Connect2TCC coordinator selected for global Emerging Leaders program

Tidewater Community College Coordinator Khadijah Peak-Brown was selected for the 2022-2024 Class of Emerging Leaders by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. Peak-Brown is one of ten advising professionals selected from an international pool of candidates.

The two-year Emerging Leaders program enables participants to work closely with mentors to enhance their skills and knowledge and will prepare them for leadership positions within higher education. Mentors and participants develop individualized plans based on the mentee’s interests, expertise and goals for the future.

“This is a well-deserved honor for Khadijah,” said Michael Summers, Special Assistant to the Vice President of Academics. “Her work this summer is important as it will impact the next generation of scholars by creating academic equity for students.”

Peak-Brown, TCC’s Connect2TCC coordinator, is developing a summer program for Norfolk Public School high school seniors called the Excellence Institute. A total of 50 students will engage in activities that build their academic and professional efficacy and, in turn, increase their persistence in their higher education pursuits.

“This is not just a job for me, but a call to action,” Peak-Brown said. “The Covid-19 pandemic stripped high school students of so many opportunities to build their academic and professional efficacy. They simply did not have the chance to experience milestones that are traditionally had during their high school years. They lost opportunities that organically happen in the classroom which through navigating those challenges, boosts academic and professional efficacy. Something should be done to address that.”

Peak-Brown describes her work as creating academic equity, by working on the social and emotional part of the equation and equipping students with the tools to succeed academically and professionally. 

“This work is important and will have a monumental impact on those we serve,” Peak-Brown said. “All the research around efficacy and academic success affirms that high academic efficacy leads to academic success. I’m excited to build opportunities to improve efficacy for students and provide urgent support that will aid in their success.” 

Peak-Brown joined TCC this year, having served at institutions ranging from private Christian universities to public historically Black colleges and universities. Her expertise is in at-risk retention and prevention efforts. Peak-Brown holds an Educational Specialists Degree in Educational Psychology and is in pursuit of her Ph.D.