Alcorn alumna Tameka Winston is being recognized as outstanding professor and leader
Dr. Tameka Winston is having a great year. The Tennessee State University professor and Alcorn State University alumna has been honored with highly valued accolades: the 2015 Woman of Achievement Award at the 35th Annual Women in Higher Education in Tennessee Conference, the 2015-2016 Professor of the Year Award from Tennessee State University’s College of Liberal Arts, Nashville Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 and the Network Journal’s 2015 40 Under 40 — Dynamic Achievers in the United States.
“The four awards that I received this year are truly a blessing,” Winston said.
She was also accepted into the Fall 2015 Young Leader’s Council class.
Winston is enjoying the success that comes with a solid foundation and hard work. She credits Alcorn for her accomplishments. She is a professor, co-assessment coordinator and lead advisor in the Department of Communications at Tennessee State University where she teaches a variety of undergraduate courses. During an academic career that has spanned more than 13 years, Winston has taught, advised and mentored numerous students.
“My time at Alcorn State University was one of the best experiences of my life,” the 2001 graduate who enjoyed living in Burris Hall said. “My accomplishments are directly tied to the firm foundation created at Alcorn State.”
Winston, a Belzoni, Mississippi native, earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. While at Alcorn, she wrote for The Campus Chronicle and, in the spring of 2000, she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. She was also a proud member of the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite, performing as a Golden Girl.
“Professors such as David Crosby, Ann White and Cedric Tillman always went the extra mile to help the mass communications students,” Winston said. “I’m so thankful for their support and kindness during my undergraduate years.”
She continued her education after leaving Alcorn, earning a master’s degree from Austin Peay State University and a doctorate and specialist in education degrees at Tennessee State University.
Her education and enthusiasm have helped her earn leadership accolades from Tennessee State University and others.
Tennessee State University’s College of Liberal Arts awarded her the Professor of the Year award for the 2015-2016 year and the 2012-2013 year.
She received the 2015 Woman of Achievement Award at the 35th Annual Women in Higher Education in Tennessee Conference.
Winston co-authored and published a textbook, “Understanding the Speechmaking Process.” All students taking public speaking at Tennessee State University use this book. In addition to teaching and scholarly research, Winston created, executive produces and hosts two radio programs on Sirius Satellite Radio — Black Docs and Tennessee State Talk.
Black Docs features four African-American female doctors from different specialties. Each host brings her unique experiences to the show, leading to informative, fun and witty discussions. The co-hosts share their opinions on numerous subjects that are important to the African-American community including: HBCU history, mental health, healthy living and more. Her goal is to encourage discussing and engaging the issues beyond the radio.
The show, she said, works to counter negative images of women in the media. Mentoring and supporting those in need are integral to the show’s mission.
Winston is the director of Tennessee State University News Network in the Department of Communications. She works to make the TSU News Network the model of integrating technology while leveraging new media to create, establish and maintain a brand.
Winston researched and developed the Department of Communications print curriculum, which incorporates new media technologies and multimedia convergence. She is the first in the department to develop and teach a course that is offered solely online. Her research interests include coverage of education-related issues in the media, media convergence, new media technologies, multimedia curriculum and the status of education in Black Belt states. Winston also works with many different community service projects.
