Dr. Tara Reed is the Founder and CEO of Next Level Consulting and is a Professor of Speech Communication in the Department of Language Arts and Distant Learning Division at Tarrant County College. Reed has consulted with local, regional, and international nonprofit organizations for more than 20 years. As an independent consultant, Reed specializes in public relations consulting, event planning, and grant writing. In addition, Reed conducts professional trainings, including diversity, inclusion, and equity trainings. Finally, Reed is a motivational speaker whose work addresses how to achieve goals, how to normalize self-care and mental well-being, and effective communication strategies and most recently founded the #ONEPEARLMOVEMENT.
1. Your career as an educator has been primarily at a community college. How do the needs of community college students differ from those of students at four-year universities?
The diverse population of community college students inherently creates needs that are different from those of students attending four-year universities. For example, students that attend community college have a higher propensity for being “nontraditional,” as defined by their enrollment patterns, financial and family status, and high school graduation status.
My research has found that motivational forces, such as support from family and friends and caring teachers and campus counselors, play an important role in keeping nontraditional students enrolled in community college and reducing barriers for success. Without some form of motivation, students interviewed in my research believed dropping out would be simple to do. Having positive self-motivation, receiving help on and off campus, being able to manage finances, and decreasing stress can all counteract lack of support from academic advisors, uncaring instructors, lack of time, feeling too old for community college, and feeling the pressure of running out of time to complete their educational goals.
Because community colleges have open-door policies and offer night, weekend, hybrid, blended, and online courses, community college students are provided with a variety of ways to meet their goals. For example, commuter students at community colleges may have transportation needs that differ from those of students attending four-year universities and living on campus. Commuter students may find it challenging when faced with unreliable transportation, such as having to share the household car with family members, using city transportation, finding a campus with a bus stop, or covering the added expense of ride shares to and from campus. Community colleges are combating those issues by providing students with bus passes and by providing a variety of course schedules throughout the day, weekend, and online.
Compared with four-year university students, community college students may need more incentives and motivation to get involved in on-campus activities. Both types of institutions may provide student organizations, athletics, and student events; however, getting community college students to be involved takes more work. Community college students often come to campus with the sole focus of completing their degree. Being active and socializing ranks low on their list of priorities. Community college students may also find it difficult to participate in on-campus activities because of their work, home, and life schedules. However, socializing, joining organizations, and utilizing campus facilities are important parts of any student’s academic experience.
In 2002, when I was seeking an academic appointment, I purposely sought out a position at the local community college located in my childhood neighborhood. Ultimately, I came full circle from student to faculty. I was able to take dual enrollment courses, and as an undergrad, I returned home and took summer courses at the local community college. Teaching students from my community, in the same classroom where I learned, is powerful. Representation matters to community college students. Representation in student-to-faculty ratio continues to be needed.
2. You’ve taught both online and offline. How have you adapted your Business and Professional Communication courses to the online environment?
I began teaching online courses in 2005. What has consistently helped my online Business and Professional Communication students is to use sample student speech videos. These YouTube videos offer students a realistic look at speeches given in previous courses, so that students can better understand what will be required during their presentation.
After working on their outlines and speeches, my students are then required to record themselves. One challenge for students is resisting the urge to edit their own video by splicing the best parts together. Finding a quiet location for videoing can be a challenge as well. Students may also struggle with how to incorporate a visual aid, such as a graph or chart, into their presentations. Some online faculty opt for delivering speech presentations in person, while teaching the rest of the course online. I have been able to successfully be 100 percent online by providing virtual methods that students can use to record speech presentations on their phone or laptops and post them to YouTube or other social platforms. I have also used GoReact, Blackboard, and Canva for presentations. Being able to capture student presentations, provide comments in real-time, and provide a platform for classmates to view presentations and make comments are all necessary for the online environment.
