FIVE MINUTES WITH…
DR. ALISHA MALLOY ’90
Dr. Alisha Malloy ’90 was named the sixth academic dean of the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Newport, RI, in February. Malloy’s term at NAPS will begin this month. She joins NAPS after serving as an associate professor of computer information systems at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Malloy, who earned a master of science in engineering management from Old Dominion University, is an advocate for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. She earned her doctorate in computer information systems from Georgia State University. Malloy recently shared her story with Shipmate. Shipmate: How early did you know you wanted a career in education and what prompted you to teach a class at your high school? Dr. Malloy: I did not want to be a teacher when I was growing up. I wanted to be an engineer and there were few women engineers when I was growing up. I took a computer programming class in high school and fell in love with technology. I taught a computer programming class during high school because of the love and power I had to create and innovate. I’ve been teaching most of my life in many ways, even during the time I was at the Academy when I would hold study sessions for classes I was not even taking. I did not answer the call to become an educator until 1997. There were a series of “why” questions that lead me to answering the call: • To my boss at Sprint, I asked: Why was I often the only minority in the department? • To the academia, I asked: Why were the number of minorities being recruited, retained, promoted and leading in STEM and business industries not increasing, but, in some cases, decreasing? • To minorities, I asked: Why are so few minority students choosing to major in STEM and business majors? • To myself, I asked: Was I going to continue to talk about the issue or become part of the solution? I accepted the challenge and began my quest to get a Ph.D. so that I could make an impact in the classroom and the K-12 pipeline. I was blessed to read an article in Black Enterprise that talked about the PhD Project. The PhD Project was founded in 1994 with the goal of diversifying corporate America by diversifying the role models in the front of classrooms. I’ve been “all in” ever since. Shipmate: What attracted you to the Naval Academy as a high school student? Dr. Malloy: I learned of the Naval Academy during a military recruitment presentation during the fall of my senior year. The enlisted
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recruiter said something like, ‘Join the Navy and see the world.’ I asked him if there were other options besides enlisting and then he told me about the military academies. He also warned me that people typically started the process much earlier, typically in their sophomore year. I believed I was up for the challenge, so I started the application process and soon realized it was more in-depth than anything I had submitted before. I did not know what to expect to be totally transparent; all I knew was that I would be joining the Navy and going to school for my undergraduate degree. I was initially overwhelmed the first time someone called me a plebe and asked me why I wasn’t chopping. I adjusted and found a village that supported me and ensured I made it through the Academy. There’s a lot of stories I could share but this section is called Five Minutes With… Shipmate: You are a STEM education advocate, why is that so important, particularly for future Navy and Marine Corps officers? Dr. Malloy: I’m a STEM education advocate because science, technology, engineering and mathematics are seamlessly embedded in everything we do. STEM teaches us teamwork, problem-solving, creativity, innovation, critical-thinking, communication and the list goes on. Because of the skills and mindset taught in STEM, it is critical for everyone, especially future Navy and Marine Corps officers. STEM allows us to be creators and innovators, not solely users. It promotes putting theory into practice to solve real-world problems. We are only as strong as our weakest link. Shipmate: How did your time at the Naval Academy prepare you for your new role at NAPS? Dr. Malloy: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” —Luke 12:48b “Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.” —Zig Ziglar I’m a first-generation college graduate. Becoming the Academic Dean of NAPS was not on my radar, vision board nor my five-year plan. Life has taught me how to serve and lead with empathy and grace. The Naval Academy reinforced discipline, duty, honor, perseverance and fortitude. All these things were built on the foundation of my faith and the love of my family. I remember feeling underprepared because I was a direct admit to the Naval Academy. I went through the Academy with a plethora of sisters and brothers who were NAPSters and I learned a lot from their experiences. I believe that these experiences coupled with my work in higher education afford me a unique opportunity to make an impact at NAPS. I’ve been through what the midshipmen candidates are preparing for. ®
PHOTO COURTESY OF USNA
This feature spotlights the extraordinary accomplishments of alumni in the Navy and Marine Corps and their unique, impactful achievements in the private sector and in their communities. Please send suggestions to jimmy.debutts@usna.com
