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“My goal is to create a learning environment that is engaging, critical and transformative – just as my professors at Kent State did for me.”

Tierra James, ’16, M.A. ’19, Ph.D. ’22, has built her career around research, teaching and mentorship, and she’s just getting started. After completing three degrees in sociology at Kent State, she stepped into a faculty role at Auburn University, where she now serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work.

Her research focuses on some of the most challenging issues facing society today, from suicide prevention in Black communities to the health and well-being of LGBTQ individuals in the South. She has already been published widely in respected journals including Death Studies, Children & Society, The Journal of Black Psychology and OMEGA – Journal of Death and Dying. Her recent article analyzing the last words of death row volunteers has broken new ground in her field.

But for Tierra, her greatest impact comes from the classroom. She makes it her mission to create a space where students feel seen, supported and inspired. Whether it’s mentoring students through their dissertations or taking her classes on eye-opening field trips, like visiting the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum, she strives to give her students the kind of transformative experiences she once had at Kent State.

“Tierra exemplifies what it means to be a Golden Flash – she earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at �鶹���� while also volunteering her time to improve Kent State,” said Soloman Starr, associate professor at Kent State. “She has continued to live the KSU mission in her time at Auburn University, as her research and teaching fosters learning in diverse and inclusive communities, and her methodological skills advance learning and creative expression.”

Kent State recognized Tierra’s accomplishments with some of its highest student honors, including the James T. Laing Scholarship for Outstanding Doctoral Student, the Graduate Dean’s Award and the University Fellowship. These accolades reflected not only her academic achievements but also her dedication to advancing equity and justice through her scholarship.

Beyond the classroom, Tierra focused on leadership and service that strengthened the Kent State community. She served as co-chair of the Anti-Racism Task Force, a member of the Institute for Anti-Racism and Equity Studies steering committee and leader of the Black Graduate Student Association. She also mentored fellow graduate students through the peer mentor program and supported diversity initiatives across campus. These experiences, she says, shaped her not only as a scholar but also as a mentor and advocate.

Today, her professional influence extends far beyond Auburn. Tierra is a trusted peer reviewer for multiple academic journals, including The Journal of Black Psychology and OMEGA – Journal of Death and Dying, ensuring that the highest quality research informs her field. She is also active in professional organizations such as the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Sociologists for Women in Society and the North Central Sociological Association, building networks that connect her work to broader conversations in sociology and criminology.

Tierra’s expertise is sought after nationally. She has delivered lectures on cultural competence in healthcare, health equity research and the racialized history of lynching and the death penalty. In each, she shares her passion for justice, encouraging audiences to reflect on inequities of the past and present. In one lecture for Auburn’s African American & Africana Studies Program, she shared the three words engraved on Kent State’s May 4 Memorial: Inquire, Learn, Reflect. She hopes her students and colleagues carry those words forward, just as she has.

“Dr. James clearly took the dedication and leadership from her time as a Kent State student to her new campus community, as a new professional serving in Auburn University’s Black Caucus, DEI Committee and African American and Africana Studies Program,” said Jenny Cureton, associate professor at Kent State. “Her intelligence shines through a calm and direct communication style motivated by passion and deep understanding of justice and equity.”

Even now, she stays connected to Kent State, collaborating with alumni and faculty on research and proudly sharing the lessons she learned as a Golden Flash with the next generation. With her mentorship and service, Tierra reflects the best of Kent State, and she’s just getting started.