Lisa Winn Bryan, Ed.D.

Job title: Assistant Professor

Affiliation: Department of African American Studies

Bryan has research interests in historic preservation, community engagement, genealogy, African American Studies and the history of the enslaved.

Lisa Winn Bryan, Ed.D., has dedicated her career to higher education administration at colleges and universities throughout Virginia, such as James Madison University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, Mary Baldwin University and VCU. She is a strong proponent of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and recognizes the direct impact that these historic spaces have had on the Black community. Other areas of research and interest include historic preservation, community engagement, genealogy, African American Studies and the history of the enslaved.

Q&A with Dr. Bryan

Where did you grow up? Can you tell us a little about your educational journey?

I grew up in many places around Virginia: Lynchburg, Roanoke and Amherst. I attended JMU and VCU and received two degrees from each university.

When did you first fall in love with your field of study? What made you decide to work in academia?

I've heard the stories of the African American community my entire life. When I decided to major in African American studies it gave me the opportunity to cultivate my love for my family, education, history and my community. Academia was the final space within the university that I had not experienced, at least not in many years. It made sense for me to join the faculty at this point in my career.

What attracted you to VCU? What are you most excited about in regards to VCU and Richmond?

I've been in Richmond for almost 30 years now. I love the city! Richmond's full history needs to be told – and VCU is a big part of that history.

Can you talk a little about your teaching philosophy? What do you most like about teaching?

I love to hear what students have to say and share. They are student scholars and it's important to treat our students like the scholars they are becoming in their individual disciplines as they matriculate through VCU.

Can you tell us either a quirky fact about yourself or some of your hobbies?

I love to travel to historic sites throughout the south. I collect HBCU tees and Black Barbies, but only Black Barbies from the Signature Collection.

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