Renita Wade was raised an art lover in right here in Middle Tennessee. She has been a graphic designer for over 30 years and still has her own design consulting business. Throughout her career she worked with business as a senior graphic designer in publishing and in web design. She has over 9 years of experience teaching graphic design courses in BFA programs. Including at the Art Institute of Washington DC, Southern New Hampshire
University, at her Alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University and now Cumberland University.

She has an MA in New Media Design from Savannah College of art and Design and a BS in Mass Communications with the emphasis in Art and Advertising from MTSU. She loves to travel, and she has lived and worked in several amazing cities in the US. After covid-19 kept her from traveling to see her family who lives in the Middle Tennessee area, she decided to move back home to focus on being creative. Drawing, painting, creating, and
gardening.

Renita lives in Murfreesboro near her family in a 45-year-old ranch style home with her dog.

Carlita Harrington will be in her first year at Cumberland University in the fall of 2024. She’ll be teaching General Psychology and Human Growth & Development. She is a Florida native who’s a master’s level Clinical Mental health counselor specializing in Military Families & Culture. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from Tennessee State University and served in the United States Navy for eight years. Carlita takes a Rogerian approach to counseling also known as person-centered, which is rooted in “helping people find their own best way”. Carlita looks forward to being an agent of change through advocacy and education.

Dr. Raquel Alvarez has more than 10 years of experience in Mexico as a lead teacher for children between the ages of six and twelve. She attended the “Universidad Bancaria de Mexico” (2007-2012) and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogy. To further enrich her education skills and knowledge she obtained a Master in Education degree at the “Universidad Interamericana para el Desarrollo” (2012-2014). Continuing studies resulted on obtaining in a Doctor in Education (2019-2021) at the “Centro Universitario Tzompanco Tepeyac”. All degrees were obtained from Mexican universities. In addition, however, U.S. Equivalent Summary Certifications of these studies were earned through the ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) Institution. In 2023, a score of “outstanding” was achieved on the ETS Praxis Spanish World Language Test (5195). Dr. Alvarez demonstrates a strong vocation and enthusiasm for her profession. She enjoys contributing ideas and collaborating with her team, as well as developing strategies that enhance her student’s learning. She is currently taking English classes to refine her communication and comprehension skills in the language. A native of Mexico, she has lived the past two years in Lebanon T.N. Her passion for teaching has led her to seek the opportunity to practice teaching Spanish in this country. Outside her work she enjoys spending time with her two sons and parents. She is fond of nature, watching and playing volleyball, finding good friendships and enjoying her spiritual pursuits.

Daniel Abbott is an author, speaker, and educator from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the co-author of Wounds, a collaborative memoir written with Razel Jones, about the triumphs and the pains experienced on their collective journey toward cross-cultural navigation.

Daniel has a BA in Writing from Grand Valley State University and an MFA in Fiction from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. His work has appeared in Lit Hub, the Noctua Review, the Ginosko Literary journal, and the Owen Wister Review.

He is currently working on a project called Dancing Skeletons, an epic community saga set in his hometown of Grand Rapids.

Daniel lives and writes in Smyrna, Tennessee.