Life University (Life U) recently celebrated the promotion of Dr. Paula Leticia Billups to the position of Associate Professor in the College of Graduate and Undergraduate School (CGUS). Dr. Billups is a dedicated educator, contributing significantly to the Bachelor of Business Administration degree program. Beyond her professional achievements, her journey is marked by a commitment to community service and a passion for fostering positive education.

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Billups moved to Atlanta, Georgia, about 25 years ago, where she discovered her love for the city. Having purchased a home in Marietta, Georgia, she finds joy in the proximity of her home and job at Life U. Dr. Billups also carries a strong sense of community involvement.

“I’m very active in five county organizations and am on the Board of Directors for an organization called the Pearl Foundation. It’s affiliated with my sorority that I pledged in undergraduate, which is Alpha Kappa Alpha. We hold fundraisers to raise monies for African-American female high school students to attend college,” shared Dr. Billups.

Dr. Billups embarked on a second career in education after working in the field of computer science for 15 years. Holding undergraduate degrees from the Missouri Institute of Science and Technology, she pursued her master’s at Southern Illinois University and completed her doctorate at North Central University. Dr. Billups’s doctoral studies focused on positive leadership and psychology, aligning with her belief in the importance of positive education.

Dr. Billups was drawn to Life U by its unique program in positive psychology, as it was the only school in the area offering such a curriculum. Her passion for lifelong learning and positive psychology fueled her desire to become a professor. In 2016, she came across a program featuring a Life U faculty member, which impressed her and led her to explore opportunities at the University. Previously providing professional development at Kennesaw State University, Dr. Billups realized that higher education was her true calling.

Dr. Billups embraces what she calls the “un-professor” approach, rejecting traditional norms and instead focusing on constant growth and evolution. At Life U, she has engaged in professional development, working with fellow faculty on programs like The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. This commitment to ongoing learning aligns with her belief in the necessity of learning, unlearning and relearning, a philosophy she shares with her students.

“I wanted to share with you a quote by Alvin Toffler. He’s the author of a book called Future Shock. The quote reads, ‘The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.’”

Dr. Paula Billups’ journey from a successful career in computer science to becoming an Associate Professor at Life U is a testament to her passion for positive education and continuous learning. Her dedication to community service and innovative teaching methods makes her a valuable asset to both her students and the university community. As Dr. Billups continues to inspire and contribute to the field of education, her impact extends far beyond the classroom.

 

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