For The Phenomenal People: Phenomenal Woman of the Month: Skyller Walkes

Skyller Walkes,

Associate Director/ Office of Disability Services/ Division of Student Affairs and Lecturer, University College at Texas State University

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy (Candidate), Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas

Adult, Professional, and Community Education, 2017 (Expected)

Master of Arts, Kean University, Union, New Jersey

Early Childhood Education Administration, 2005

Bachelor of Arts, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Communications; Mass Media Journalism; English (3 Majors), 2001

1. What is your brand and how did you get started? I recognize that it’s fairly “un-hip” to say this, but I personally don’t subscribe to the notion of “branding.” I believe that allowing myself to be mindful of my presence, as well as the sentience in each experience I engage while being rooted in my most authentic self, allows for a natural evolution without the pressures of concerning myself with how I may or may not be perceived. I’m not terribly concerned with how I’m perceived because it’s terribly easy to be “authored upon” by others who think they know you in an intimate way. So, I find it far more liberating to self-author my own story at each point of my journey whenever and however I choose.

2. What is your dream goal and how do you plan on achieving it? By remembering that none of us achieves a degree of success alone. There is always someone or someone who has helped us along the way- even if it was done through quiet/ invisible support or prayers. So, I try to lift as I climb remembering that there is no such thing as ever having “arrived.” Until everyone everywhere experiences freedom and equity, there is work to be done. My individual success or obtainment of goals may be worth celebrating, but only momentarily. The world is so much bigger than me. So, I prefer to keep my focus on global, expansive goals of positive change, beyond my own accomplishments. So, I celebrate the moments when the small victories move us all closer to that.

3. Name a moment that inspired you to feel more confident and inspired you to be comfortable in the skin you are in. The gift of life. Simply recognizing that life is short, and that death is certain, helps me to maintain perspective. I try to place my attention and spend my time on the things that nourish and uplift me. Even when it’s my own company- I do genuinely enjoy my own company and feel “at home” with my thoughts. I also hope to give to others in those exchanges, as well. So, there’s a spiritual reciprocity that gives me an incomprehensible joy and my love of God is at the center of that.

4. Name a person (dead or alive) that you look up to & why? I don’t have any idols, per se. However, I am inspired by and learn so much from others on a daily basis. I suppose I really do try to remain open to making empathic connections with others without being critical of where they are in their journey. I learned a long time ago that we are all fallible and will undoubtedly make mistakes that can unintentionally hurt others or even ourselves, along the way. So I try to accept that realization with humility while extending grace in those moments of disappointment, because I, too, at some point in time, even with the most earnest of intentions will be culpable.

5. When it comes to being a woman, what do you feel should be the three core values that a lady should uphold? Firstly, “Ubuntu” means humanity towards others, so let’s aim to live with integrity, keeping this in mind and close to heart. Secondly, REAL self-love because when your spirit is truly full, you don’t come to any relationship/ friendship dependent upon the other person to feed your soul, and finally, service- the world is bigger than each of us, so aim to use your gifts and talents to uplift others. We all have something uniquely significant to offer.

As an intersectional activist myself, these two women (Dr. Angela Davis and Janet Mock) were critically significant in the discussions that needed to happen on our campus. As Mahatma Ghandi says, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world."