Biography

Dr. Roshunda Harris-Allen is a native of Detroit, Michigan and currently resides in Byram, Mississippi with her husband Dorian Allen and three of four children, Dorian, Donovan, and Dalis. Her oldest son, De’Andre Allen, currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education, and Specialist Certification in Infant and Toddler Development. In May 2015, Dr. Allen earned her Doctorate of Education in Early Childhood Education at Jackson State University.

Currently, Dr. Allen is an Associate Professor of Education, Director for the Institute for the Study of Modern Day Slavery, and the Student Advisor for the Harriet Tubman Project at Tougaloo College located in Tougaloo Mississippi. While at Tougaloo College, Dr. Allen participates in analyzing, designing, producing, and teaching instructional materials from approved curricula; motivates students to actively participate in all aspects of the educational process; and oversee all professional studies activities. She also serves as an educational consultant for various private and public organizations. Dr. Allen has worked in the field of education since 1999 and has an extensive background in PreK-16 education. Currently, she serves on the Leadership Team for the NAEYC Black Caucus; is a Board Member for Autism Mississippi, LERS (Lifestyle, Education, and Resource Services), the Justice Training Institute, and the JPS (Jackson Public Schools) Teacher Academy; a Level Leader with the Girl Scouts of America; is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Junior Auxiliary Byram-Terry, the Byram Chamber of Commerce, the Mississippi Association of Educators, the Poor People’s Campaign, and the Higher Education Literacy Council.

Prior to Tougaloo College, Dr. Allen had the opportunity to obtain positions with Jackson Public Schools, Hinds County Human Resource Agency, Mississippi State University, Jackson State University, Star Healthcare, and Danya International (Office of Head Start). Dr. Allen has experience in developing partnerships and working with non-profit organizations, government and city businesses, school districts, foreign exchange students, and traditional and nontraditional students. She also has experience in marketing, outreach, and recruitment; creating syllabi and planned course activities; teaching courses face-to-face, hybrid, and online; serving on department committees; providing professional development to educational staff; writing for specialization courses; developing curriculum for Certificate/Degree Programs; and grant writing and publishing.

Dr. Allen research interest focuses on how to provide effective professional development to early childhood educators, those enrolled in a preK-16 academic setting, families, and the community in efforts to improve the quality of life for young children and help to demolish the “cradle-school-to-slavery pipeline.” Focusing on Social-Emotional Development/Restorative Justice Practices and Early Literacy, her goal is to do develop a comprehensive curriculum for educators of young children to improve social competence and to enable children to become active learners and productive citizens. Dr. Allen is the author of several articles and the book "SOCIAL JUSTICE: Disrupting the Pipeline.

Dr. Allen is an advocate for children and students of all ages and always finds opportunities to serve the community. Dr. Allen is the Cheer Coordinator for the Byram Jr. Bulldogs; a mentor for the Byram-Terry Crown Club; a leader in hosting restorative justice peace circles at various schools and community organizations; and supports her family as a “soccer, football, track, baseball, and cheer mom.” Her favorite quote is: Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.-Rita Pierson.