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Sierra Toney

Professor Adams

FRST 101

18 October 2017

Faculty Interview

For the faculty interview I chose my calculus instructor, Dr. Barbara Tankersley. She is

an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics here at North Carolina A&T State

University. I chose to interview Dr.Tankersley because I too am considering going into a field

where there are few women of color. This interview was encouraging because I noticed

similarities that mirrored my background.

Barbara Tankersley was born in Augusta, Georgia, raised by a single mother with two

older sisters and a younger brother. During the summers, she recalls playing school with her

sisters. Math was always her favorite subject, however she never thought she would end up

teaching it. After graduating high school, she attended Paine College. While at Paine, she met

her mentor, Ms.Naomi Mac, who also became one of her greatest supporters.

Dr.Tankersley went on to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State

University for graduate school. While attending, she was able to study mathematics with a team

of like minded students and teach as a graduate assistant for the first time. Networking at A &T

allowed her to develop connections to the PhD program at Howard University. After applying,

she was accepted and enrolled in Howard University for her PhD.

I was surprised to learn about the many obstacles that she overcame. During her first few

weeks as a graduate student at Howard University, her grandmother passed away. Before

completing the PhD program, her mother passed away. Her father passed away during the first
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week of classes in the fall of 2016. If anyone asks her how shes made it through all of her

obstacles, she would tell you it is the result of persistence, prayer, and hard work.

Dr.Tankersley is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics at North

Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She primarily teaches mathematics to

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) majors. Currently, she is working on

the SCALE-UP team in the mathematics department as she looks ahead to becoming a full

professor.

From this interview, I now know that I will be able to handle being a woman of color in a

field where it is not easy for women. Dr. Tankersley ended by providing me a piece of advice to

apply to my academic journey. This advice was to always keep in mind that I have what it takes

to be successful.