Who is Rickey?
Dr. Rickey Frierson has spent the last 13 years presenting internationally and domestically on issues of social justice, diversity and inclusion, and underrepresented student success within higher education. Frierson is an inspirational speaker for high schools, colleges, and community organizations. Frierson is the director of diversity and inclusion for Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. His research interest centers on institutional accountability and effectiveness in student success and completion at predominantly white public institutions. More succinctly, Frierson takes pride in assisting administrators, superintendents, principals, professors, teachers, counselors, and institutions in examining proactive strategies to create efficient and fruitful educational experiences for their diverse students, staff, and faculty. Frierson has published articles, submitted book reviews, and has written book contributions that all stem from efficiencies of education.
Frierson says, “I subscribe to the belief that every individual and organization can be successful when an inclusive vision, a common goal, and a united purpose is established. Because of this, I have dedicated my professional and academic studies to assist and train education leaders and institutions in examining proactive strategies to create efficient and fruitful educational experiences for their diverse students, staff, and faculty.”
Frierson has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Houston, a Master’s in Organization Development from Friends University, and a B.S. in Business Management with a minor in leadership studies and programs from Kansas State University. He also holds a civic leadership development certificate from the Kansas Leadership Center and a diversity certification from Sedgwick County Social Services.
Rickey’s credentials
Degrees
- Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Houston – Main Campus
- Master of Science in Organization Development, Friends University
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Kansas State University
Work History
- Qualitative research associate
- Inclusion and diversity chair
- Multicultural recruiter
- Associate consultant
- Independent living director
Topical listing of recent publications/presentations
- Diversity Integration: The Effective Strategy to Enhance Students’ Academic Success in Higher Education
- Stereoscopic Education
- Chief Diversity Officers’ Impact on Diversity and Inclusion at Community Colleges
- Principal Retention: An Analysis of Retention in the 2010 Principal Cohort
- Understanding Culture Studies Centers and Their Role in the Improvement of Diversity in American Education
- The Role of Researcher’s Program Discipline and Communicative Style in Designing a Successful Focus Group Interview: A Case Study
- Creating Sustainable Engagements: Lessons Learned While Consulting in Ghana. Organization Development Journal, 34(2), 45.
Rickey’s aha! moment
In 2008, as a young social worker, I was introduced to a training titled Bridges Out of Poverty. It was a very impactful and enlightening training. I believe that it aligned the mentality of many of our clientele with their socioeconomic status concomitantly explaining why sometimes “we” as workers do not fully understand our clients’ actions and behaviors. This training reinforced in me the power of my own philosophy of “Leadership of Self”—a personal belief that anyone can change the current status when they have vision, purpose, goals, and most important, a champion that believes in them.
Rickey’s passions?
I subscribe to the belief that every individual and organization can be successful when an inclusive vision, a common goal, and a united purpose are established. Because of this, I have dedicated my professional and academic studies to assist and train education leaders and institutions in examining proactive strategies to create efficient and fruitful educational experiences for their diverse students, staff, and faculty. My current research is to understand institutional factors that contribute to higher graduation rates among African-American males attending predominately white institutions of higher education.
Rickey’s best training
My activities are geared toward involving the participants’ experiences to create authentic and organic dialogue and show them how to relate to and understand individuals different than themselves.
What does Rickey do for fun?
I love to work out and play sports. I spend time with my children at parks, museums, and other family activities. If it was possible, I would travel more frequently internationally; I love experiencing new cultures and learning new languages.