Dr. Frank T. Hawkins
- In Memoriam -
Founder
Professor Emeritus- PVAMU
Prairie View, TX
Dr. Hawkins held various faculty positions at Prairie View including, director of Freshman Studies Mathematics, head of the Department of Mathematics, and professor of mathematics. He also served as PVAMU’s coordinator for the Texas School Mathematics Initiative for the state of Texas, a position he held until his retirement in August 2004. He taught at the Department of Mathematics for 39 years before retirement and founded of the Research Association of Minority Professors (RAMP). Dr. Hawkins was a true visionary and was held in high esteem by all who knew and him. Dr. Frank T. Hawkins passed away December 21, 2020, at the age of 85.
Professor Emeritus- PVAMU
Prairie View, TX
Dr. Hawkins held various faculty positions at Prairie View including, director of Freshman Studies Mathematics, head of the Department of Mathematics, and professor of mathematics. He also served as PVAMU’s coordinator for the Texas School Mathematics Initiative for the state of Texas, a position he held until his retirement in August 2004. He taught at the Department of Mathematics for 39 years before retirement and founded of the Research Association of Minority Professors (RAMP). Dr. Hawkins was a true visionary and was held in high esteem by all who knew and him. Dr. Frank T. Hawkins passed away December 21, 2020, at the age of 85.
RAMP Executive Board
2023 - 2025
We are pleased to highlight the illustrious members of our Executive Board for 2023 - 2025!
Dr. LaShawn McNeil
Acting President
Virginia State University
Ettrick, VA
Dr. LaShawn McNeil is the Acting President of the Research Association of Minority Professors. He is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education and the UTEACH Site Coordinator at Virginia State University. As an Assistant Professor, Dr. McNeil has a joint appointment where he teaches Foundation of Education courses in the College of Education and Introductory Chemistry courses in the College of Natural and Health Sciences. He has a Ph.D. in Science Education, MEd in Chemistry Education, and B.S. degree in Chemistry. Throughout his professional career, Dr. McNeil has taught at the K-12, community college, and university level in the states of North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. He is committed to mentoring and motivating students to pursue advanced degrees in their fields of interest. His areas of research are Small Groups and examining race, gender, and status using Claim-Evidence-Reasoning in undergraduate Chemistry.
Virginia State University
Ettrick, VA
Dr. LaShawn McNeil is the Acting President of the Research Association of Minority Professors. He is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education and the UTEACH Site Coordinator at Virginia State University. As an Assistant Professor, Dr. McNeil has a joint appointment where he teaches Foundation of Education courses in the College of Education and Introductory Chemistry courses in the College of Natural and Health Sciences. He has a Ph.D. in Science Education, MEd in Chemistry Education, and B.S. degree in Chemistry. Throughout his professional career, Dr. McNeil has taught at the K-12, community college, and university level in the states of North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. He is committed to mentoring and motivating students to pursue advanced degrees in their fields of interest. His areas of research are Small Groups and examining race, gender, and status using Claim-Evidence-Reasoning in undergraduate Chemistry.
Dr. Paula Montgomery
Immediate Past President
University of Louisiana-Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
Dr. Paula Montgomery is the Immediate Past-President of RAMP and has served in the capacity as the first Vice President in 2009, President-Elect in 2011, President from 2013-2015, President-Elect again from 2017-2019, President once more from 2019-2023. She has been a member of RAMP since 2002. She received the 2016 Dr. Frank T. Hawkins Distinguished Scholar Award (RAMP). She's also received various honors, fellowships, awards, and recognitions throughout her career. Dr. Montgomery has been an educator in various capacities and grade levels for almost 4 decades. She has been a high school social studies teacher, a middle school guidance counselor, a middle school assistant principal, an elementary school principal, an assistant professor, an associate professor, a full professor and professor emerita. She presently came out of retirement to work as the Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and serves on a number of boards on the college, university, state level and national levels. She has received the honor of being noted as an expert in School Culture by SREB and traveled extensively helping school leaders to understand the complexities and impact of cultivating a strong school culture. Her research interests include, but are not limited to, women in leadership, various anomalies in teaching and learning pedagogies, leadership styles, and African American women in leadership.
University of Louisiana-Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
Dr. Paula Montgomery is the Immediate Past-President of RAMP and has served in the capacity as the first Vice President in 2009, President-Elect in 2011, President from 2013-2015, President-Elect again from 2017-2019, President once more from 2019-2023. She has been a member of RAMP since 2002. She received the 2016 Dr. Frank T. Hawkins Distinguished Scholar Award (RAMP). She's also received various honors, fellowships, awards, and recognitions throughout her career. Dr. Montgomery has been an educator in various capacities and grade levels for almost 4 decades. She has been a high school social studies teacher, a middle school guidance counselor, a middle school assistant principal, an elementary school principal, an assistant professor, an associate professor, a full professor and professor emerita. She presently came out of retirement to work as the Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and serves on a number of boards on the college, university, state level and national levels. She has received the honor of being noted as an expert in School Culture by SREB and traveled extensively helping school leaders to understand the complexities and impact of cultivating a strong school culture. Her research interests include, but are not limited to, women in leadership, various anomalies in teaching and learning pedagogies, leadership styles, and African American women in leadership.
