You’re a “triple-crown” contender at UMKC: you received your undergraduate and master’s degrees here, and now you’re pursuing your PhD. What led you to UMKC?

My husband (Kansas City Mayor Sly James) and I were both born and raised in Kansas City, and I knew it had to be a university in Kansas City.

UMKC offered an Interdisciplinary PhD; I combined Art History and the Humanities Consortium. My focus is African and African American art, and Dr. Maude Southwell Wahlman, UMKC’s expert on African and African American art, has served as a great mentor.

What got you interested in art and art history?

My husband and I decided years ago to collect masks from around the world. We ended up collecting mostly African masks. As an undergraduate, I took Dr. Wahlman’s course on Art of the African Diaspora, and Meso and Native American Art. Realizing I had some of the masks on which she lectured, I was determined to explore every aspect of our collection. To this day, I still have not completed my research on our collection. That completion will come after I complete my IPhD.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received from a professor?

“Licia, you know the information . . . just go ahead and do it.” My professor was more confident in my abilities than I was. Therefore, I did go ahead and am on the verge of completing my doctorate.

Who do you admire most at UMKC?

Dr. Maude Southwell Wahlman, in the Art History Department, is one of the people at UMKC I truly admire. She has spurred me on in my studies and directed me down paths I normally would not have taken. Through her tutelage, I have experienced new areas within my education that I would never have thought to consider.

Are you a first-generation college student?

Yes. I hadn’t given it much thought until I became determined to get my doctorate while my mother was still alive. She has been a guiding force in my life and I feel I owe my education not only to myself, but to her as well.

What is one word that best describes you?

Tenacious is the word that presently best describes me. In my early college endeavors, I was timid and shy, questioning my every move. Today, I have made a decision regarding my education and the education of others, and I will stick firmly to this goal, no matter what obstacles I encounter, until that goal is met.

What are your lifelong goals?

I want to be a professor – at UMKC if possible. Additionally, I see myself producing a series of books regarding non-western art history. I decided to get my PhD because my kids were headed to college, and I wanted to influence their decisions to complete their own schooling. And, of course, I’ve always wanted to be called “Doctor.”

Tell us about your children.

We had four kids, and the oldest has passed away. The other three are in law, music and marketing.  I wanted to encourage them to do what they wanted – not what we wanted them to do.

What is your motto?

My motto is to be myself. I won’t fake it. I believe you should go with your own game plan.

What excites you?

I get excited when I find new research or get an opportunity to explore new places and cultures. I was beyond excited in Senegal.

What’s your greatest fear?

In the past, it was failure. Now it is never giving myself the chance to succeed.

What have you learned from college?

In my earlier college years, I thought it was important to make straight As. I was too nervous and did not cut myself any slack. Given that situation, I withdrew from some classes I should have pushed through and found beneficial. I found myself a few years ago enjoying my studies so much that when I saw another student struggling and contemplating withdrawal, I encouraged against that thought. I have definitely personally grown. I have now learned to relax and take in the knowledge. My parents encouraged me to become an M.D.  I realized that was not for me, but something else was – Art History.  However, I will be a lifelong student and I think others should be as well.