Shaashawn S. Dial, Ph.D.
Board Treasurer
Change Agent, Leader-Scholar, Aspiring Co-conspirator
Dr. Shaashawn S. Dial, she/her pronouns, is a self-identified proud army brat, gemini, first born, natural hair rocker for 28+ years, Black, queer, womxn, childless by choice, Godmom x 3, village auntie. Nicknamed “The Voyce”. Dr. Shaashawn is known for her huge smile and smooth alto voice through which you can ‘hear her smile’ on radio airwaves and in vocal narration. She is an award-winning radio broadcaster, author, edutaining facilitator, engaging emcee, polished plenary moderator, sex educator, thorough panelist, and unapologetic advocate, disruptor and leader- scholar.
Dr. Shaashawn is the Founder of Voycetress Media, LLC providing consulting services via curriculum development, professional development, facilitation experiences regarding justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, sexual and reproductive health, and voice over services. Shaashawn is the author of two books: Acquired Taste of Love: Spice Filled Poems to Please Your Palate and Estrogen in the Atmosphere and a spoken word CD titled VOYCEMAIL. Dr. Shaashawn currently contributes her time, treasures, and talents as the Vice President of Education with the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood. Shaashawn is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority Incorporated, one of the Divine Nine.
Dr. Shaashawn is a HERSTORY maker who has worked in 5 of the 7 U.S. social institutions in roles such as: Inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in higher ed and a capitol city mayor office. She served as the inaugural Co-Vice Chair Commissioner of former Governor Tom Wolf’s Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, the first commission of its kind in the nation. Dr. Shaashawn is the first Black womxn to hold the position of President of the Board of Directors for the LGBT Center of Central PA in 2017,(www.centralpalgbtcenter.org/) and co- founded Studs Magazine, a quarterly publication that celebrated Handsomely Beautifully Women (masculine presenting womxn/ masculine of center) in 2007. In 2007 while serving as the Program Director of Harrisburg’s only urban radio station, WTCY1400 AM “THE TOUCH” she created and hosted The Shaashawn Dial Show: A Dial Movement weekday 3pm- 7 pm; the first live and local weekday show in the station’s eighteen-year existence. Her additional broadcasting experience includes: WWKL-FM Hot 92.1 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, KWWC-FM 90.5 in Columbia, Missouri, and WVST-FM 91.3 in Petersburg, Virginia.
Dr. Shaashawn’s formal education includes: a Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership Studies (ALS) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, Pennsylvania), a master’s in Public Administration from Shippensburg University (Shippensburg, Pennsylvania), Graduate Certificate in Academic Advising in Higher Education from Kansas State University (Manhattan Kansas), and B.A. in Philosophy, Law, and Rhetoric from Stephens College (Columbia, Missouri).
Dr. Shaashawn’s purpose is to use her gift, her alto voice, for the facilitated exchange of information infused with arts performance to raise consciousness, close disparity gaps, minimize exclusion, while striving for liberation from ‘isms’, phobias, discrimination, and oppression. Shaashawn is on a mission to connect people to people and people to information by taking private conversations public, practicing the art of getting comfortable and being uncomfortable especially when defensiveness and awkwardness show up. Shaashawn creates brave learning environments for individuals, communities, and organizations to reflect upon values and build skills.
