Laurie Carter, Susquehanna University

“In order to create the life that we dream of, we have to run toward the healing, not away from it.”
Laurie Carter

Laurie Carter, Dean of the School of the Arts and Humanities at Susquehanna University, shared the story behind her title with us on December 21, 2023.

Laurie is a nationally recognized author. Her memoir, Crave: Sojourn of a Hungry Soul, was named by The Root as one of the best nonfiction books by Black authors in 2015. The memoir was also listed as an Indiefab Book of the Year 2015 finalist in the autobiography/memoir category and named a finalist for the Library of Virginia People’s Choice Award for nonfiction.

An outspoken advocate for survivors of military sexual trauma, Laurie has published personal essays on the topic, as well as poverty and domestic violence, in several publications and has presented talks, lectures, and workshops at organizations including the KGB Literary Bar, Girls Write Now, The Women’s Initiative and West Point Military Academy. Most recently, Laurie served as a panelist on military sexual trauma and presented to Denis McDonough, secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Laurie is also an award-winning educator having recently been awarded the Academic Excellence Award for an outstanding faculty member from Hampton University.

SUE SAYS

Laurie grew up in Portsmouth Va in a community where she witnessed abuse, crime, drugs and fractured families on a regular basis. As she sat in her bedroom as a young girl dreaming of a different life for herself, she discovered a love of language and reading. While it can take a lifetime to heal from abuse, the very act of leaning into our vision and interests can lead us down paths we never could have imagined.