Oct 2-4, 2020

Elohee Retreat Center | Sautee, GA

Unfortunately, COVID-19 requires us to cancel the 2020 Women of Color Faculty Retreat. As a science-based organization, we take seriously the advice and admonitions of the CDC, which recommend staff and attendees of planned events such as our retreat cancel for the foreseeable future. 

​We're saddened by the grief our WellAcademic community is experiencing as loved ones contract the virus and by the millions of people around the world whose lives have been tragically affected. We dare not add to this number, even as we deeply regret the obvious need to cancel for safety and sanity.

Your continued wellness and success remain our top priority. As such, we have developed virtual programs like ​Focus Fridays to help you achieve your goals even in these tumultuous times. If you're not a WellAcademic member, please join now to stay informed about these new offerings. 
 
Wishing you peace and health,
Roxanne 


Join other women of color faculty for a professional development weekend devoted to YOU
- your success, your wellness, your joy

You can expect to

​Explore healthy pathways to accomplishing your career goals

​Practice techniques that increase focus and reduce stress

​Replenish from systemic, institutional, and individual challenges faced daily

Share in authentic sisterhood where your whole self is recognized and welcomed

​Receive effective, affirming support based on your experiences as a woman of color in the academy

Exhale, unplug, and just be

What's Included

Two nights at the Elohee Retreat Center in the foothills of Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains​​

Mindfulness sessions focused on finding calm and clarity in stressful times​​

Firelight sister circles that invite connection with self, others, and the beautiful surroundings

Nourishing, delicious meals that are exclusively or mostly vegetarian​

"Breakthrough" workshops that teach proven  productivity and resiliency strategies

Gentle morning yoga and/or guided hike to restore body, mind, and spirit​​

Praise for Retreat

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I know first hand the various ways the academy can be a dangerous place for WOC. The retreat offered me a chance to be my authentic self and feel the love and support I've missed. Thank you!

Kimberly Nichele Brown, ​PhD, Associate Professor

Associate Professor
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Virginia Commonwealth University

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This was an amazing and life changing experience. This was the first retreat where I attended as a woman of color faculty member where it was about who I am and not what I do.

Danielle Dickens, PhD, Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor
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Spelman College

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The fellowship and compassion we were able to feel provided an abundant source of energy to recharge my career. Not short of amazing!

Flavia Bastos, PhD, Professor

Professor
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University of Cincinnati

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The Women of Color Faculty Retreat was a much needed respite. It was a safe space for forgiving, embracing, and loving thy self.

Evelyn M. Simien, PhD, Professor

Professor
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University of Connecticut, Storrs

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Coming to the retreat I learned how to gift myself peace through self-love, mindfulness, and forgiveness. It was a transformative process and I am thankful I attended.

Whitney Gaskins, PhD, Assistant Dean

Assistant Dean
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University of Cincinnati

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This was a life changing experience. There are not spaces or opportunity for WOC to pause, reflect, and reset. This retreat has allowed us that space. I recommend this experience [at] least once a year for women of color...

Littisha A. Bates, PhD, Associate Professor

Associate Professor
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University of Cincinnati

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Go. Whatever your doubts, go anyway. The sessions are worth it, and the trails and the land are magnificent.

Raquel Chiquillo, PhD, Associate Professor

Associate Professor
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University of Houston-Downtown

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This was a transformative event, and you cannot afford to miss out on this experience. You will never forget your time on the mountain!

Holly Y. McGee, PhD, Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor
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University of Cincinnati

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This was the most powerful, soul transforming experience I have ever been to. I am walking away from this with deeper clarity into self, my work, and my community.

Cassondra Jackson, PhD, Counselor

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This retreat provided me with a space for insight, empowerment, validation, nourishment, and self-care.

Meera Rastogi, ​PhD, Professor

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This is a transformational experience uniquely designed for women of color by women of color.

Crystal Guillory, MA, Assistant Dean

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I am excited to leave the retreat moving toward my ideal schedule in a tangible fashion...and I have a realistic goal to get more sleep with a plan and an accountability partner. I look forward to lifting the fog over my brain and the clarity of thought and direction to come!

Adriane Randolph, PhD, Associate Professor

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Past participants who report learning how to better: 

Manage high work demands
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100%

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​Cope with stress


100% 

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Accomplish goals
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100%

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Address imposter syndrome 

​94%

Reserve Your Spot

Funding the Retreat

Securing institutional funding for a women of color faculty retreat can be challenging. We get it. Several participants have been successful after an initial "no" using our retreat rationale document. It links the retreat's objectives to empirical evidence on the retention and progression of women of color faculty. Download and share with your decision makers or include parts in your request for support.

WellAcademic also offers a limited number of grants to offset the retreat cost for faculty paying out-of-pocket. More information is available on the FAQ: Cost and Options page.
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Questions?

See FAQ topics for answers

More Retreat Info

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Cost & ​​​Options

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Registration & Payment

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Cancellation & ​Refunds

LEAD FACILITATOR: Roxanne Donovan, PhD
I'm Co-Founder of WellAcademic, Professor of Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies at Kennesaw State University, and a licensed psychologist in Georgia. [I don't have a psychotherapy practice currently.] I've been teaching, researching, training, and practicing in the areas of health and wellness for over 20 years. I use methods of behavior change that empower clients to identify and achieve their goals in ways that align with their personal values. These methods are empirically supported, strengths-based, and culturally responsive.  

As a Black feminist (cis)woman of multiracial decent (Black/Asian/White), I'm committed to using my expertise to develop programs and scholarship that help women of color combat the systemic, interpersonal, and individual stressors that hurt health and impede growth. ​
"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare."​

~ Audre Lorde

Schedule a 15-min discovery call with Dr. Roxanne Donovan for more info about our services or complete our contact form to send us a question. We look forward to supporting you!