Mock interviews could present challenges in the online environment. In an in-person class, these interviews are in-class partner presentations, allowing me to provide immediate corrections and feedback when needed. Feedback is typically needed for in-person students because of their lack of interviewing experience. In contrast, providing immediate corrections and feedback for online mock interviews can distract students during their interview process due to the lack of nonverbal feedback. However, I’ve found that online students come with more interview experience, making traditional mock interview formats less necessary and creating opportunities for group interviews and discussions about previous interview experiences.
For both online and offline courses, I provide folders that include examples of speech outlines, sample visual aids, do’s and don’ts of presenting, and sample resumes, cover letters, and interview questions. These folders are supplemental material that can be paired with your syllabus, textbook, or online educational modules.
Tests and quizzes have become easier to administer online. Some instructors still utilize scantron testing, and still others use hard copy tests that need to be hand graded, even in business and professional speech courses. My teaching load may include teaching both online and offline Business and Professional Communication courses in the same semester; therefore, providing tests online only has proven beneficial and effective for students and me.
The increase in social media platforms such as blogs, podcasts, and TED Talks has really broadened the options for online course content and created opportunities to connect virtually with students. These platforms are an excellent way for Business and Professional Communication students to hear real-life stories and experiences told by people who are in the field doing the work.
Finally, being interactive, engaging, providing an easy-to-follow structure, and being available for students, whether by email, zoom, chat, or phone, are still the best tactics when teaching online. These strategies have helped me successfully transition courses from offline to online.
3. Why did you establish Next Level Consulting in 1999?
I was introduced to entrepreneurship very early in life before deciding to start Next level Consulting in 1999. My stepfather provided my first opportunity to see entrepreneurship behind the scenes. I pursued every opportunity I could by taking Marketing, Management, and Communication courses as an undergrad to help my family’s business back home. In addition, I leveraged my skills in promotion and what is now called “content creation” to develop event flyers for campus organizations. While working on my Communication Studies M.A. at Baylor University, I took a special studies course to further my experience in radio and television. I ended up staying in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for several years, working as a producer, on-air talent, and in the marketing department of what was then called the V-100 radio station, before I went back to complete my M.A. I made the decision to take the big leap into entrepreneurship and was inspired to establish Next Level Consulting in July 1999 to support organizations with small or no marketing departments.
In December 2002, I completed my M.A. In January 2003, I was hired as an adjunct Speech Instructor at Tarrant County College. Teaching Business and Professional Communication courses afforded me the opportunity to speak about real life and real-time experiences with which the students could connect. Being in the classroom was an avenue for me to give back to my community. Teaching provided me an opportunity to grow my presentation skills as well. What I thought would be part-time teaching became full-time teaching. Like many entrepreneurs, I have managed to work full time and still run a business, but it has not been without challenges and struggles. The upside, I am proud to say, is that the decision to grow my presentation skills to better serve my clients through teaching gave me the opportunity to become a Tenured-Full Professor of Speech Communication and obtain my Ph.D. in Education in 2013. Over the years, I have been fortunate to receive numerous awards and accolades, expand my global reach, serve my community, and serve in numerous leadership roles; however, the best reward is discussing real-life experiences that rely on effective business and professional communication skills with students.
Since 1999, Next Level Consulting has worked to empower organizations, nonprofits, start-ups, and people that are ready to change directions, multiply their success, and renew their commitment to reaching their ultimate goals by providing consulting and coaching. With the recent addition of Gloria Reed Austin as Senior Consultant, Next Level Consulting is now a full-service consulting firm. We are a mother-daughter duo providing services in Marketing and Public Relations, Communication, Nonprofit Organization, Philanthropy, Education, and the Power of One Coaching. Her addition has also allowed me to venture into other areas with public speaking, Power of One Trainings, and the #ONEPEARLMOVEMENT. I’m proud to come from a family of entrepreneurs, educators, and trailblazers!
4. For more than 20 years, you’ve consulted on numerous projects. What are some highlights of your work during that time?
