Dr. Stephanie Campbell - Trailblazer With A Touch That Saves

 Trailblazer With a Touch That Saves

Some women boast about having a successful professional career; however, few women can boast about having multiple successful professional careers. Dr. Stephanie Campbell earned that distinction. She began the spring of her professional career serving and protecting her community in law enforcement for 22 years before dedicating the August of her life to higher education. 

The Jacksonville, Florida native met many challenges but most were attributed to gender biases. In 1979, Campbell’s law enforcement career started in Starke, Florida with initiatives to add women and diversity to the profession. Campbell was intentional with her career pursuits. As women were mostly assigned grand theft and bad check cases, Campbell immersed herself in all areas of criminal justice. Her desire for professional growth and development led to a position in law enforcement training. 

The child of two educators, Campbell gradually transitioned to being an educator, a path she once resisted. Campbell states, “…I went to Florida State University, my major goal was that I would not go into education…I majored in criminology”. As many women in higher education, Campbell’s career as an education professional started as a faculty member. Forty-five days after retiring from law enforcement, Edward Waters College (now University) offered Campbell a department chair position. Campbell’s career in higher education administration was more of a tag-team of skills developed during her previous profession.

Campbell believes her life’s purpose is to “protect the sheep”. She has a “touch” for people. Her greatest moment of success is spring commencement, her “fuel” to go on. Campbell reflects on her time as a parole officer. “Seeing talents that had to go behind the gate”, commencement is the sign of hope in all that she does. Campbell’s greatest challenge, also focused on her students, came after hearing about the shooting death of one of her students. This moment created a type of PTSD; she thought she walked away from “that” when she retired from law enforcement.

Success according to Campbell includes having a goal, seeing the goal, and realizing the goal manifested/materialize. Campbell drives her success by “fussing”, being able to look a person in the face while encouraging the student to succeed. Her efforts are more important as Campbell targets risks factors. According to Campbell, an institution that, “allows wolves to enter”, tolerating risky behavior, puts us all at risk.

Dr. Stephanie Campbell currently serves as Assistant Provost for Operations and Academic Support at Edward Waters University. “Not every woman can handle the baggage that comes with leadership…the ‘Aha’ moment comes with experience dealing with the challenges”.

Trailblazer With a Touch That Saves

Some women boast about having a successful professional career; however, few women can boast about having multiple successful professional careers. Dr. Stephanie Campbell earned that distinction. She began the spring of her professional career serving and protecting her community in law enforcement for 22 years before dedicating the August of her life to higher education. 

The Jacksonville, Florida native met many challenges but most were attributed to gender biases. In 1979, Campbell’s law enforcement career started in Starke, Florida with initiatives to add women and diversity to the profession. Campbell was intentional with her career pursuits. As women were mostly assigned grand theft and bad check cases, Campbell immersed herself in all areas of criminal justice. Her desire for professional growth and development led to a position in law enforcement training. 

The child of two educators, Campbell gradually transitioned to being an educator, a path she once resisted. Campbell states, “…I went to Florida State University, my major goal was that I would not go into education…I majored in criminology”. As many women in higher education, Campbell’s career as an education professional started as a faculty member. Forty-five days after retiring from law enforcement, Edward Waters College (now University) offered Campbell a department chair position. Campbell’s career in higher education administration was more of a tag-team of skills developed during her previous profession.

Campbell believes her life’s purpose is to “protect the sheep”. She has a “touch” for people. Her greatest moment of success is spring commencement, her “fuel” to go on. Campbell reflects on her time as a parole officer. “Seeing talents that had to go behind the gate”, commencement is the sign of hope in all that she does. Campbell’s greatest challenge, also focused on her students, came after hearing about the shooting death of one of her students. This moment created a type of PTSD; she thought she walked away from “that” when she retired from law enforcement.

Success according to Campbell includes having a goal, seeing the goal, and realizing the goal manifested/materialize. Campbell drives her success by “fussing”, being able to look a person in the face while encouraging the student to succeed. Her efforts are more important as Campbell targets risks factors. According to Campbell, an institution that, “allows wolves to enter”, tolerating risky behavior, puts us all at risk.

Dr. Stephanie Campbell currently serves as Assistant Provost for Operations and Academic Support at Edward Waters University. “Not every woman can handle the baggage that comes with leadership…the ‘Aha’ moment comes with experience dealing with the challenges”.