2023 WOCED Keynote Speaker – Sislena Grocer Ledbetter, PhD
Sislena Grocer Ledbetter, Ph.D., is a social psychologist, researcher, lecturer, author, and life coach. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Carolina Central University and her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in psychology from Howard University. Her post-graduate studies include educational leadership training at Georgetown University Graduate School of Professional Studies and Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She has received several fellowships and internships, including an internship during the Clinton administration. Dr. Ledbetter has held many higher education leadership roles, including Assistant Professor of Psychology, Executive Director of Counseling, Health and Wellness, Director of Counseling and Student Development, and Associate Vice President of Student Development. She’s written and attracted millions of dollars in grant funds for behavioral health issues addressing HIV-AIDS, substance abuse, suicide prevention, and domestic violence. As the Associate Vice President of Counseling, Health, and Wellbeing at Western Washington, she led the institutional adoption of the Okanagan Charter. For almost 10 years, she was the host of the DC Cable Television program “A Healthy Mind,” where she interviewed guests on wellbeing and mental health topics. Her research interests include exploring wellbeing, power, and leadership for women of color at home and in the workplace and exploring factors that enhance healthy intimate relationships in the Black community.