Portia has worked in higher education for over 10 years. She is currently the Product Manager in Information Technology at The Ohio State University. In this role, she assists with enhancing the student experience through web and mobile applications.
In addition to student focused work, Portia works in fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion. Portia currently serves as the Vice Chair of Social Media and Communications for the Black Caucus, AACRAO’s 2022-2023 Nominations and Elections Committee, and is the Group VII Program Coordinator. Additionally, she co-hosts AACRAO’s podcast H.E.A.R.D, is a member of the Information Systems Technology Committee, and the Transfer and Technology Summit Advisory Committee. She has presented sessions at the Annual Conferences and participated as an Advocate for Congressional Hill Day. Portia previously served as the Chair of her department’s Diversity and Inclusion Council. In that role she presented content for staff to learn and apply to their respective areas, created a D&I Book Club, and organized outside guests to speak on different subject matters.
Portia is from a family of educators. Her grandfather was the president of Selma University, her dad is a retired high school teacher/counselor, and her husband is a middle school principal. It only made sense that she became a teacher and eventually moved to higher education. In addition to her career, Portia is a step-mom of two wonderful step-sons and a mother of a pre-teen daughter.