Davida Curtis

DAVIDA J. CURTIS, PH.D.

Director of the TRIO Student Support Services Program
Center for Retention Services
Division of Academic Affairs
Instructor, Department of Math and Computer Science
Phone: (478) 822-7195
Email: curtisd@fvsu.edu

QUALIFICATIONS

• College Level and K-12 Instruction


• Grant Administration


• Student Advising and Counseling


• Program recruitment and retention


• Training and Development


• Budgeting and Fiscal Management


• Quality Control


• Program Development & Management


• Data-Driven and Research Analysis

EDUCATION

Capella University, Minneapolis, MN
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration, 2009
Dissertation Title: “Striking a Balance in Rural Georgia: A Case Study of the Impact of Career Technology Course Participation and Diploma Type on Academic Achievement and High School Dropout Rates”
North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
M.I.S. in Information Sciences, 2002
Thesis: Project-Based Tenure Tracking Solution for University Office of the Provost
Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC
B.S.B.A. in Business Computer Information Systems, 2000

TEACHING CERTIFICATIONS; ISSUED BY THE GEORGIA PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMISSION

• Educational Leadership (K-12)


• Business Education (6-12)


• Early Childhood Education (K-5)

HIGHER EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

TEACHING
Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA (Present)
Department of Math and Computer Science

• CSCI 1153 Introduction to Computers


• CSCI 4109 Internship for Computer Science & Computer Information Systems

DeVry University Online, Naperville, IL 2006- 2012
School of Business

• Business Information Systems (BIS) 150; Advanced PC Applications w/Lab


• Business Information Systems (BIS) 155; Data Analysis with Spreadsheets w/Lab

ADMINISTRATION
Director, TRIO Student Support Services

• Facilitates, develops, and implements ongoing continuance of the TRIO SSS program.


• Provides administrative and counseling services in order to meet the retention and graduation objectives of the University.


• Develops activities and programming to enhance student awareness and success.


• Manages program operations and budget according to University policies.


• Serves as academic adviser/counselor for program participants.


• Implements Peer Mentoring programming in support of first-generation students.


• Conduct academic and faculty workshops and presentations on student success and retention.


• Implements programming to increase student preparedness and entrance into graduate school.


• Adheres to federal regulations/standards on program operation.


• Tracks, monitors, and provides progress reporting on program effectiveness.


• Performs additional duties relative to the mission of Fort Valley State University.

K-12 EXPERIENCE
Hunt Elementary School
Peach County Board of Education, Fort Valley, GA (2012 – 2013)
Teacher – Early Childhood Education
5th Grade English and Language Arts
5th Grade Social Studies

• Developed Common Core Unit lesson plans for academic school year


• Implemented academic and behavioral interventions


• Prepared classroom for learning activities


• Provided appropriate and timely feedback on student performance and progress


• Identified appropriate methods and instructional strategies based on student needs


• Communicated regularly with parents on student progress


• Collaborated with colleagues and administrators on teaching and learning


• Participated in ongoing professional development initiatives


• Analyzed student data to guide classroom instruction

Fort Valley Middle School
Peach County Board of Education, Fort Valley, GA (2005 - 2012)
Teacher – Business Education
Middle School Business and Computer Science

• Provided stimulating learning environment at the middle school level


• Taught keyboarding, typing, and computer applications


• Utilized computer resources to include educational software, and the Internet in order to promote interactive learning.


• Introduced technology, promoting collaborative learning and providing career exploration opportunities to prepare students for the work force.


• Evaluated and communicates student progress to school administration and parents.


• Maintained professionalism and practices professional growth and development.

Towers High School
DeKalb County Board of Education, Decatur, GA (2004-2005)
Teacher – Business Education
Accounting
Computer Applications

• Provided clear and focused instruction for all students.


• Assured successful learning by using a variety of teaching strategies to meet the needs of all students.


• Closely monitored student progress by using quality classroom-based assessments.


• Utilized district curriculum to guide instruction.


• Communicated enthusiasm for learning.


• Communicated regularly and positively with parents.


• Related to all students and staff in a positive manner.


• Maintained professional standards in confidentiality and use of student information.


• Proactively acted as a team member.


• Promoted and practiced professional growth and development.

LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

• Institutional Representative – The Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education (GAWHE)


• Reviewer – International Education Studies (IES)


• Editorial Board Member - Fort Valley State University Journal of Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship


• Coordinator – The University of Georgia/Fort Valley State University Feeder Agreement Program


• Member-At-Large - The Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel (GASPP/Georgia TRIO)


• Scholarship Committee Chair - The Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel (GASPP/Georgia TRIO)


• Building Leader - Served as building leader and assumes administrative duties in the absence of school Principal/Assistant Principal.


• Department Chairperson - Facilitated middle school connections department with a primary focus on supporting the overall academic goals of the school. Responsible for class scheduling and distribution of pertinent information to faculty members.


• Middle School Connections Course Scheduling - Compiled and provides yearly connections schedules and updates all student connections and extracurricular courses.


• School Data Team - Collected, compiled, collaborated and produced reports on student standardized test and sub-group data.


• School OAS Coordinator - Managed teacher/student access to Georgia Online Assessment System at school level. Coordinated teacher and student training on use of Online Assessment System.


• School Discipline Committee - Presented and devised strategies to promote a highly effective and safe learning middle school environment.


• Cheerleading Coach - Provided leadership and support to athletics department, overseeing the safety sportsmanship of the middle school cheerleading squad.


• Technology Committee - Provided input on school technology needs at the school level.


• Teacher Student Advisor - Mentored and supported students academically and socially throughout school year.


• Public Relations Committee - Collaborated on publicizing all noteworthy information regarding school in community publications.


•  English/ Language Arts Cadre - Collaborated with teachers to improve school wide reading skills.


• Peach County Technology Advisory Committee - Collaborated on system wide level with other Career Technology and Agricultural Teachers and administrators on improving high school graduation, career awareness, and career related programming.


• Middle School News Broadcasting Team Advisor - Provided student support and guidance for daily live school wide news broadcasts that consist of school morning routines, student news and announcements, special presentations, and interviews. Support and monitor sound and production of news broadcasts.


• School Webmaster - Gathered, formatted, and posted current school events and information on school website.


• President; Future Business Leaders of America - Presided over meetings, organize and plan yearly activities, represent school chapter at events within community, and serve on various chapter and regional committees.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

• Applications: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Front Page, Project, Outlook, Publisher), Blackboard


• Databases: Microsoft Access


• Other Areas: Project Management, Analysis & Design

RELATED EXPERIENCE

North Carolina Central University, Durham, N.C.
Research Analyst/Graduate Student (2001 – 2002)

• Researched advanced database systems.


• Evaluated best practices for record storage and primary file organization, query processing and optimization, transaction processing, concurrency control techniques, recovery techniques, database security and authorization, advanced data modeling concepts, object-oriented databases, distributed databases and client-server architectures, deductive databases, and emerging database technologies and applications.


• Implemented a database-driven and dynamic website using PHP and MySQL technologies.

Nortel Networks, Research Triangle Park, N.C.
Network Technician (2000 – 2001)

• Organized projects into manageable phases to construct the essential steps and to define the activities required for completing tasks in minimal time.


• Read and interpreted installation documentation, engineering specs, and blue prints while installing and maintaining switches at customer business sites.


• Supervised teams and assigned tasks in order to complete project deadlines.


• Configured, tested, and troubleshoot hardware and system software.


• Researched reference materials and product information for optimal configurations.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Grantsmanship:
Newcomer of the Year 2015 - Project Director; Office of Sponsored Programs – Fort Valley State University

STUDENT RESEARCH MENTORSHIP

• 2014: Jeremy Wimes (B.S. Plant Science) Volatiles: Secret Ingredients of Taste, Research presented at the 20th Annual McNair/SSS Scholars Research Conference, Atlanta, GA & the Council for Opportunity in Education 33rd Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. (with Dr. Sarwan Dhir)


• 2014: Walter Johnson (B.S. Physical Education) The Importance of Physical Education, Research presented at the 20th Annual McNair/SSS Scholars Research Conference, Atlanta, GA


• 2016: David Martin (B.S. Psychology) & Jansen Felton (B.S. English) Colorism, Reflections from W.E.B. Dubois in the 21st Century, Research presented at the 22nd Annual McNair/SSS Scholars Research Conference, Atlanta, GA (with Dr. Diane Byrd)


• 2016: Ashley Childs (B.S. Biology) Computational Study of the Ester Modified Derivatives of Methylphenidate, Research presented at the 22nd Annual McNair/SSS Scholars Research Conference, Atlanta, GA (with Dr. Tiffani Holmes)


• 2016: Latoya Marshall (M.S. Higher Education Administration), Higher Education Administration Practicum Course, Mentorship/Assignment provided to student for partial fulfillment of the Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, Georgia Southern University

