Headshot of Tierza Watts

Tierza Watts

Director of the Center for Leadership

Department: Center for Leadership

Office and address: Moseley Center, Office 230 2993 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Phone number: (336) 278-5323

Brief Biography

Tierza Watts has served as the Director of the Center for Leadership since June of 2023 and has worked in higher education for over 30 years.  Her professional work has been concentrated in Housing & Residence Life, Leadership Education, Student Involvement, and Civic Engagement work. She has also advised various student organizations, including Residence Hall Associations, the Student Government Association at two universities, a sorority, a fraternity, and even a secret society.  She is a military brat (#AirForce) and loves that she can call North Carolina home.  Tierza also loves the beach and camping in the Colorado Rockies.

News & Notes

Education

Bachelor of Science in Communications Media (Advertising / Marketing), Appalachian State University

Master of Arts in College Student Development, Appalachian State University

Employment History

Tierza previously she served as the Director of Student Life at the University of Colorado Denver, the Director of Residence Life / Residence Education at UNC Charlotte and Georgia Southern University, and the Associate Director of the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics & Public Service at NC State University.  Additionally she held several career building positions in Student Affairs and Housing & Residence Life at Appalachian State University, UNC Wilmington, and NC State.   

Courses Taught

Tierza has previously taught courses on leadership, paraprofessional counseling, and First Year Experience (FYE) courses at NC State University, Georgia Southern University, UNC Wilmington, Appalachian State University, and the University of Colorado Denver.  She teaches LED2100, Introduction to Leadership Studies, at Elon.

Presentations

LEI - Leadership Educators Institute

  • Co-curricular Leadership Development Through the Elon Experiential Learning Requirement

ACPA–College Student Educators International

  • Racial Caucus Group Facilitator
  • Residential Curriculum Institute – Showcase School, 
  • Residential Curriculum: What is it and what have we learned?
  • Starting from Scratch: Transitioning Into a New Organization, 
  • Unlocking Their Potential: Developing and Mobilizing Student Leaders,  Pre-Convention Workshop
  • Developing and Mobilizing Student Leaders: A Top 10 List, 
  • Developing Students as Critical Thinkers(Multicultural Competence), 
  • Getting Focused: Rejuvenation Through Student Affairs Mentors,  Pre-Convention Workshop
  • Mama D: Teaching Servant Leadership with Video 
  • Student Affairs Mentoring, Pre-Convention Workshop
  • 3 Years to Save the World: Understanding the Omega Management Style
  • Developing a Year-Long Training Plan for Student Leadership

Professional Activities

Tierza has been actively involved and served in several professional associations throughout her career.  Involvemement includes: College Student Educators, Int. (ACPA), the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO), North Carolina Housing Officers (NCHO), National Association of Campus Activities (NACA), and North Carolina College Personnel Association (NCCPA).