Cierra Waller is the Associate Director for Western Kentucky University, and she is a Bowling Green Independent School Board member. She believes every student deserves an equal opportunity to receive a quality education and is committed to advocating for policies that support student success. “I am dedicated to serving the community by bringing positive change to the education system. I strive to support every child receiving a high-quality education in a safe and welcoming space, to advocate for our teachers and staff, to value family and community involvement, and to promote innovative programs to prepare our students for future success,” Cierra says.
Cierra aspires to be a leader in education, which is why she is constantly learning and growing in her understanding of the field. She is passionate about education and considers herself an innovative thinker who is always looking for new ways to improve education.
Her greatest influence has been her family. “I come from a lineage that has instilled in me the value of education and service. This value runs deep in my family, beginning with my great-great-great-great grandfather Austin Cosby, who donated land to establish the African American "Colored" Cosby School near Alvaton, Kentucky. My great-grandfather, James Cosby, Sr., was the custodian at Parker Bennett Elementary School for 28 years. His teachings instilled in us the family values of education and service to our community. His service to the Bowling Green Independent School District was passed down to my grandfather, James Cosby, Jr., who was the custodian at McNeill Elementary School and worked in the kitchen at Western Kentucky University when he was unable to attend himself. My mother, Janet Cosby Waller, was the first of his children to receive a degree from WKU, along with five of his grandchildren.
My great-grandmother, Mary Watson, received degrees from Kentucky State University and Tennessee State University and was one of the first special education teachers in Kentucky, serving for 44 years. All of them were active servants in education and in their community, blazing a path for others and for me to follow. It is my honor to continue their legacy in my own way, and it is my hope to blaze a trail for the amazing generations after me to run and soar to even greater heights,” she added.
Cierrra feels her greatest accomplishment to date has been being a mom. “My son has motivated and inspired me in so many ways to keep going, strive for excellence, and live a life of purpose. He’s the driving force behind all that I do,” Cierra said.
In her position at WKU, The Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA and The Suder Foundation, recently announced Western Kentucky University as one of 76 new members of the First Scholars Network for 2023-24. To be selected as a First Scholars Network member, WKU displayed a demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students. Cierra added, “My recent accomplishments include:
Honored during the 26th Annual Trailblazers Black History Month program with the Innovative Teaching and Learning award
Appointed to the Bowling Green Independent Board of Education (the 3rd African American to serve)
Installed as a Board Member of the WKU Alumni Association National Board of Directors, 2022
WKU President's Award for Outstanding Staff Advisement, 2017
WKU Staff Star Award, 2021
Recipient of the 2023 Trailblazers award
Program Recognitions:
First program in Kentucky to receive Cultural Competence Credential through the Council on Post-secondary Education for our One WKU Inclusive Teaching Academy, 2022
SEAHO (Southeastern Association of Housing Officers) Academic Collaboration award for Living Learning Communities, 2022
ACPA–College Student Educators International 2023 Collaborative Excellence Award for Living Learning Communities.”
Cierra stated that the greatest lesson she has been taught, and the most meaningful advice she has received, is to seek first to understand, then to be understood. “In my work, I have had the honor of helping to build programs from the ground up. This takes a great deal of research, establishing partnerships, and trial and error. Oftentimes, I had to do that work while grieving. I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer in December 2015 after a two-year battle, and I lost my father to lung cancer in January 2021 after a three-year battle. My brothers and I were their caregivers during both of their battles.
Working while being a caregiver and a mother taught me resilience, but also the importance of patience, grace, and kindness. My team and work environment supported me through some of the toughest of times. This has helped me to understand that the most important thing in any relationship is to be able to understand each other. This is especially true in the workplace, where we are often working with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. When we take the time to truly understand each other, we can build stronger relationships and create more productive work.
When we are patient, we are able to accept things that we cannot change. When we are graceful, we are able to forgive ourselves and others for our mistakes. And when we are kind, we are able to show compassion and understanding to those around us. I strive to embody these qualities in my work and in my personal life. I hope that by doing so, I can make a positive impact on the lives of those around me.”
Cierra is currently running for the Bowling Green Independent Board of Education in this upcoming November election. She was appointed to the board in January 2023, and is running to finish out the term. Next November, she will run again for a full term.
“At WKU, we are currently preparing for our First Generation College Student celebration week in honor of National First Generation Day on November 8th. We will start the week with a social media campaign to collect students' stories for our Instagram account. On Tuesday, we will host our inaugural Alumni-in-Residence day in partnership with our Alumni Association. A first-generation alum from each academic college will spend the day on campus and finish out the day with a Master Class for first-generation students. Our celebration will conclude with a Desserts & Degrees celebration on Wednesday followed by First Gen pride days during our WKU Homecoming week.
Finally, as a Board member on our WKU Alumni National Alumni Association Board of Directors, we have reimagined our Hall of Distinguished Alumni ceremony to now be our Hilltopper Excellence Awards to include more recognitions. November will be a busy and exciting month for me!”
Cierra’s goals moving forward are to continue to learn and find innovative ways to enhance the programs that she works with.”I hope to have the honor to continue championing student success and serving our community as a BG City Schools Board Member.”
Something most people do not know about Cierra is that she collects Holiday Barbies! “I have all the Holiday Barbies from 1990 to present! All unopened in their original packaging. Barbie always made me feel like I could be and do anything,” she added.
Cierra’s most memorable vacation was to Disney World. Disney was her mother's favorite place in the world, and their family began taking annual reunion trips there in 2003. “We would travel down to Florida in a charter bus with about 50 people, and those trips were always the best. My grandparents, parents, great aunts, and all of my cousins would spend twelve hours together on the bus, and it was always interesting and fun. As a family, we always made sure to see the Fantasmic show together. My most memorable trip was the first time I took my son, and it was also one of the last times I went with my mother before she passed away in 2015. We knew that it would be her last trip, so our family pulled together to make it the most special one possible. Even though she was battling pancreatic cancer, she walked the entire park that week, and we had the best time eating, celebrating with family, and enjoying the magic of Disney. Disney will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Cierra’s favorite pastimes are crafting and creating. “Canva and my Cricut are my go-to tools for crafting. I also enjoy running and walking outdoors for recreation and to clear my mind. To unwind, I like to relax and watch a show with my son. We also enjoy D.E.A.R. time, which stands for "Drop Everything and Read." We love going to Barnes & Noble to pick out new books and finding different spots around town to read in peace.” Cierra is currently reading Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. “I love binge watching Netflix shows to unwind. Some of my favorites: Suits, Sweet Magnolias, Queen Charlotte, and Lupin. Anything Disney or Marvel with my son. We are currently into Loki, Spy Kids, and One Piece,” she added.
The top of Cierra’s bucket list is to buy an RV and spend time traveling to scenic places of natural beauty to explore.
Cierra can be reached via:
Campaign website: www.waller4bg.com ; https://www.facebook.com/waller4bg ;
Comments