Debra Dobkins is the Dean of Brenau University’s Women’s College, a professor, and advocator for Brenau University. We chose her as this week’s campus celebrity because of her love for Brenau, her impacting involvement on and off campus, and passion for helping young women achieve their dreams. With her creative mind and love for writing, she established the Writing Center over in Brenau’s Trustee Library, to help all students become better writers.
***Dean Debra Dobkins at Grrrl Power Hour in 2014
Hometown: North Georgia
Alma Mater: Agnes Scott College
How did you become a professor/Dean at Brenau University?
“I went back to school and received a master’s degree in teaching English. I taught at a high school for a little while and then got an invitation to come to Brenau to start a writing center and to teach some English. Then was ask to become the Dean of Brenau.”
How long have you been teaching at Brenau?
“I’ve taught at Brenau for 17 years and I’ve been the Dean [of the women’s college] for four years.”
Why did you want to start the Writing Center?
“One of the reasons why I really wanted to start it is because I knew there was a huge need for it. I also know how powerful it is to express yourself through writing. I really wanted to help students write. I saw how students were really struggling to write and it is not easy. Students were really having a hard time transitioning from high school writing to college writing. I knew the writing center could really help students make that leap.”
How do you like teaching for a women’s college?
“Love it! That’s the reason why I decided to come to Brenau! When I started to teach, I knew how powerful my women’s college experience had been for me. I knew the difference it could make in a woman’s life, I know how it prepares you for the world in a way I know co-ed education cannot do.”
How do you get involved off Brenau’s campus?
“I do some volunteer work in the community. I am on the board of the Hall County Alliance for Literacy, and we help fund efforts to teach adults to read. One of the adults I recently met is a woman who is in her 50’s. When she started going to the Literacy Center, she could read nothing, and then after a good deal of hard work she can now read on a 4th grade level. I think one thing that is really important as a Brenau community is service and giving back to our community. ”