Celebrating Women’s History Month with PhD Project member and Dean of the School of Business and Economics at Moravian University Dr. Laquita Blockson

In honor of Women’s History Month, I spoke with PhD Project member Dr. Laquita Blockson, who is the inaugural Dean of the School of Business and Economics (SOBE) as well as a professor of management at Moravian University.

Dr. Blockson spoke about her doctoral journey, the impact The PhD Project’s Strategic Partner WiBE Network and Corporate Partner AACSB has had on her career, and her advice for other women who want to be leaders in academia or in the business world. Founder and CEO of WiBE Network, Lisa Leander, also shared a few words about Dr. Blockson and the importance of the partnership with The Project.

Here’s what they had to say:

As a participant of The PhD Project and AACSB’s Aspiring Leaders Program in 2019, what did you learn? How did you apply those takeaways to your career?

Laquita: This opportunity was instrumental in my role as director at Agnes Scott College and later in my position as dean. The tools, knowledge and pearls of wisdom that the event provided were extremely impactful. And it was immensely helpful to have a sounding board and to be able to ask questions.

I cannot thank The PhD Project enough for the networks, friendships and mentorships I’ve formed. Without the guidance I’ve received, I would not be where I am today in a higher-level leadership role. My PhD Project peers and mentors saw something in me I didn’t necessarily see in myself.

Congratulations on becoming a dean! How is your new role going? And what is your favorite part?

Laquita: There is never a dull moment. I love my work! I didn’t think I would love serving as a dean as much as I do. In my previous role, I was able to employ my passions and implement a curriculum to educate students in a particular area. Now, as a dean, I’m not only able to influence the curricula but I’m also able to steward a body of faculty, students and staff in a direction that empowers students to become their best professional selves.

Moravian College became Moravian University in June of 2021, which permitted the creation of other schools. This change meant there was a blossoming of a variety of programs and offerings for students at various levels. It also provided a richer education experience for our students. It’s truly incredible to be able to cast forth that vision to be our best professional selves so that students can become their best professional selves in whatever their business endeavor is. There is something new every day, and I love it.

What impact has The PhD Project partner Women in Business Education [WiBE] Network had on your career as a leader in academia?

Laquita: I got to know Women in Business Education [WiBE] Network through The PhD Project. I signed up for its first virtual conference back in 2021, and it was great because I was able to connect with female business leaders and women in business academe – deans, associate deans, directors, provosts – many of whom are a part of a historically marginalized population. Everyone fueled my inspiration as they offered advice and tools on different issues.

I’ll be honest, I was not necessarily aspiring to be a dean. I did, however, have aspirations of being an academic administrator of some sort. But the question was always what kind of role would be ideal for me. Before my current position, I was a director at Agnes Scott College, which was a wonderful opportunity as it enabled me to use my knowledge as a scholar and faculty member in the classroom. After the first WiBE Network conference I attended, I was blown away and knew I wanted to take on a higher leadership role. WiBE’s workshops and activities changed my career path and inspired me to become a dean. ?

WiBE is an extension of home because The PhD Project is ultimately my home, so to be a part of another organization that offers impactful coaching, workshops, seminars and breakout sessions is truly incredible.

As a friend and the founder & CEO of WiBE Network, tell us a little bit about Laquita. How is she making an impact? ?

Lisa: Many of our WiBE members have dubbed themselves "accidental deans," perhaps having stepped into the role without prior intent. However, I have witnessed these individuals rising to the challenge and thriving in their positions. Laquita exemplifies this, as she has uncovered her greatest strengths since stepping into her leadership role.

Laquita is currently spearheading the establishment of a new business school at her institution and leaving an important founding leadership legacy for those who come after her. Her expertise as a scholar, faculty member, director and participant in the Aspiring Leaders Program made her the perfect fit for this endeavor. Laquita's strong emotional intelligence and willingness to explore new ideas have enabled her to build an exceptional team and inspire others with her passion and enthusiasm. I believe this is only her first step towards even greater ambitions.?

We need more diversity and gender balance in top leadership roles within business schools, which is why I am grateful to have Laquita as a member of our WiBE Black Women Leaders group. It brings together current and future deans from around the world to support and inspire each other.?

Through our strategic partnership between The PhD Project and Women in Business Education, we can continue to support and build the pipeline of diverse future leaders in business education.??

Extraordinary trailblazers like Laquita, who are willing to share their experience and expertise with those hopeful to follow in her path, will inspire the next generation. She makes our global network phenomenal.

How do we ensure that there are more women who look like you in leadership roles in academia and administrative positions?

Laquita: Underrepresented minority women have a variety and wealth of experiences. For example, my pathway to deanship wasn’t the typical or traditional route. I spent some time in corporate America, pursued a PhD, left academia, joined the non-profit sector and did consulting work with organizations. I made great connections along the way with donors, community members, employers, professionals and supporters. Having a pulse on what’s going on outside of our academic walls is really important, so bringing my skillset to my current role now has been amazing. And I’m glad that climbing up the academic ladder is no longer necessary to land higher-level administrative positions. A lot of female leaders – particularly women of color – have a variety of experiences that may be perceived as atypical. It’s important to remember that they still bring naturally possessed skills to the table that are now wanted and warranted.

What do you think is the most important quality for a dean to have?

Laquita: The greatest quality for a dean to possess is sense making. Making sense of what the environment is on the campus and within the school and understanding what the institution’s needs are and what it aspires to be in the future. It also means being able to recognize the forces from outside of the school that we may not necessarily be able to control but that we have to manage in some way. Lastly, sense making from the standpoint of being attuned to the needs of various internal and external stakeholders. They all have different interests and expectations of us as a business school, so it’s important to provide direction and vision that enables the school to thrive in a very complex environment in higher education.

What advice do you have for other women who aspire to be in a leadership role in higher education or in the business world?

Laquita: Be authentic in your actions, your engagements and your interactions with others. It’s important to be able to navigate environments where being yourself is accepted and lauded and be resilient in times when it’s not. Regardless of what space you may be in or the position of leadership you hold, to do it in a manner where you can be your most effective and authentic self as well as foster a space where others can do so too is critical. Embrace inclusivity and authenticity. Let that be your foundation for every decision going forward.?