The Real World at RBC

Inside Academics

Clinical Psychologist becomes Chief Academic Officer at RBC and teaches students how to apply classroom learning in the real world while balancing her duties as head of the school’s educational program. 

By ABIGAIL HOLMES 

Dr. Tiffany Birdsong serves as the Chief Academic Officer at Richard Bland College, overseeing the educational program and seeking student success. As a first-generation college student, she earned her bachelor’s degree at Manhattan College in psychology. During her time at LaSalle University, Birdsong earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology. 

Dr. Birdsong spent the first part of her career working as a clinical psychologist in a women’s trauma center and later teaching psychoeducation workshops and training to medical staff in hospitals.

Her love for teaching people about her profession led her to apply for a faculty position at RBC. 

“I was working on call at Poplar Springs Hospital in Petersburg, reflecting on my time teaching medical staff on the psychological elements of patient care, and I felt a desire to get back to educating others,” says Birdsong, “Richard Bland had a faculty position open, so I decided I would try teaching.” 

Sharing her expertise with college students held some uncertainties, but Dr. Birdsong was willing to try something new if it meant reaching RBC’s student population. She has a special connection with RBC students because many are first-generation college students like herself. Birdsong remarks, “I am passionate about the students because I see myself in them and want them to succeed.” 

Having taught at RBC for seven years, Dr. Birdsong has received many honors, such as the Dean’s Faculty Excellence Award, and served as Chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department. Her recent promotion to CAO occupies much of her time, but she still manages to invest in her students. 

In the classroom, her teaching style emphasizes experiential learning by challenging students to learn concepts and demonstrate their application in the real world. Dr. Birdsong explains, “If a student can digest it and apply it in a non-classroom setting, that’s a success for me!” 

Dr. Birdsong believes “College is a gift,” so she strives to teach her course material using methods that students will appreciate and enjoy. She provides reference points for students that are both memorable and fun. For instance, on a day where the lesson is on paranoia, students might walk into class with Michael Jackson’s “Somebody’s Watching Me” playing overhead to demonstrate its application. 

The environment Dr. Birdsong creates fosters learning and closes the gap between the student and the academic. “Students stay the same age, but I grow older. Their generational experience helps me to develop as an academic because they bring current and first-hand research from their generation.” 

On top of her career, Dr. Birdsong enjoys world travel to places like England, France, Spain, Greece, and Belize, where she went cave spelunking into a Mayan sacrificial site. On a more regular basis, dance, cooking, hiking, listening to true crime podcasts, visiting family in New York, and taking care of her baby occupy her free time. 

Dr. Birdsong loves what she does and attributes it to her tribe—the people she surrounds herself with. She believes that her tribe has been integral to her professional success and life accomplishments. Birdsong leaves you with this question: “Are the people around you feeding you, or are they starving you?” 

Having taught at RBC for seven years, Dr. Birdsong has received many honors, such as the Dean’s Faculty Excellence Award and served as Chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department.