My journey started in 1999, when I jumped feet first into becoming an entrepreneur. One of my first clients was the National Cowboys of Color Museum (renamed the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum in 2008). Museum Co-Founders Jim and Gloria Austin (who are also my parents) entrusted Next Level Consulting with creating marketing plans, a documentary about Cowboys of Color, and the Cowboys and Cowgirls in Action Calendar Series. You might think working for family would be one of the easiest ways to call yourself an entrepreneur. My parents truly treated my company like a company. From putting in bids to working on their projects, to working around the clock to meet the deadlines I promised, to coming up with my own funding before a check was ever written, I put in the work!
I also consulted on marketing for the Cowboys of Color Rodeo Tour. The tour took us from Oklahoma to Texas to Louisiana. Now, remember that in the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was very little social media, and Google hadn’t taken off yet. Flyers, billboards, and radio commercials were the major avenues for marketing. Microsoft Publisher was the go-to software. My business was able to grow to meet my clients’ changing needs, utilizing new tools and resources as they emerged. Thinking back, it wasn’t too long after I founded Next Level Consulting that the world of marketing began to really take off. Early on, I found my niche went beyond being behind the computer creating marketing materials. I was thrust into the spotlight and became a spokesperson. At that point, “representative” was added to the options Next Level Consulting could provide its clients. I became the first spokesperson for Cowboys of Color Rodeo and probably the only woman of color to interview rodeo contestants after they won their events. The Cowboys of Color Rodeo continues today, with plans for more adventures ahead.
In 2021, I had the opportunity to be a part of two different panels. BlackDoctor.org and Junior League Fort Worth both asked me to speak about the importance of emotional intelligence. These events further broadened my audience and tied together my love for motivation, communication, and education; hence, leading me to become Dr. Tara Reed, the Motivator. Communicator. Educator.
5. You’re also a motivational speaker. Do you find that the need for your work has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
While being quarantined in my home, watching the world being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt like I needed to do more. The year 2020 began to resemble movements that were said to be in the past, intensifying political division, widening economic inequality, and bringing mental health to the forefront. As a motivational speaker who utilizes the power of communication, I saw a need for empathy, transparency, and healing. In late 2020, I created www.onepearlmovement.com with a vision to ignite a movement that could de-stigmatize self-care and well-being for all people through open conversations, safe spaces, resources, and advocacy. I created the hashtag #ONEPEARLMOVEMENT to educate, elevate, and encourage self-care, well-being, and belonging in communities by providing tools that manifest healthy narratives. There are seven pillars that come together to spell the words ONE P.E.A.R.L. MOVEMENT.
One means to be first, start something new, kick off a new beginning.
Purposed means to be intentional, focused, and goal oriented.
Empowered means to be supported, confident, having knowledge and ability to do things or make decisions for oneself.
Ambitious means to be determined to succeed, focusing on going for whatever you desire to achieve.
Resilient means to be aware, having the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
Leader means to be compassionate, humble, fearless, brave, and willing to commit to yourself.
Movement means to create momentum toward action.
I believe that the COVID-19 pandemic uncovered intentional and unintentional “truths” we are now forced to face. The pandemic experience has been different for many people. However, the common threads include lack of empathy, selfish behaviors, death, greed, and division. Those words don’t exactly paint a positive experience. Because of the experiences I felt and witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, my motivational speaking shifted to embrace discussing boundaries, self-care, belonging, emotional intelligence, and power skills (soft skills).
Motivating others to live their best lives resonates in all that I am and all that I do. Whether it is in the classroom, presenting to a group, working one on one, or posting on social media, I hope that what I do is making a difference. I have been an educator, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker for more than 20 years, and I understand how easy it is to put ourselves last. We must remember that we are no good for others if we are pouring from an empty vessel. Taking back your power and making yourself a top priority is worth it! The discipline of Communication allows us to create effective communicators. I have used the power of communication to motivate people to learn the importance of how to communicate with themselves, how to communicate with others, and how others communicate with them. The impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had and continues to have means that there will be a need for more motivational speakers who understand multiple perspectives in order to relate to others. I plan to use my experiences and to continue to give back to others by motivating them through the power of communication.
Watch a video with additional insights from Tara Reed!