“Dr. Baker promotes a 'woken" model of leadership that calls for accountability, honors cross cultural and intersectional perspectives and insists on engaged learning. In a world of consultants that ignore the complexities of race and other aspects of identity and power in favor of "neutral" values, it is a relief to see a powerful woman of color embracing the universal values of leadership while simultaneously refusing to ignore the many different platforms that people occupy, sometimes by choice, and sometimes by societal sorting.I honestly feel that any cohort of leaders who immerse themselves in Dr. Baker's model will find themselves tested and changed on their way to the other side in ways that build self awareness, integrity and action.I only participated in a "sampler" training opportunity through a City Government conference tailored toward women and I am already convinced that if our leadership engaged regularly with Dr. Baker, that our level of awareness and purposeful action would rise.Spend the time with her. She's about the very best business of leadership and will help any organization shake off the cob webs of complacency.” - Lucas Smiraldo (Equity Management Analyst, Writer and Collaborative Artist)

Integrity. When I think of Dr. Baker, as a dedicated professional, leader, and life-long learner, I think of the word integrity.  It is a quality from which she leads, advises and teaches others to build their confidence, believe in their talents, and convey passion. As a leader, her integrity bridges trust, earns others’ commitment, and offers compassion. Leading through integrity and influence, I have witnessed Dr. Baker empower a team, a division, and other leaders to shift their perspective, move to action, and seek to serve with greater purpose.  In my early years of working in higher education, I had the pleasure of serving directly under her leadership. In addition to her leadership, being mentored by Dr. Baker has been equally influential in my professional development. Transferring from a different career, she took me under her wing, believed in me, built my confidence, and invested in my talents. Her devotion to my personal and professional development, particularly as a woman of color, helped build my resilience, professional discernment, and emotional intelligence – a quality which she embodies so well – and ultimately prepared me to become the leader I am today. I am grateful to Dr. Baker that she chooses to live in her purpose and serve others through her leadership. -Dr. Veronica L. Sills, PHR (Talent Solutions Manager |University of North Carolina Greensboro)

Uchenna has been a long time close friend of mine for over 10 years. Our paths cross when when she was my supervisor while I worked as a Graduate Hall Director for Rutgers University. During the two years she supervised me, she taught me many valuable lessons regarding professionalism, loyalty and personal philosophies. She showed me the value in patience and grace coupled with organization and intention. Those lessons were ones that I took with me and have exercised over the years in my own professional career with various staff members that I myself have had to supervise. Not only has Uchenna taught me valuable lessons in my professional career, she has mentored me beyond that as a close friend and mentor over the years. Through Uchenna I have been able to grow as an individual – as a friend, woman, mentor, wife and even mother. She has served as my sound board over and over again and it’s because of her transparency and ability to stay neutral no matter what I bring to her is how I know she’s such a great woman, friend, human being, etc. No matter the situation I bring to her, she is always able to calmly listen, digest and tell me how to solve the situation – even if I came into the conversation thinking I was right, she just has this way of making me aware of other perspectives without judgement. That is truly a gift and something that should be the number one trait we look for in a friend and mentor. -Karina F. Daves  (Assistant Director of Administration, Mason Gross School of the Arts  | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey)

I highly recommend Dr. Baker’s workshops on integrity for any organization going through change.  Dr. Baker is a phenomenal speaker and leader who will challenge others to take a hard look at their own barriers to providing the leadership they are fully capable of engaging, no matter what role they have in an organization. What I appreciate most about Dr. Baker’s approach is her skill in challenging assumptions and assertions made by those she’s working with from a place of genuine care and compassion. Her depth of knowledge and insights are very helpful when engaging in meaningful reflection on organizational change. -Jenni Chadick (Process Analyst |Tacoma Public Utilities)

Dr. Baker is an inspirational and empowering mentor and leader in higher education. I first served under Dr. Baker as a Community Director for Residence Life at Elon University, where I observed her empathetic, kind, and intentional leadership, enriched by her scholarly knowledge. Dr. Baker brings a level of energy and presence that seems to seek out and guide potential in professionals. As a Community Director, I vividly recall being able to have the most authentic conversations, sometimes in relation to my role as a professional and other in relation to my personal life. Every moment I felt heard. I also knew that every time I walked away from our conversation, I left feeling empowered to think about challenges differently, affirmed as a person, and fully supported as a professional. I credit my transition to my passionate area of student conduct directly to her mentorship, vividly recalling her asking me, “Are you ready to become a specialist?” What may have seemed like a common question to her was a moment of clarity for me. When I was able to answer that questions confidently with a resounding yes, I knew I was ready to pursue my passion. I continue to be grateful for her mentorship, a relationship we have been able to continue cultivate even as a significant distance separates us. Dr. Baker assists in fueling my ambition to pursue my doctoral degree. While I often joke telling her, “I want to grow up and be like you,” I truly mean that Dr. Baker is truly an inspiration to an aspiring senior-level administrator who wishes to travel on the trail I observe her to blaze. -Detric Robinson-Miller (Assistant Director of Student Conduct |Elon University)

Dr. Baker has served as mentor for me since 2014. She supports me and engages in critical conversations with me as I navigate my journey as a professional. Dr. Baker's professional practice, ethic of care for all humans, and her knowledge and remarkable leadership sets her apart from others. The precision and quality of her work and her story is sure to curate a community of scholars and leaders. -L. Davis, M.Ed. (Assistant Director, Residential Education |Georgetown University)