My mission is to reduce mental health disparities in the African American community. I will achieve my mission through increased culturally relevant education, advocacy, and program development.
I created this blog site in service to you. I hope that the posts on these pages provide inspiration, hope, information, and empowerment. I wish to share my love of humanity.Allow me to briefly introduce myself:
I am ~Daughter, Sister, Mother,Mental Health and Education Advocate and Consultant, Professor, Mentor, Volunteer, and Subject Matter Expert on child welfare, juvenile justice and social services. I love the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Dodgers! ~
I like to blog and post about: Going Green, Spirituality,Mental Illness, Community Psychology, Prevention and Intervention,Social Justice, Advocacy for the Underserved and Oppressed, all things Purple, Wellness and Wellbeing, Sports, my love for Children & Families, and my African & American Heritage and Ancestry.
A few years ago I revised my teaching philosophy statement. After re-reading it several times, I am convinced it does not authentically reflect who I m in the classroom. What dos this statement lack? My values and my mission. In the spirit of transparency, I’m sharing one of the most recent revisions of my teaching philosophy statement:
As a seasoned university professor in the field of clinical and community psychology, my teaching philosophy embodies a commitment to fostering transformative learning experiences for my students. I view my role as a facilitator of the learning process, where I strive to strike a balance between solid theoretical foundations, effective pedagogical methods, and a genuine passion for the subject matter. Teaching, in my view, is an ongoing journey of inquiry that requires continuous dedication to scholarship through research, participation in conferences, workshops, and the reciprocal exchange of mentorship.
My primary objectives as an educator are threefold:
To nurture creative and critical thinking, both within and beyond the classroom.
To empower students with lifelong learning skills, equipping them to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
To prepare students for change and personal growth, recognizing that true learning is a transformative process.
I actively cultivate a student-centered learning environment that encourages students to connect their personal experiences with the subject matter. I champion active student involvement in the classroom, fostering creative and critical thinking and empowering them to take ownership of their learning journey. However, I also believe that learning and personal growth extend beyond the confines of the classroom, encompassing both intellectual and spiritual dimensions. I encourage personal growth through service, emphasizing the importance of civic and spiritual responsibilities as integral aspects of being socially responsible community members. Through open inquiry and engagement, we can all deepen our understanding, find purpose, and contribute meaningfully to society.
To be an effective educator, I recognize the importance of truly knowing my students. Respecting their unique knowledge and experiences, I approach teaching with the belief that all students are capable and possess valuable insights that can enrich the learning process. I view teaching and learning as a reciprocal exchange, where both students and teachers gain new insights, understandings, and skills that contribute to the growth of our field of inquiry.
Furthermore, I am committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that embraces diverse perspectives and experiences, seamlessly woven into the curriculum. As someone belonging to underrepresented and marginalized groups, I acknowledge the profound influence of my own experiences on my teaching approach. I believe that my students benefit from the diversity I bring, and I strive to ensure that every student feels valued and heard.
I understand that teaching is a dynamic and evolving process. It necessitates continuous growth, self-reflection, and adaptation as both the teacher and students learn and evolve. I firmly believe that educators should possess the knowledge and skills required for effective teaching, constantly working to refine and personalize their approach. Ultimately, I encourage students and teachers alike to steer their own educational journeys, actively seeking experiences that foster lifelong learning and personal development. In doing so, we contribute not only to our own growth but also to the advancement of our field and the betterment of society.
Today I had to opportunity to support 2025 Gulf States Math Alliance Conference Chair, Dr. Joe Omojola, Professor at Southern University at New Orleans, by providing a welcome on behalf of Academic Affairs. It brings me joy to bring attention to academic excellence!
Welcome Address Dr. Bree E. Cook, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) 2025 Gulf States Math Alliance Conference
Good morning, esteemed faculty, students, and distinguished guests.
On behalf of Southern University at New Orleans, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 Gulf States Math Alliance Conference. We are honored to host this gathering of brilliant minds from 28 colleges and universities across our region, all united by a shared commitment to advancing excellence and equity in mathematics.
A special thanks goes to the Chair of our organizing committee, Dr. Joe Omojola, and to all those who have worked tirelessly to bring this conference to fruition. We are also grateful to the Gulf States Math Alliance for fostering an environment where students and faculty can connect, collaborate, and inspire one another.
As we convene here at SUNO’s beautiful Lake Campus, I encourage you to take full advantage of the opportunities before you—engage in meaningful discussions, forge new partnerships, and explore innovative ideas that will shape the future of mathematics education and research.
This conference is more than an academic gathering; it is a celebration of the power of mentorship, diversity, and the pursuit of knowledge. Whether you are a student taking your first steps in mathematical research or a seasoned faculty member guiding the next generation, your presence and contributions are invaluable.
Thank you for being here, and welcome to the 2025 Gulf States Math Alliance Conference! May this be a weekend of discovery, collaboration, and inspiration.
