Dr. Anne Marie Edwards currently serves as the director of the Purdue University Black Cultural Center. She previously spent the past four years as the director of the Center for Black Studies at Northern Illinois University. Prior to this role, she has held various roles in higher education, working in career services and admissions. She received a B.S. and M.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University and worked in the hospitality industry for several years until returning to school to obtain an M.B.A. from Valparaiso University. She earned a doctorate in educational psychology in August of 2021 where her emphasis centers Black women and identity development in the higher education environment. Her other research interests include topics around race, motivation, leadership, and career development.

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Anne Marie is interested in ways of making research accessible to the public. Anne Marie is a board member of the Association of Black Culture Centers (ABCC). Additionally, she has served as a keynote and presented at the Association of Black Cultural Centers national conference, and presented at National Council for Black Studies, Midwest Educational Research Association, NASPA, ACPA, Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALAH) and at the International Self-Determination theory conferences.  Anne Marie  is one of the co-hosts of the podcast Blkwomynvoices, a biweekly show about Black womyn and higher education.

 

Anne Marie believes her jam is in helping others in pursuit of their purpose and dreams. She is passionate about supporting leaders and future leaders in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. Additionally, she is passionate about working in the career development space. Currently, Anne Marie is continuing her work as a coach in training.

 

Her quest for education and love for reading has been a part of her life since early childhood. In 2016, Anne Marie published her first children’s book entitled The Lost Rabbit and is working on her first novel.  In fact The Lost Rabbit was a result of a young authors conference she attended in the 3rd grade. 

 

Anne Marie was raised in Gary, IN and now resides in Lafayette, IN.  In her free time Dr. Edwards enjoys traveling, writing, reading, and spending time with family, friends, and her beloved mini schnauzer Buffy.