Dr. Rondell Bailey
Treasurer
University of Texas Medical Branch
Houston, TX
Dr. Rondell Bailey serves as the current Treasurer of RAMP. His present professional endeavor includes serving as Project Consultant for The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Health, Department of Pharmacy, principally located in Galveston, Texas. He received his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration, Master of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience in learning and development and leadership development. Dr. Bailey has been a loyal RAMP Member for over 25 years and was the 3rd Recipient of the prestigious Dr. Frank T. Hawkins Distinguished Scholar Award in 2010. His areas of experience include leadership development, higher education administration, project consulting, and learning and staff development.
University of Texas Medical Branch
Houston, TX
Dr. Rondell Bailey serves as the current Treasurer of RAMP. His present professional endeavor includes serving as Project Consultant for The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Health, Department of Pharmacy, principally located in Galveston, Texas. He received his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration, Master of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience in learning and development and leadership development. Dr. Bailey has been a loyal RAMP Member for over 25 years and was the 3rd Recipient of the prestigious Dr. Frank T. Hawkins Distinguished Scholar Award in 2010. His areas of experience include leadership development, higher education administration, project consulting, and learning and staff development.
Dr. Pamela T. Barber-Freeman
Financial Secretary
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX
Dr. Pamela Barber-Freeman currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling in the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education at Prairie View A&M University. She has taught ethnically diverse mathematics students at various educational levels (grades 6-12; community college and university) since 1972; and served as a counselor and educational leader in the public school, community college, and higher education. Dr. Barber-Freeman earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Langston University; and her Master Degree and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. In 1994, she was selected one of 60 professors nationwide to participate in the NSF-funded Teacher Education Equity Project whose goal was to increase females' relatively low level of participation in mathematics, science, and technology where she became a certified consultant for Gender Equity in Math, Science and Technology. She was also certified as a national evaluator by NSF in 1996. During March 2002, she was selected as one of 60 professors from around the world to participate in GLOBE training that was held in Washington D.C. From this training, she received certification to be a GLOBE Trainer. In 2003, she was one of 60 professors invited to participate in the Congressional Children’s Caucus Members’ Briefing: Closing the Achievement Gap in Washington D. C. She has been a member of RAMP since February 1995.
Dr. Andrea McDonald
Recording/Corresponding Secretary
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX
Dr. Andrea McDonald is an Assistant Professor of Health and current curriculum chair in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Prairie View A&M University. She received a Ph.D. in Health Education from Texas A&M University, College Station, a Master of Science in Human Sciences concentration in Dietetics, and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, Foods, and Nutrition from Prairie View A&M University. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and credential in Effective College Instruction by the Association of College and University Educators and the American Council on Education (ACUE). Dr. McDonald research focus on health disparities among underserved minority adolescents, food preparation literacy, mental health and curriculum development specialized in backward design, accommodations, and accessibility.
Dr. Arthur C. Evans, III
Director of Publicity
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
Clarkston, GA
Dr. Arthur C. Evans, III serves as the Director of Publicity for the Research Association of Minority Professors. He currently is the Dean of the School of Industrial Technologies and Legal Studies at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He has been an educator in the 2-year technical college setting for over 10 years. Dr. Evans obtained his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Clark Atlanta University where his dissertation focused on the impact of faculty professional development on student success. He also has a Master of Science in Education Leadership, with a focus on Teaching and Learning from Keiser University. His Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from Kennesaw State University.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
Clarkston, GA
Dr. Arthur C. Evans, III serves as the Director of Publicity for the Research Association of Minority Professors. He currently is the Dean of the School of Industrial Technologies and Legal Studies at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He has been an educator in the 2-year technical college setting for over 10 years. Dr. Evans obtained his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Clark Atlanta University where his dissertation focused on the impact of faculty professional development on student success. He also has a Master of Science in Education Leadership, with a focus on Teaching and Learning from Keiser University. His Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from Kennesaw State University.
Dr. Candy H. Ratliff
Parliamentarian
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX
Dr. Candy H. Ratliff is an associate professor and interim chair in the Department of Counseling at Texas Southern University. Dr. Ratliff has held a variety of positions in the elementary, secondary, and higher education systems over the past 38 years, including department chair in secondary education and assistant dean in higher education. She was awarded the Presidential Award for Lifetime Achievement. Dr. Ratliff has promoted clinical mental health through consultation, publications, and the presentation of research findings at local, national, and international conferences, in addition to her work in schools, her research interests include body image, trauma, women's issues, and end-of-life care.
