 Dr. Sharon J. Washington has been actively involved in enhancing social equity for over 20 years through her teaching in higher education and community involvement. She has spoken internationally and nationally at conferences, universities, schools and non-profit organizations to bring a new level of awareness to the topic of social justice. In addition, she has been conducting adventure-based interpersonal and group dynamics workshops since 1983 and draws on a wealth of experiences from working with young people, educators, higher education administrators, park and recreation professionals, allied health associates, corporate executives, and non-profit organizers.
Sharon J. Washington is currently the Special Assistant to the President for Diversity Initiatives at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, NC. Prior to her Bennett College appointment, Washington was Provost of Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. Before Spelman, Dr. Washington served as a Visiting Scholar in the Office of the President at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Commenting on the Spelman appointment, Kathryn Willmore, Vice President and Secretary of the Corporation at MIT stated, “Sharon Washington is truly gifted in her ability to tackle the toughest problems with rigor and grace, and to lead through example as well as inspiration. She has an impressive talent for identifying and addressing institutional issues in a straightforward manner, and for bringing people together in a common cause. These qualities – in addition to her sheer energy and dedication to service - will serve Spelman very well.”
Dr. Washington was on the faculty at Springfield College in Springfield, MA for six and a half years. While there, she was Professor of Education and Director of Graduate Education Programs. Prior to that appointment, she was the founding Director of Project S.P.I.R.I.T., a grant-funded program to increase the number of teachers of color in urban public schools in Springfield, MA. Previously, Sharon Washington was a tenured faculty member at Kent State University in the School of Exercise, Leisure and Sport.
She has over 17 years of professional experience and scholarly work in social justice education, higher education administration, teacher preparation, outdoor recreation, intramurals and recreational sports, and the arts. Her scholarly activities focus on; the impact of social identities on teaching, leadership and research; and the impact of courses with a social justice theme on students’ attitudes and beliefs about diversity. Dr. Washington earned a Ph.D. in Education at The Ohio State University, M.A. in Recreation and Park Administration from Central Michigan University, and B.S. in Recreation Education at The Ohio State University. |
