Katrina M. Overby, Ph.D.
NCHS CLASS OF 2005
In celebration of HBCU Week, we are proud to shine a spotlight on four of our alumni who chose Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Their experiences reflect the lasting impact of HBCUs in shaping leaders, building community, and carrying forward a legacy of excellence and pride. Our second featured alum is Dr. Katrina M. Overby.
Q&A
WHICH HBCU DID YOU ATTEND and how did it shape your career path?
I attended Rust College from 2005-2009. My HBCU experience built my confidence in both my skills and my voice. From day one, professors and classmates invested their time, energy, and resources into making sure I thrived. They pushed me to apply for scholarships, encouraged my love for research and speaking, and gave me hands-on access to equipment early in my freshman year. The small, intimate classes made me feel seen and heard, and that environment affirmed that my ideas and my voice mattered. I am now a Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Education/Academia.
How did North Central prepare you for the HBCU experience?
At North Central, I learned the power of small communities within larger systems. Whether it was teachers who took time to affirm my ideas or coaches and teammates who built me up, I saw firsthand how support networks could shape your path. Having incredible Black teachers at North Central also left a lasting impression on me. Their confidence, care, and commitment to education inspired me to seek out an environment where that kind of teaching was central. That admiration made the HBCU experience feel not just like an option, but like home.
I knew several Panthers who went on to HBCUs and graduated in ’05. It was cool to see their journeys and career growth play out on the early days of Facebook. That made me proud to see how far we’d all come and to have that connection.
What is your favorite NCHS Memory?
All the hours spent in the weight room, laughing, joking, and lowkey (maybe highkey) annoying Coach A and my teammates! Those moments shaped not just my discipline, but also my joy in community, health and laughter.
What was your favorite HBCU tradition?
Two stick out most: First, respecting the grounds. At my HBCU we didn’t step on the grass, honoring those who came before us and those who would follow. Second, the “After Caf Post Up” was the almost nightly ritual of gathering outside the dining hall, laughing, joking, and just being together. Those simple moments of community are what make HBCU life unforgettable.
What advice would you give current North Central students considering an HBCU?
Find your mentors early. Whether it’s a faculty member, an upper-class peer, or someone in the community. Mentorship is the heartbeat of the HBCU experience. Try the things that challenge you and the things that bring you joy. Trust me, you’ll find your lane in the overlap. And know this: the connections you build will last a lifetime. Being part of an HBCU family is an unspoken bond that you’ll proudly carry everywhere you go!
Connect with Dr. Overby
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