ROXANNE DONOVAN, PhD

Psychologist. Author. Professor.

Official Bio

Dr. Roxanne Donovan is a former corporate negotiator turned psychologist, author, and professor.

She is a nationally recognized expert on topics of well-being and social justice and features often in the media (e.g., The Washington Post, The Conversation, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Georgia Public Radio).

Dr. Donovan brings an intersectional lens rooted in liberation to her work, publishing and presenting extensively on the role of gendered racism in the mental health outcomes of Black women and other women of color.

Her two coauthored books, Teaching Diversity Relationally and Unraveling Assumptions, apply psychological and social justice frameworks to the teaching and learning of diversity.

Her popular Wellness Wednesday newsletter focuses on supporting faculty of color and other scholars toward purpose-driven lives of meaning, fulfillment, and vitality.

Integrated with her professional identities are her rich and multilayered roles as spouse, mama, sister, and auntie. 

Psychologist

Dr. Donovan is a licensed psychologist in Georgia and founder of WellAcademic, a resource for faculty interested in holistic professional development. Through WellAcademic, she facilitates biannual women of color faculty retreats and an inclusive writing community. She does not have a psychotherapy practice currently. 

Author

Dr. Donovan’s award-winning scholarship centers on themes of social justice, equity, and well-being. She has written extensively on how systemic forces like racism and sexism influence the mental health outcomes of Black women and other people of color.

Her numerous scientific articles have been published in such outlets as Sex Roles, Psychology of Women Quarterly, Journal of Black Psychology, and Journal of Counseling Psychology.

She is currently writing her third book, Mothering in Color, with coauthor Dr. Nichole GuilloryIn it, they share a model for parenting at the intersection of social justice, sisterhood, and self-care.

PROFESSOR

Dr. Donovan is Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University, jointly appointed in the departments of Psychological Science and Interdisciplinary Studies. As a Black feminist scholar, she is passionate about teaching courses that intersect psychology, gender studies, and Black studies such as Psychology of Gender, Black Women's Health, and Black Feminisms.