Service, Creative Works, Outreach, and Engagement
“We must always attempt to lift as we climb.” —Angela Davis
Interview on Greek Experiences
Dr. Gaines is happy to be of service to others. This is also a core belief and practice of Black Greek Lettered Organizations. To the left is an interview Dr. Gaines participated in on the impact, history, and culture of the National Pan-Hellenic Council/the Divine Nine on campuses.
Leadership
Serving as Leadership is also important. Dr. Gaines served on the executive board of UCF’s Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) during the 2022-2024 academic years as Membership Co-Chair. In her position, she worked to increase BFSA membership and organize and aid in mentoring efforts for Black faculty, staff, and students.
City of Orlando’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade
Dr. Gaines was proud to walk in the 2023 Parade, in representation of the University of Central Florida (UCF), UCF’s Black Faculty and Staff Association, UCF’s College of Undergraduate Studies, and UCF’s Interdisciplinary Studies. In doing so, she was able to create relationships with community partners and provide outreach materials to parade attendees.
Mentoring of Students and Student Research
Dr. Gaines has acted as a chair for multiple undergraduate honors theses and individual research projects. To the right and below, two of her honors students present their projects at two undergraduate research symposiums.
Student Graduations
Faculty presence at student graduations, medallion ceremonies, and other commencement activities is important for students. Dr. Gaines makes it a duty to celebrate and congratulate the graduates every semester. She has also written and given speeches at these celebrations.
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Black Spartan Retreat
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SJSU Student and Faculty Dinner
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Virtual Study Hall
University of Central Florida’s Fall 2022 Homecoming Step Show
Dr. Gaines rated and reviewed organizational performances as a panel judge for the Fall 2022 UCF homecoming step show.
“It is brave to be involved.” — Gwendolyn Brooks
Recent Service, Volunteer, Community, and Outreach Work:
Service to the University, College, Department, and Students
Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 Graduate Faculty Scholar, College of Graduate Studies and College of Social Sciences, Security Studies, University of Central Florida
Summer 2022 – Fall 2022 College of Undergraduate Studies Strategic Planning Task Force, Discovery and Exploration Workgroup, University of Central Florida
Summer 2022 – Summer 2024 Membership Co-Chair (Faculty), Black Faculty and Staff Association, University of Central Florida
Spring 2022 – Fall 2022 Committee Member, Annual Evaluation Standards and Procedures Review Committee, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Central Florida
Spring 2022 – Summer 2022 Internal Search Committee, University of Central Florida’s Interdisciplinary Studies, position of Assistant Director for Interdisciplinary Studies.
Spring 2022 Faculty Reviewer, University of Central Florida Upperco Family Scholarship
Fall 2021 – Spring 2022 Co-organized/planned/facilitated, The Diversity Celebration Series, Interdisciplinary Studies’ Diversity Track. This series consisted of the following four panel discussions during the 2021/2022 academic year: Diversity and Religion; Age, Abilities, and Diversity; Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity; Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality.
Fall 2021 – Present Committee Member, University of Central Florida, Division of Student Learning and Academic Success & The College of Undergraduate Studies. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup
Fall 2021 Advisor, Interdisciplinary Studies Student Society, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Central Florida
Fall 2021 – Present Committee Chair, Scholarships and Awards Committee, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Central Florida
Fall 2021 – Present Committee Member, Curriculum Committee, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Central Florida.
Fall 2021 Committee Member, Bylaws Committee, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Central Florida
Spring 2021 Advisor, The Black Leadership Council, The College of Wooster
Fall 2020 Weekly Virtual Study Hall for San Jose State University students
Spring 2020 Committee Member, Strategic Planning and Academic Senate, “Engage and Educate” University Wide Task Force, San José State University
Spring 2020 Co-advised and co-led 10 San Jose State University students to present and participate in the 44th Annual National Council for Black Studies Conference
Fall 2019 – Fall 2020 Advisor, American Association of University Women, student organization at San José State University
Fall 2019 – Summer 2020 Member, Advising Committee, College of Social Sciences, San José State University, Department of African American Studies
Fall 2019 Faculty Co-Lead, Black Spartan Retreat, an overnight Black Student Retreat, planned for San José State University students
Spring 2020 – Summer 2020 Advisor, Black Women’s Collective, student organization at San José State University
Service to the Profession and the Field
2022 – 2023 Reviewer, Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education
2021 – 2022 Reviewer, American Educational Research Association, Division G, Section 2: Differences and Intersectionalities
2020 – 2022 Reviewer, American Educational Research Association Journal, Division G, Social Context of Education
2020 – 2022 Reviewer, American Educational Research Association Journal, SIG-Research Focus on Black Education
2020 – 2022 Reviewer, American Educational Research Association Journal , SIG- Critical Examination of Race, Ethnicity, Class and Gender in Education
2020 – 2022 Reviewer, The Journal of Hip Hop Studies
2020 – 2021 Reviewer, American Educational Research Association, Division G, Section 3: Languages, Literacies, and Representations
Dissertation Committees
The University of Central Florida, Committee: Ogedengbe, Pleasant. (2023). Understanding the Political Identity of Native Blacks and African Immigrants in the formation of Racial Group Consciousness in America.