Staff

Dr. Christine James

Coordinator of Women and Gender Studies

Professor, Philosophy and Religious Studies

chjames@valdosta.edu

 229-249-4842

Charity Lumpkin

Administrative Assistant

cjlumpkin@valdosta.edu

229-249-4842

Office: Nevins Hall Room 1107

Dr. Felicia Hilson

Adjunct Professor

fahilson@valdosta.edu

229-249-4842

Kendrick G. Dyer M.S.W

Adjunct Professor

kgdyer@valdosta.edu

229-249-4842

Kendrick Dyer received his undergraduate degree in Sociology with minors in African American Studies and Spanish from Valdosta State University. Then, he obtained his Master of Social Work from Valdosta State University. Mr. Dyer has been an adjunct professor within the African American Studies program since 2008 and an adjunct professor with the Master of Social Work program since 2012. He is also a Licensed Minister and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Georgia.

LaShayla Dyer M.S.W

Adjunct Professor

lsdyer@valdosta.edu

229-249-4842

LaShayla Dyer is a native of Albany, GA. She received her Master of Social Work degree from Valdosta State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 21 years of social work experience to include Case Management, Child Welfare, Child Welfare Policy, Foster Care, Children and Family Services, Juvenile Justice, Medical Social Work, Hospice and Palliative Care, Private Practice, Special Needs Coordination and Clinical Social Work in the Military setting.

Professor Dyer is married with two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, writing, and traveling. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in theology.

Adeerya Johnson M.A.

Adjunct Professor

adejohnson@valdosta.edu

229-249-4842

Adeerya Johnson is from Atlanta, Ga. She received a bachelor’s in Psychology from Spelman College and a masters in African American Studies at Georgia State University. She is currently a Ph.D. student at the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice at the University of British Columbia. 

Adeerya’s research interests include hip-hop feminism, southern hip-hop cultures, Black popular culture, critical race theory, and gentrification. 

Her current research aims to offer contemporary perspectives of hip-hop feminism located in the south by exploring Black women’s identity and the politics of southern hip-hop dance in the American south through “Dirty South Feminism”. The theoretical work of Dirty South Feminism explores various forms of representation of Black women and girls from the south who are invested in southern hip-hop culture through a sociocultural lens that can be contributed to nuanced perceptions and performances of Black sexuality, identity, Black girl play and dance.

Dr. A. J. Ramirez

Lecturer of Sociology

ajramirez@valdosta.edu

229-333-5493

Nevins Hall 1021

Dr. Ramirez’s academic interest include sexism, gender discrimination, racism, LGBT issues, education reform by incorporating systemic approaches, and the sociology of education.  She teaches Race, Class, & Gender, Introduction to Social Problems, Introduction to Sociology, Medical Sociology, Global Feminism, Queer Theory, Feminist Theory, and LGBT Studies. Dr. Ramirez earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of North Georgia, her Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Sociology from Valdosta State University. Her current scholastic focus looks at sexual assaults on college campuses and the implementation of feminist theory to facilitate a meaningful change in University system structure. Dr. Ramirez also practices as a Professional Counselor in Valdosta, Georgia. 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers