Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Genea Shoulders.
Hi Dr. Genea, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey began over 12 years ago when I first entered undergraduate school, knowing I wanted to pursue a career in Criminal Justice and help others. Early on, I faced a setback after failing a Criminal Justice course and being called into my faculty advisor’s office. I told her, “Don’t worry—I’ll improve, and one day I’ll be sitting where you are.” In that moment, I realized my true calling was not only to work in the field, but to educate and inspire the next generation of Criminal Justice professionals.
Fast forward to August 2020, while defending my dissertation, I was working in retail when I was laid off due to COVID-19. After more than a year of searching for stable employment, I began substitute teaching at local K–12 charter schools in July 2021, eventually transitioning into a full-time role for the following school years.
In August 2023, I received a call from the Associate Professor of Sociology at Texas Wesleyan University inviting me to teach a morning Introduction to Criminal Justice course. I accepted and began balancing my work in charter schools with my role as an adjunct instructor. Later, I was offered a full-time position as a Site Director for a local gang intervention program, further deepening my real-world experience in the field.
In June 2025, I received another call from the same Associate Professor, this time offering me a full-time position at the university. Without hesitation, I said yes—this was the goal I had been working toward since that pivotal conversation with my faculty advisor years earlier.
Today, I am committed to making a meaningful impact by equipping future Criminal Justice professionals with practical, hands-on experiences that prepare them for the realities of the field.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The path to my current role has been far from smooth. While completing and ultimately defending my dissertation in August 2020, I was laid off due to COVID-19. In the midst of that uncertainty, I successfully defended my dissertation and officially became Dr. Genea Shoulders on August 16, 2020.
At the time, I believed that earning my doctorate would naturally open doors to a teaching career in higher education. However, I quickly realized that breaking into academia was more challenging than expected, as I lacked formal college-level teaching experience beyond developing hybrid and online courses.
Like many others facing setbacks, I found myself in a difficult mental space, questioning my worth and whether I was truly good enough for an Assistant Professor position. Through therapy and deepening my faith by studying the Bible, I was able to navigate those challenges. Instead of focusing on what I lacked, I began to embrace what I could offer—my authentic self—and recognized the value of my unique experiences and perspective.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Texas Wesleyan University, where I specialize in juvenile delinquency prevention, intervention strategies, and early intervention. I am known for incorporating a variety of teaching styles that create a fun, engaging, and hands-on learning environment, encouraging students to actively collaborate and learn from one another.
One of my greatest sources of pride is watching my students grow from the beginning to the end of each semester. I am especially proud of those who have continued learning with me since August 2023, allowing me to witness their long-term development both academically and personally.
What sets me apart is my high energy and genuine passion for the work I do. I deeply care about my students’ success—not just during the semester, but well beyond graduation. By bringing my authentic self into the classroom each day, I create a space where students feel comfortable, connected, and motivated to fully engage in discussions and their overall learning experience.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
“You are only limited by the boundaries you place on yourself. “
I wish I had realized sooner that my focus should have been on what I could offer an organization, rather than what I lacked. Embracing this perspective has allowed me to fully step into my authentic self in the classroom and let go of the habit of comparing myself to others.
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