If you follow me or Pacific Oaks College on social media you may have seen that Pacific Oaks College launched two new social work programs this past fall. Both the BSW and MSW programs, which are fully online, are recruiting for NEW F/T faculty positions!! We are recruiting for these positions RIGHT NOW and would like to fill them ASAP.
Please share these open positions with any individuals with MSW degrees you feel would be interested. If anyone decides to apply, please have them send me their name and resume so I can alert the hiring manager. Also, if there are ANY questions about what it’s like to teach at Pacific Oaks, questions about our social work programs, etc…please have them reach out to me.
As I sit in my office, (yes in my office at work, not at home!), I was struck again by a sense of feeling “not qualified”…a moment of being attacked by the ugly and sometimes debilitating ‘imposter syndrome’ which again is leaving me feeling like I need to do more. For many Black professionals, these feelings may look like ‘imposter syndrome’, but in all actuality they are symptoms from the systemic and institutionalized racism that they are experiencing…we should not confuse the two. I have experienced this as well, and have either left jobs or have been let go from jobs where racism was a huge culprit. For more information on this, check out this article: https://hbr.org/2021/02/stop-telling-women-they-have-imposter-syndrome. For this reflective note, it doesn’t matter too much which terms people want to use to describe these feelings, this is really a reflection on what I am feeling, and what I’m doing to address it.
Sometimes I do feel in so many ways my non-traditional path to where I am now, somehow leaves me not as capable as my peers. Grrrrrrrrr…my feelings of inadequacies can really shut me down…sometimes even bringing me to tears. Many who know me, may see my drive, ambition, determination and subsequent successes…but behind all of that I’m fighting to feel worthy and proficient. So the external manifestations you see may be defense mechanisms, part of my survival in this professional life I lead. I’m working on this. Daily.
When I am experiencing these feelings, I try to re-center. I also have to take a few minutes to check my thoughts, primarily the negative thinking. I will take stock of my road to where I am, pat myself on the back, and remind myself that I am where I am supposed to be, and I have the skills do what I need to do, even if that means asking for help/support. Anyone who has been a trailblazer, first generation college student, have been given opportunities they didn’t necessarily ask for AND may be from a BIPOC or other under-served group, will probably have experienced these feelings. Sometimes it’s a lonely road when you’re the first in your family to do something. Sometimes it feels like why me, I didn’t ask for all of this, especially when you get hit with the feelings of inadequacies. It’s scary, and to this day, I get scared. BUT I also have support. That is KEY for any of us to do our work. My husband has been amazing, and so have my Sister-Friends. Spending time away from all of this is also critical for me to regain my strength to keep going. VACATION/PTO days are a must. I’m talking about self-care.
I also have to re-center in my faith. I say this because I KNOW I possess God-given talents/gifts, and daily I do my best to be obedient and share these with all I come in contact with. I also desire to honor my elders and ancestors, and my passion for empowering, advocating and uplifting Black children and families comes from that. Ultimately, this is what it’s all about for ME. Doing what God put me here to do. You’ll have to find that for yourself. It’s going to be important to keep you going, no matter your faith, religion, beliefs, etc.
The one other thing I would encourage is therapy, and of course I would be encouraging therapy, of course!
Until about 12 years ago, I never thought I would work in a College or University, now I can’t imagine leaving higher education! Unfortunately, this is not the same reality for an increasing contingent of Black faculty. When I first started in higher education, it was as a contingent faculty aka adjunct faculty. I taught as many classes as they let me, and I valued the flexibility, as my child was young and I was a single-parent with an active son. I initially stayed in higher education, after securing a staff position initially, because of the flexibility, collegial environment (I was used to being the only or one of the only doctoral level employees in my former professional life), and promotion opportunities. As I moved back into a faculty role, albeit at a non-tenure track Institution, I fell in love with working with students. Teaching, supporting, encouraging and mentoring students became my life and one of my professional goals. As I moved into leadership positions, I became increasingly more aware of the stark differences BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color) with how we are and the resources and support that was lacking during the promotion process. I want to be part of the change needed. I realize why I am HERE, in higher education. To provide representation, support and a voice for those Black and Brown faculty and staff, the under-represented, the minority.
We are NEEDED! Representation Matters. We (Black women and men in the academe) should not feel the need to LEAVE these coveted positions due to racism experienced, especially when so few of us are allowed to be in them! I recently heard a statistic about a California university that they had over 900 tenured faculty, but less than 50 of those were Black/AA! That is LESS than 1%. THIS is unacceptable on all levels. So not only do we need to address the systemic and institutional racism that prevents us from promoting/securing tenured or permanent f/t faculty positions, we need to work hard to support and retain them. ALL of this needs to happen NOW.
