Dr. Deshawna McCray is an innovative development professional. She has four children: Jordyn, Christopher, Neriah, and Amari. Although she hails from Los Angeles, California, she has lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, for the past twenty years.
Dr. McCray earned an Associate’s degree in Psychology in 2009 from Axia College. She continued her education and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, in 2015 with her Master’s in Management from the University of Phoenix, and in 2020 with a second Master’s in Instructional Design and Educational Technology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Her dissertation title is Beyond the Binary: Understanding Multiracial Black Women’s Leadership Narratives in Higher Education.
Dr. McCray has worked in various positions, from data entry operator, dispatcher, training coordinator, financial analyst, and administrative assistant. In 2012, she found her niche at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi as a Program Manager for SOAR, a Title-V federally funded grant, working with first-generation, low-income, minority STEM undergraduates. She was a career development specialist, developed and executed workshops and seminars, oversaw the youth program, and managed all community outreach through events, the website, and other marketing efforts. As Assistant Director for Project GRAD, she oversaw a summer bridge for incoming Islanders who wished to get a jump start on college and planned engagement events. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, she was the Communications Coordinator for the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Most recently, she had the privilege of serving as the Assistant Director for Academic Coaching and Success at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
She has a fire burning within her, driving her to empower herself through faith and knowledge to reach her optimum potential. Her drive has led her to acquire determination, independence, initiative, and a daily urge to be proactive. Through group settings or intimate conversations, she hopes to reach into the lives of those around her regardless of their age, socioeconomic class, or culture and to shine a little light on what could be the next best decision or opportunity in their life. She aims to continue providing others with personal, educational, and professional development opportunities.
deshawnamccray.me 