Interview and Article by Asta Hemenway, Executive Editor
Tracey Stallworth a former student of Tallahassee Community College, now teaches College Success, and is an advisor at TCC.
His instructor of College Success Doug Davey, initially offered him a position teaching the same class at TCC.
“(Davey) says, do you want to work and teach college success? As soon as I got my master’s, I came and applied at TCC. And he gave me a job,” Stallworth said.
Stallworth said that he has always been good at mediating conflict.
When he started teaching SLS he realized he wanted to assist people.
“I started really engaging with a lot of students I was like well maybe I can help some people.”
He enjoys having the ability to connect with individuals.
“I get frustrated sometimes when I don’t think I can really help them.”
During the busiest times of the year when advising is crowded, Stallworth said he often puts up large stickers of words and pictures for encouragement in his office.
“I like to have diverse pictures of people from different backgrounds. I want (students) to be able to see themselves.”
He said he never assumes that he knows everything about a situation.
“We don’t want to listen to what other people say, so I’ve coined this phrase, the word knowledge when you break it down to ‘know’ to ‘ledge’. When you think you know it all then the ledge appears, and you fall off.”
He said the youth helps keep him up to date and he values what input they may have.
“Young people help me stay in tune with the students that I teach,” he said. “I always ask them how did the semester go? What should I change?”
Stallworth said people don’t suspect him to have struggled in school.
“Oh, you’re really gonna love this one,” he said. “I got kicked out of high school. I never went back to school. I lied on my applications to get certain jobs.”
“My last job I was making about $60,000 dollars and I lost it. I was working for daily labor and my wife at the time, she was my girlfriend. She said, ‘you need to go to school, become a barber’. I passed my GED program within about two hours. I had good scores. And I went (to the Barber) and I had a little pride and arrogance,” he said.
Stallworth said he tried to apply for the job and he was turned away.
“Yeah, I passed this test, this GED, and (the owner) looked at me and she says, I’m not impressed. She said why don’t you go school, to TCC and get your AA. She looked at me with this stern look. I’m like who is this old lady, looking at me, giving me some advice?”
Stallworth said he took her suggestion and completed the degree.
“So, I went and got my AA here and I went back prideful, arrogant.”
Stallworth said this situation led him to get a better education.
“You told me to do this, I did it. She said sir, I’m still not impressed. ‘Why don’t you get your undergrad?’ Then I graduated with my undergrad. I didn’t go back, I understood. She was pointing, giving me eyesight, and it was no longer about pride. She was trying to help me become successful which led to me getting my master’s and two doctor degrees.”
Stallworth has a doctorate of ministry (D.Min.), a type of professional doctorate with a focus on ministry. This degree is similar to a Doctor of Education (EdD) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). To obtain this degree, the completion of a Master of Divinity (MDiv) and dissertation, or research project is required. The degree can take up to 6 years to complete.
“When I did complete my first doctor degree, in honor I went over (to the Barber Shop) and I told her I appreciate you for really being stern. And where I come from this is not possible, but it is possible. You would never expect me to be where I am right now,” said Stallworth.
He advises that we all prioritize and set our goals despite what friends, or peers believe.
“What matters is that you accomplish your mission, your assignment, your goal, everybody has potential,” he said. “Everybody has a purpose. I’m always asking myself what my purpose is because I am always redefining myself. I’m always trying to grow. I’m always trying to learn. Just be encouraged and stay true to yourself.”