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• The Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education (GAWHE)


• Council for Opportunity in Education


• Southern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP)


• Georgia TRIO Association


• Georgia Association of Educators


• Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Methods in Differentiating Instruction


• Effective Methods and Resources for Securing Grants and Funding in Higher Education


• Characteristics of First-Generation, Low-Income College Students


• Bridging the Gap between K-12 and Higher Education


• Improvements in Teaching and Learning in Rural Settings


• Trends in Career and Technology Education


• Trends in Distance Education


• Trends in Instructional Technology

Dr. Davida J. Curtis is the director of the TRIO Student Support Services Program at Fort Valley State University, a federal outreach and student services program designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.  As director of the TRIO program, she oversees development of programming and activities to enhance student success, retention, and graduation, including administrative and counseling services. She also serves as an academic adviser, implements programming to increase student preparedness and entrance into graduate school, and manages a peer mentoring program in support of first generation students.
Curtis is also an instructor in the Department of Math and Computer Science. She has also taught online courses in business information systems for DeVry University. She has also taught K-12 courses in English and Language Arts, Social Studies, middle school business and computer science, accounting, and computer applications for Hunt Elementary School and Fort Valley Middle School, both in Fort Valley, GA, and Towers High School in Decatur, GA. She also served as a network technician for Nortel Networks and a research analyst at North Carolina Central University.
Dr. Curtis earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and administration from Capella University, a Master of Information Sciences degree from North Carolina Central University, and a B.S.B.A in business computer information systems from Western Carolina University.  She has teaching certifications issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in educational leadership, business education, and early childhood education.
 

PUBLICATIONS AND PAPERS

• Curtis D. (2009) Dissertation Title: “Striking a Balance in Rural Georgia: A Case Study of the Impact of Career Technology Course Participation and Diploma Type on Academic Achievement and High School Dropout Rates”


• Torrance C., Curtis D. (2015) The Moderating Effects of Self-Efficacy and Demographic Factors on Students’ Choice of Business Major, 2015. Journal of Strategic and International Studies 6, 12-17.


• Curtis D. (2016) The TRiO Affect at Fort Valley State University, 2016. The 12 Annual National Symposium on Student Retention, 2016.

BOOKS

Career Tech Courses vs. Core Academic Courses: An Assessment for High School Completion. Bloomington, IN: Green Legacy Publishing Inc., 2017 (with Komanduri S. Murty).

ARTICLE REVIEWS

• Reviewed article manuscript entitled Academically Gifted Undergraduate Students: Their Preferred Teaching Strategies Submitted to International Education Studies (IES), January 2017.


• Reviewed article manuscript entitled The Effectiveness of Peer Review and Preparation of Teacher Candidates for the edTPA submitted to the Fort Valley State University Journal of Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship, May 2016.


• Reviewed article manuscript entitled After-School Tutoring Increases Academic Performance submitted to the Fort Valley State University Journal of Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship, September 2015.


• Reviewed article manuscript entitled A Comparison of Program Methods to Increase Elementary Teachers’ Wellness Knowledge; Web Based and Face-to-Face submitted to the Fort Valley State University Journal of Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship, April 2015.


• Reviewed article manuscript entitled An Interactive Business Game: Business Connection submitted to the Fort Valley State University Journal of Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship, January 2015.

PRESENTATIONS

• Curtis, D. (2011, July). Career Technical and Agricultural Education; A Plan for Work-Based Learning, Presentation at the Clayton County Board of Education, Jonesboro, GA


• Curtis, D. (2014, March). How to Prepare for Graduate School, Academic Workshop Series, TRIO Student Support Services, Fort Valley, GA.


• Curtis, D. (2014, September). The Impact of a TRIO Student Support Services Program at Fort Valley State University During its First Five Year Cycle, Presentation at the Council For Opportunity in Education (COE) 33rd Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.


• Curtis, D. (2015, February). How to Survive Your First Year as a TRIO Director By: A First Year TRIO Director, Presentation at the Southern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOP) 43rd Annual Conference, Biloxi, MS


• Curtis, D. (2016, February). Strategies for Engaging First Generation College Students, Presentation at the Center for Teaching and Learning, Faculty Development, Fort Valley, GA.


• Curtis D. (2016, October) The TRiO Affect: How Student Services Shape Reasoned Action, Presentation for The 12th Annual National Symposium on Student Retention, Norfolk, VA