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Faculty Profile: Dr. Linda Malone-Colon, Chair of Psychology Department
Dr. Linda Malone-Colon, an expert in black family relationships, has returned to Hampton University as chair of the psychology department. Malon-Colon, who designed a course concerning black marital relationships, has been featured in Essence Magazine. She has served as the executive director of the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center and is the founder of Hampton University's Counseling Center. Her wealth of knowledge and her desire to inform students about black relationships have allowed her to co-author a chapter and write numerous articles on black marriage. The Student Connection sat down with Malone-Colon to learn more about her return to Hampton and what she plans to do now that she's here.
Q. When did you start teaching at Hampton University?
A. I started teaching at HU in the early 1990s.
Q. Why did you to return to Hampton University?
A. To bring back the things I learned at the National Health Marriage Resource Center. I came back to study policy and conduct research. Also, Hampton is home for me.
Q. Why did you decide to study the black family?
A. As a director of the university counseling, I noticed that most of the students that came in to see me were dealing with relationship issues. Male and female relationships seemed to have a deep impact on the students. After additional research I realized that the problem was deeper than I had imagined. It was then that I decided to study the black family.
Q. What are your hobbies?
A. I love to dance and I like to read.
Q. What parts of the world have you visited and where would you love to go?
A. I've visited Brazil, Africa, the Caribbean and the Virgin Islands. However, I haven't been to Paris. It's a place I would really like to go. For some reason I'm drawn to it.
Q. Do you have children?
A. Yes, two adult sons and a granddaughter.
Q. What's your favorite color?
A. Gold
Q. What are some of your plans for incorporating the study of black family life into the psychology department?
A. I would like to develop a concentration in marriage and family. My broader vision is to have a national center on marriage and family. The center would raise public awareness and consist of a resource development program. This program would show students how to develop healthy relationships. The center would also counter the messages in the media and develop information about mentoring programs. I also want to develop a series of courses related to family.
-Jestina K. Adediji