Helper. Advocate. Values-Driven.

  • My desire to help people

    stems from watching my Jamaican parents give their time, talents, and treasures to help family, fellow compatriots and neighbors, and work in the human services field.

  • My passion to be an advocate

    stems from my faith in Christ and desire to see the Gospel impact how we treat one another and pursue justice.

  • My values of faith and responsibility

    lead me to have an impact in my community.

Dedicated. Committed. Educator. 

Dr. Shelvia English is a non-profit leader, higher education professional, consultant, and professional coach. Her 10+ year career in higher education, from student affairs to academia and now non-profit associations, has centered on improving student success and educational environments. Dr. English is also the founder of Sterling-English Consulting & Coaching, LLC where she partners with graduate students, professionals in career transition, and organizations to identify challenges, get unstuck, and develop actionable strategies toward achieving their goals.

Shelvia’s research agenda centers on identity and equity related to Black immigrants in higher education and graduate students of color and improving oral health educational environments. She is published in: 

  • American Journal of Education

  • Journal of Negro Education

  • Journal of Multicultural Education

  • Journal of Diversity in Higher Education

  • Journal of Dental Education

  • Journal of the American College of Dentists

 

Shelvia has presented at national higher education conferences such as: 

  • Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) 

  • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)

  • American College Personnel Association-College Student Educators International (ACPA)

Dr. Shelvia English obtained her Bachelor of Science in human development from Wheelock College, her Master of Education degree in higher education administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and her Ph.D. in higher education, student affairs, and international education policy, from the University of Maryland, College Park. She also earned a certificate in Personal Development Coaching from the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute (CaPP).

In her spare time, she loves traveling, sipping tea and lattes, taking naps, reading, watching movies, game nights, spending time with family and friends, and serving in her local church.