I support junior faculty and graduate students in higher education as they grow into confident, effective scholars and educators. Through individualized coaching and mentoring, I help early-career academics strengthen their teaching, build a sustainable research agenda, and navigate service expectations. My approach combines practical strategies with reflective guidance—empowering faculty to balance responsibilities, advance their careers, and make meaningful contributions to their institutions and disciplines.

"Dr. Watters has been a great mentor for those of us who are new to the School of Education this year. She helped me refine my research agenda, which was very helpful. She also hosts a writing group on Wednesdays to help keep us motivated about research and writing. These check-ins are so valuable, and they also help us form a sense of community." -Dr. Cindy Woody, Assistant Professor

"I first met Dr. Watters during my doctoral research at UT Tyler, where she served as co-chair of my dissertation committee. Over the past three years, she has become a trusted mentor and colleague. My research focused on improvement science through the lens of program implementation and its impact on student achievement. Her guidance led to a pivotal turning point that honed my focus on rural schools, which allowed my work to become more intentionally niche. This meaningful and timely shift aligned with current state curriculum initiatives in Texas, including the adoption and implementation of state-approved instructional materials and their impact in various educational settings. Her insight, feedback, and encouragement were invaluable throughout my dissertation process and have continued well beyond the completion of my degree. Since then, Dr. Watters has remained a mentor and thought partner, providing numerous leadership and higher education opportunities, from inviting me to serve on instructional coaching panels, to co-authoring my first publication, to bringing me on as an adjunct faculty member. As an instructor, she designs courses that are thoughtful, empathetic, and reflective, grounded in the science of learning, pragmatics, and individualized support. This approach has strongly influenced my own andragogical teaching philosophy. For these opportunities and her continued support, I am deeply grateful. I look forward to her ongoing mentorship, friendship, and passion for leadership development in the years ahead."  -Dr. Katrina Maccalous, ESC Region VII, Adjunct Professor, and UTT Ed.D. Alum