Q&A: Lisa Jones
Lisa Jones serves as the department chair for counseling, special education & diversity and a professor of multicultural education. Jones is one of the women featured as part of The Signal’s #HawkHerStory coverage, celebrating Women’s History Month. This special coverage focuses on the stories and perspectives of the various women within the UHCL community.
Read The Signal’s Q&A with Jones below and see the other Q&As conducted with students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni here.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, on both a personal and professional/educational level?
A: I was born in Berlin, Germany as my father served in the US Army for thirty years. I come from a line of “first” in my family. My maternal grandfather was the first African American Officer on the Bryan, Texas Police Department in the 1950s. My mother was the first African American female barber on a military base in the early 1970s, and the first African American female to serve on the Bryan City Council and as mayor pro tem.
As for me, I am the first person on both sides of my family to earn a doctoral degree. I also come from a line of public school educators; and I am no different. Before earning my doctorate and before children, I was a high school chemistry, biology, and physical science teacher for six years. I have a B.S. degree in Scientific Nutrition and 2 teaching certificates from Texas A&M University, a Master’s in Educational Administration and Mid-Management Certification from Prairie View A&M University, and a Doctorate in Historical, Social, and Cultural Foundations from University of Houston-Central. My husband and I have 20-year old twin girls.
Q: What are three things you can’t live without?
A: What an intriguing question…I cannot live without a cold bottle of Coke Zero, Chapstick, and “access to” two Tylenol after a hard work out or run.
Q: Who are some women (real or fictional) you look up to the most? Why?
A: First and foremost, I look up to my deceased mother who taught me what it means to a strong Black woman. Since my father was in the military, that meant being stationed at various bases for a few years at a time. Thus, we moved around quite a bit. My mom was the sole caregiver of 3 young children. When my father received orders to return to Germany in the late 1970s, my mom decided that she and her children would remain in the States. We moved to my parents’ hometown in Texas while my Dad was stationed in Berlin for 3 years. After that time, he was stationed at 2 other bases in Texas to finish out his military career while we remained in our hometown with extended family. My mom was the epitome of strength and resiliency. She sacrificed so much for us.
Second, I look up to the many phenomenal women who paved the way for me and my daughters to pursue anything and do anything as strong women.
Q: What are some problems you anticipate/have encountered as a woman in your field?
A: The suppression of my narrative of what it means to be a scholar and an academic.
Q: What advice would you give to other women and young girls?
A: I would say to own your truth and do not embrace or accept anyone else’s definition of who you are. Even with the best intentions, people will sometimes underestimate your talents and gifts, your greatness, your intelligence, your strength, or any other qualities and characteristics that make all of us unique and amazing.
Q: Is there anything you would like our readers to know?
A: While we all have different paths, always help to elevate others along the way on your journey.
CORRECTION 4/5/2021: The question “What advice would you give to other women and young girls?” was incorrectly written as “What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?” The first question was the version asked to Jones.