I work hard in my position to provide support and mentorship to all of our F/T and adjunct faculty, especially our Black faculty. I honor my ancestors by doing this. This is one of the most important reasons I stay in higher education and press forward! Black/AA/BIPOC Students need to SEE and LEARN from us. White students ALSO need to SEE and LEARN from us. #diversitymatters
First let me say, I absolutely love camping. Now, I enjoy more “glamping” type of experiences but if my husband said lets go tent camping this weekend, I’d say OK! Some of this is age, and because there’s a little sense of “been there done that”. Regardless, being outdoors makes me happy. Throw in some beautiful scenery, the ocean or majestic mountains, and I’ll be in my happy place.
What I’m realizing is there are so many of my friends that have not ever been camping, RVing and don’t necessarily enjoy the outdoors the same way I do. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not into hunting and fishing….but I know it happens and can appreciate the people who live off the land, and this is their way of life. I really want to understand why? Is it not wanting to get dirty? Is it not wanting to go days without showering? Is it not wanting to go to public restrooms or in nature (in a bush/tree/etc)? Is it fear of not having anything to do? WHAT IS IT?? lol
As a travel consultant, one of my goals is to help people go places they’ve never been before and to have experiences they’ve never had before. SO I’m super curious. I’d love to help curate a luxury or rugged camping experience for someone!! There are magnificent campgrounds and RV parks all over the world…but since we’re regulated to local travel right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, going camping, maybe one of the only vacations people can take in the US.
Are you someone who would TRY camping, if you could sleep in a bed and use an inside bathroom? If YES, then RVing may be for you. RVs (recreational vehicles) come in so many brands, shapes, sizes, and can be driveable or towable. From motohomes, to camper vans, to travel trailers to toy haulers, you can literally find a size/length and type right for you and the type of experience you’d like to have.
For families, your choices are many. Motorhomes, one of the types of RVs you drive are probably the most popular, because the kids can be in the back doing what they do, while you all are driving. If you have a truck, think F-150 or 1500, etc then you may be more interested in a Fifth Wheel trailer. The size in some of these RVs is amazing…like really wow! If you’re ok with towing your RV and have a larger SUV or truck, but don’t mind waiting until you get to your destination to get set-up, etc, then a travel trailer will be the most economical, in my opinion.
Either way, why NOT try it?? If you don’t feel comfortable with driving or towing one on your own, you don’t have to! Owners no will deliver their RV to you at whatever location you’re booked at (within reason and something there is an extra deliver fee). This means you can TRY the experience before making a major commitment of buying. You would rent the RV, book the RV site, and show-up! Cook Travel Planning can assist with all of these things…so now what’s your excuse?
If you’re interested, even a little bit, please reach out to CTP at cooktravelplanning@gmail.com, and ask me all the questions you have. SOON, we will be providing the RV rentals as well! Stay tuned, 2021 is gonna be BIG!
No time like the present to try something new! #IJS -Bree
Destroying, looting, and stealing from Black-owned Businesses, is NOT ok! I don’t condone it, I don’t support it and it really pisses me off to be honest.
I support #blacklivesmatter, the hashtag and the whole movement. I support protests, marching, rallying, boycotting, and even sometimes tearing ‘ish up! But the destruction of what is OURS, what people that look like you and me have worked a lifetime to build and create and pour life savings into, doesn’t help us grow, it tears us down. 🤦🏽♀️
I understand and feel the pain of our communities, all over the diaspora. I’m a daughter, sister, wife, mother in a Black family. While I’m a Christan and love all of humanity, and feel pain for anyone, I am affected to a whole ‘nother level by the oppression, racism, and pure hatred experienced by Black people in this country and in the diaspora. And I’m tired, and tired of being tired. I push on for my sons and daughters and nieces and nephews… and your sons and daughters and nieces and nephews and grandchildren. I do it for my ancestors. I do it for my legacy. I am because we are.
Young people, please take a lesson from the history books… we’re only as strong as our weakest link… and without entrepreneurship and business ownership by us for us in our communities, we will never be as strong as we can be. For reasons as old as this country, economic independence (for lack of a better term right now) is our weakest link.
Black people are brilliant, creative, trailblazers, strong, beautiful and so much more. I am proud to be a Black women. I am trying to represent the culture well.
But back to the reason for this particular post… PLEASE do not loot, destroy, damage or steal from Black-owned businesses!
For this week’s Ed Talk at Pacific Oaks College, I presented on “Advocacy in Mental Health”. July is BeBe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out the presentation and share with others. Its short!!
Check out this Q&A conversation I had with my @PacificOaks colleagues regarding families and how and why they may have changed over the years in America. Let me know what you think!
My colleague Melissa Shepherd-Williams, MA, LMFT and I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of a documentary chronicling the healing process for African American women dealing with depression.
The film is titled “The Rhythm of Blue”. I hope you all are able to check it out when it’s released.
Bree E. Cook, PsyD 