Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Dawn Piper.
Dr. Dawn Piper hailing from 105 Norfolk Street Belmont Port of Spain, a Technology Genius, Higher Education Educator, Executive Director of Academic Advisement Consultants and Vice President of Susan G Komen born on August 3rd in the beautiful twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Piper was born into a very multiethnic family to Kent and Cynthia Piper. Piper is one of five siblings currently residing in New York and Florida. An aunt to 15 and great aunt to 13 one can assume that she is a family person of cultural diversity. She attained her former education at the following St Margaret’s Elementary, St Dominic’s Catholic Convent, Barry Catholic University, University of Miami and Argosy University.
EARLY YEARS
Constantly reading materials from all genres, Piper was very academically sound and always wrote notes to herself and goals that she wanted to attain. She successfully acquired jobs in her chosen career as Media Artist, Commercial Artist and secured jobs at The Trinidad and Tobago Guardian Newspaper, Century Eslon limited, Patrick Young Sing & Company Ltd, Label House Group and eventually opening the Arima Gazette before migrating to the United States in 1989.
MIAMI FLORIDA
In 1989, she began her administrative career as a Manager to Get Smart Educational Wholesaler, and then her love for academe was born and her love for books flourished , reading and literacy was actualized. Piper insists that her unrelenting drive for success comes from self-motivation, family gatherings and lots of hugs and kisses keep her grounded and her focus was undivided as she pursued her education.
EDUCATION
In 2002, Piper graduated from Barry University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a Concentration in Systems Administration, in 2006, a Master of Science Degree in Computer Engineering and Concentration in Information Technology from Barry University and in 2015, she completed a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with Concentration in Higher Education Leadership at Argosy University. Always graduating with high honors, she catapulted into executive roles within the Higher Education industry throughout Florida. Piper has held multiple roles to include Lead Faculty, Program Manager for Information Technology, Business, Biomedical Engineering, and Architectural Design and Technology, Dean of Academics, Department Chair, Academic Administrator and currently Chief Academic Officer.
In 2013, Piper was chosen as the “Who is Who” for Information Technology Innovation in the United States, she was also chosen as the ‘Faculty of the Month” multiple times from various institutions. Piper received the acclaimed award for the” Fish Philosophy for Cultural Diversity” as well. Her success at creating diversity in the classroom initiatives, student success academies, International relationships, iPad Technology, Cloud Computing, Swivel Robotics, and Cybersecurity identifies her as an innovative technology genius. Piper is known in the community for her advocacy role in Sensitivity on Breast Cancer Awareness and Homelessness in the Florida counties and thus propels her to be recognized by her peers as an academic leader who goes beyond the classroom.
Piper recites her mantra that each student must be treated with respect and recognized each day and each time a faculty and student engages in the classroom. Piper believes that every student can learn but educators are responsible for the retention and engagement of their students at all times.
MENTORS
Piper states that her education has been one of highest quality and quantity, she cherishes her love for education to her sisters, aunts, cousins, teachers, and students, she is grateful to her family who comprises of 10 educators, and manager of educational supply affiliations. Her professor Dr.K. Deeb at Barry University and Dr. Mc Koy at Miami Dade County Public Schools who has been a friend and mentor for her more than 10 yrs . She cherishes her colleagues for their support, unwavering following and belief in her accomplished education and has utilized their relationship with her to further their education and is now an esteemed group of 75 doctors themselves.
GUEST SPEAKER ENGAGEMENTS
Piper has spoken on multiple topics to all audiences on topics of motivation, career advisements, finding yourself, breast cancer awareness and other academic topics. Piper is the co-author of “Women Breathe Again” a compilation of 17 anthologies and is also the ghostwriter for a Miami project called “I Came to Change the Culture” a True Biography of a New York Street Rapper.
Piper has been an advocate for the Susan G Komen since 2007, as a team captain, volunteer, and community member, in 2015, she became a participating Board Member and in 2019 she became the Miami/Fort Lauderdale affiliate’s Vice President. In her volunteer role, she visits companies, raises funds, and advocates for grants, care and medical treatments for underserved communities and families afflicted by breast cancer throughout tri-cities in Florida. Piper does guest speaking and community events on a regular basis and believes that education and awareness is the best precaution.
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATOR AND INSTRUCTIONAL-CURRICULUM DESIGNER
Piper has spent decades tutoring numerous students in technology, computer hardware, software and applications throughout Florida. Piper has taught in academe in some of Florida’s greatest schools such as Lake Stevens Middle school where she founded the Advanced Technology Academy teaching a high school curriculum to Middle school students in web design and digital media arts and graphics. Brown Mackie College where she taught and co-founded iPad technology. In 2008, Piper chaired the Lion Hearts Volunteer program and the college earned the Presidents Award for Community service and involvement from President George Bush. Piper also founded the International Nursing Symposium which allowed Brown Mackie College to host 65 Haitian Students. In 2017, Piper joined AU and eventually became the Academic Administration Education Coordinator where she implemented the Health Care Clinic for practicing physician students, Cloud Computing Academy, Blockchain Initiatives, 13 language Coding Academy with Dunbar, WebBuiltcon Symposium with Patrick Alexander, PublishHer Authors Book Fair with Flourish Media Company, and Health and Beauty Expo for exposing students to Career placements and building business portfolios and opportunities.
In 2019, Piper is the Chief Academic Officer at a privately-owned university in Florida where she plans on implementing multiple initiatives. Piper is humble and exudes humility as she continues to break down barriers as she continues to advocate for multinational, multiethnic and multigenerational students, and breast cancer afflicted families.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Obstacles faced along the way include the following:
Being a female Information Technology Genius amongst a world of Information Technology male dominants in an evolving industry.
Keeping focused and having that winning attitude always.
Breaking the glass ceiling has been challenging but always allowed me to set higher goals and work towards thinking like a man but acting like a woman when necessary.
Keeping my emotional intelligence under control, I don’t believe anyone other than the family has seen the uncontrolled side of me in my career.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As a Vice President at Susan G Komen Miami/Fort Lauderdale, I raise funds, speak and advocate for the cause, providing knowledge to families, survivors, and the community. I speak to various organizations on the needs of The Susan G Komen breast cancer affiliate on grants, community life support, and fundraising dollars to provide care and resources for individuals within poverty restricted incomes and those who do not have insurance.
Breast Cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
I recruit anyone who is interested in volunteering their services or looking for an opportunity to assist us in our mission.
I encourage others like teachers to form a team, universities, and colleges to form a team or lend us their support.
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
To get involved please call the Susan G Komen Breast Care Helpline:
1-877-465-6636
As an Executive Director of Academic Advisement Consultants, I recruit professors as well as students who seek assistance with advanced and accelerated academic programs. Assisting and placing professors in Higher Education institutions, after carefully screening them for effectiveness, professional accreditation adaptability or placing students at universities and colleges which align strategically with their career goals. This is a new initiative and one which has proven to be successfully executed at this time.
Call the Academic Advisement Consultants Helpline:
305-742-1794
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I have been a champion for the cause of student achievement. Every vision and every concept that was envisioned as a breakthrough for the advancement of student achievement.
My expertise and attention to detail are immaculate. I am an innovator who is proactive. I see the big picture and works tirelessly to problem solve through issues; always putting out fires before any blaze.
Colleagues would say:
“Dr. Piper is the ultimate professional who possesses the Midas touch. Her reach encompasses all stakeholders who value education and aspire to be a part of the industry.”
Contact Info:
- Address: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Photos taken by Joe Hammond
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
