sacrifice.
I don't want that for you. For me. For any of us.
That’s why I’ve spent two decades using psychological practices to create a healthier, more joyful faculty life—and why I share them through WellAcademic.
Do your programs work?
Absolutely! But don't take my word for it. Here's just a snippet of what faculty say about working with us.
[Roxanne's] insights and encouragement have made me a better scholar and helped me to get my priorities together.
WellAcademic gave me the sense of community I desperately needed and made me feel like I was not alone.
Who's on your team?
Allow me to introduce you to four of the most ah-mazing humans...
Tahirah Abdullah, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology
She/Her
S. Tiffany Donaldson, PhD
Professor of Psychology
She/Her
Nichole Guillory, PhD
Professor of Curriculum & Instruction
She/Her
Rina Williams, PhD
Professor of Political Science
She/Her
Is wellacademic a good fit for me?
Maybe. Our sweet spot is working with individuals and institutions committed to bringing greater wellness and equity to academia (and the world).
WITH US, YOU GET A FOCUS ON...
well-being
You can't do your best work (or be your best self) if you're wrung out.
BELONGING
care
We see you and the invisibilized barriers to your success.
action
Move toward what matters most with tools that work.
My Official Bio
(In third person even though y'all know I wrote every word)
Dr. Roxanne Donovan is a nationally recognized psychologist and award-winning professor at Kennesaw State University whose writing translates research into real talk about how to foster well-being in unjust environments.
She is the co-author of two books—Teaching Diversity Relationally: Engaging Emotions and Embracing Possibilities, and Unraveling Assumptions: A Primer for Understanding Oppression and Privilege—along with numerous academic articles and chapters on gendered racism, Black women's health, and faculty well-being.
She is currently co-writing her third book, Black Feminist Mothering Will Set Us Free: A Guide to Social Justice Parenting for Moms of Color, with fellow sister-scholar Dr. Nichole Guillory.
Her expertise has been featured in The Washington Post, Science News, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution; on Georgia Public Radio; and on top-ranked podcasts, including Teaching in Higher Ed, Your Words Unleashed, and Wise Effort.
Through WellAcademic, her faculty development organization, she has helped hundreds of women of color (and others) find greater achievement and joy in academia. Her free Wellness Wednesday newsletter offers writing and wellness strategies to more than 1,000 faculty subscribers.
Integrated with her professional identities are her rich and multilayered roles as mama, sister, auntie, and spouse.
Since you've read this far, let's end with some fun bits...
Official Bio
Dr. Roxanne Donovan is a former corporate negotiator turned psychologist, professor, and author.
She is a nationally recognized expert on topics of well-being and social justice whose work has been featured in media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Conversation, and Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Dr. Donovan brings an intersectional lens rooted in liberation to her scholarship, publishing and presenting extensively on the role of gendered racism in the mental health outcomes of Black women.
Her two coauthored books, Teaching Diversity Relationally and Unraveling Assumptions, apply psychological and social justice frameworks to the teaching and learning of diversity.
Through her popular Wellness Wednesday emails, she offers faculty psychological strategies for more focus, fulfillment, and free time in academia.
Integrated with her professional roles are her rich and multilayered identities as spouse, mama, sister, and auntie.
Is it true you fell out of a Porta Potty at a concert in NYC?
Who snitched? Okay, sadly, yes—to my great embarrassment and the rousing applause from the folks in line. I ❤️ NY.
Were you really a negotiator in a previous life?
Yep! For AT&T. Corporate life was like skinny jeans—I tried and tried to make it fit before realizing it just wasn't made for me.
What are three things people may not know about you?
I was born in Guyana and moved to NYC when I was 8. Both my parents are multiracial. I lose my phone about 10x a day.
MAKE FACULTY LIFE EASIER
With psychological strategies for more focus, fulfillment, and free time in academia—written by me and delivered twice monthly(ish) to your inbox.
Join the 1000+ community of diverse faculty who receive my Wellness Wednesday emails.
Will you join us?
As part of our FREE faculty community, you get:
- Wellness Wednesdays, a twice-monthly email on peaceful productivity, fulfillment, and creating spaciousness in a frenetic, overscheduled culture
- 3 powerful tools to supercharge your writing FAST—delivered right to your inbox
- Live semi-annual workshops where you're served scrumptious content with a side of laughs and connection