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX
Dr. Candy H. Ratliff is an associate professor and interim chair in the Department of Counseling at Texas Southern University. Dr. Ratliff has held a variety of positions in the elementary, secondary, and higher education systems over the past 38 years, including department chair in secondary education and assistant dean in higher education. She was awarded the Presidential Award for Lifetime Achievement. Dr. Ratliff has promoted clinical mental health through consultation, publications, and the presentation of research findings at local, national, and international conferences, in addition to her work in schools, her research interests include body image, trauma, women's issues, and end-of-life care.
Dr. Clara Young
Editor, RAMP Journal (JRAMP)
Retired Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN
Dr. Clara Young has recently served as the Assistant Vice-President of Academic Affairs before her retirement from 2020 - 2022 at Tennessee State University. At Tennessee State University, she held roles as Professor & Department Chairperson Teaching and Learning. Dr. Young became a Doctor of Education, Curriculum & Instruction in Education in 1994 from Illinois State University. Her most relevant achievements, accomplishments, professional triumphs are winning the Dr. Frank T. Hawkins Distinguished Scholar Award from RAMP, serving as the Editor of the Journal of RAMP (JRAMP), winning Professor of Eminence from Mortar Board, and Most Outstanding African American Woman in the Workplace. She was honored to have earned a fellowship with the Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunities Program (ICEOP). Her previous roles in higher education have been Assistant Professor at MIssissippi State University from 1994-1999, Assistant Professor at Auburn University Montgomery from 1999-2004, and Associate Professor from 2009-2015. Her research interests include mentoring, student retention and academic success in higher education, and scholarly writing.
Retired Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN
Dr. Clara Young has recently served as the Assistant Vice-President of Academic Affairs before her retirement from 2020 - 2022 at Tennessee State University. At Tennessee State University, she held roles as Professor & Department Chairperson Teaching and Learning. Dr. Young became a Doctor of Education, Curriculum & Instruction in Education in 1994 from Illinois State University. Her most relevant achievements, accomplishments, professional triumphs are winning the Dr. Frank T. Hawkins Distinguished Scholar Award from RAMP, serving as the Editor of the Journal of RAMP (JRAMP), winning Professor of Eminence from Mortar Board, and Most Outstanding African American Woman in the Workplace. She was honored to have earned a fellowship with the Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunities Program (ICEOP). Her previous roles in higher education have been Assistant Professor at MIssissippi State University from 1994-1999, Assistant Professor at Auburn University Montgomery from 1999-2004, and Associate Professor from 2009-2015. Her research interests include mentoring, student retention and academic success in higher education, and scholarly writing.
Dr. Mary Hawkins
Charter Member
Retired Professor
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX
Dr. Mary Hawkins is the Charter Member of the Research Association of Minority Professors (RAMP). She is the wife of Founder, Dr. Frank T. Hawkins. Now a retired Professor from Prairie View A&M University, she first started her career as a teacher in the public school system of Texas for 8 years. Next, she lived in Prairie View, Texas to serve as a Professor & Researcher at Prairie View A&M University for 40 years! She has a Doctor of Education in Mathematics, a Master of Science in Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Chemistry. Dr. Mary Hawkins is both a member and she has served on the Board for the National Association of Mathematicians. She is also a proud member and serves on the Journal editorial Board for the Mathematical Association of America. In addition to these triumphs in her career, Dr. Hawkins has conducted research for the U.S. Department of Transportation with PVAMU, College of Agriculture at PVAMU, and the College of Home Economics at PVAMU. She is enjoying living her retirement and visiting the RAMPsters each year at the annual conference. She is honored to have the Dr. Mary Hawkins Scholarship in her namesake for student research enhancement, and she proudly awards each recipient.
Retired Professor
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX
Dr. Mary Hawkins is the Charter Member of the Research Association of Minority Professors (RAMP). She is the wife of Founder, Dr. Frank T. Hawkins. Now a retired Professor from Prairie View A&M University, she first started her career as a teacher in the public school system of Texas for 8 years. Next, she lived in Prairie View, Texas to serve as a Professor & Researcher at Prairie View A&M University for 40 years! She has a Doctor of Education in Mathematics, a Master of Science in Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Chemistry. Dr. Mary Hawkins is both a member and she has served on the Board for the National Association of Mathematicians. She is also a proud member and serves on the Journal editorial Board for the Mathematical Association of America. In addition to these triumphs in her career, Dr. Hawkins has conducted research for the U.S. Department of Transportation with PVAMU, College of Agriculture at PVAMU, and the College of Home Economics at PVAMU. She is enjoying living her retirement and visiting the RAMPsters each year at the annual conference. She is honored to have the Dr. Mary Hawkins Scholarship in her namesake for student research enhancement, and she proudly awards each recipient.
Vacant Offices
President-Elect
Vice President
Vice President
