Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Herd.
Hi Tim, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A lot of the work that I currently find myself within follows the mantra of attempting to be the change that I want to see. I am currently pursuing my PhD in Higher Education & Organizational Change at UCLA while also engaging in work as a creative consultant. During my undergraduate studies at Michigan State University (MSU), I fell in love with research and community-oriented work, which has been at the crux of the research & consulting that I currently conduct. My research centers largely around the topic of higher education governance and student success, so examining the ways in which boards develop policies and the implications that this work has on the academic and social success of their Black male students in particular. My creative consulting work varies, as I have had the opportunity to work with a plethora of universities and organizations oriented towards serving others via various mediums, from program development to evaluation.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Anything worthwhile will find itself to be challenging, but when you feel that you are walking in your purpose then you understand that it is just a part of the process. As a researcher amongst other positions, one of the challenges is translating the needs of the community within the academy in a way that does not dilute the thoughts and concerns of the community. Wrestling with this idea of being a part of the institution while simultaneously critiquing some aspects of the institution for the improvement of student outcomes has also been an active challenge. It is during these moments of conflict I refer to James Baldwin quote in which he said, “I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually”.
As a consultant, one of the biggest challenges for me has been attempting to evaluate and suggest policies that create transformative change and are not just performative or symbolic gestures in action.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a researcher, I specialize in work around governance, culture, and student success broadly. As a creative consultant, I specialize in work around program development, evaluation, and facilitation.
One thing that I am most proud of is creating my mentorship organization during my undergraduate studies at MSU, titled Rising Black Men, which is a pipeline of support from MSU to the Greater Lansing Community. I created this organization because I wanted to create another space where Black men felt a greater sense of belonging and community in a space that could be overwhelming for a myriad of reasons.
The thing that sets me apart from others is that I find my ability to adapt, create, and unite. I feel that I can adapt to almost any environment that I find myself within and also find common similarities in order to bring people together to achieve a common goal for the betterment of others.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up I always found myself being the person to encourage others and attempting to lead more so by example. I also found myself sharing in a lot of laughter and joy, especially before the age of 12. During my teenage years, I had difficulties finding my footing and coming into myself as I moved to another city, but I eventually used those difficult situations to propel me into the work that I currently do now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.timjherd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timjherd/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-herd-m-a-m-s-ed-32527a11a/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/timjherd
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@timjherd?lang=en
