Today we’d like to introduce you to Val Senegal.
Hi Val, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a person fueled by purpose, not passion. I think we, as a society, can oftentimes become passionate about things that serve no purpose. In order to change the “status quo”, you have to think and do differently than those who have gone before us. As a former AmeriCorps member, public school teacher, college and university leader, and political candidate, I have gathered a vast amount of knowledge, insight, and experience in addressing key issues that have collectively circuited the matter of systemic racism. My experiences and efforts are channeled into being a “change agent” in both my personal and professional life. Just like many residents in East Harris County, I know firsthand how lives can be transformed when a person is properly resourced and connected within their community. Growing up in rural southwest Louisiana as the daughter of a farmer has contributed a great deal to my character. I’ve had the privilege of seeing people do a lot with extremely little. The limited access to quality youth programs contributed to latency for a lot of children who had dreams of going to college or starting a business. The lack of diversity in certain schools contributed to cultural ignorance and fueled superiority belief systems that still exist today. After graduating in the top five percent of my high school class and earning scholarships to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, I majored in Child & Family Studies for three years with the intent of earning a bachelor’s degree in Applied Life Sciences. During my final year of college, I was offered a career opportunity that would increase my economic potential but also limit my ability to complete the internship program for my major. As a first-generation college student, I decided to take the pragmatic approach that would allow me to accept the position and still graduate. I changed my major to General Studies.
By doing this, I earned a bachelor’s degree in three years instead of the traditional four years from UL-Lafayette. Recognizing that adult education occurs when there is innovation of information, skills, or technology in this ever-changing world of science, I decided to pursue a graduate degree for a career in higher ed. After taking the GRE and passing, I enrolled in Northwestern State University and obtained a master’s degree in Adult Education with a 3.8 gpa while working in nonprofit. Throughout my career tenure, I’ve tackled health and wellness initiatives for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The #MeToo Movement paved a path for women like myself to strategically confront public policy issues and address social injustices that affect individuals’ mental health for the Office for Victims of Crime, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the National Institute of Health, and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). In 2016, we successfully launched the novelty #NowMattersL8R campaign to decrease the number of cyberbullying and sexual assault incidences within middle and high school populations. In 2018, the White House Council on Women and Girls’ infamous It’s On US campaign was unveiled in south Louisiana to increase public awareness and efforts to combat sexual assault on college campuses.
Recently, the University of Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center acquired my consultancy and leadership capacities to address local health research initiatives. One of the many philosophies I live by is “To whom much is given, much is required.” Throughout my networks, I have personally enjoyed the journeys of fundraising and volunteering, which have collectively contributed to nearly one million in capital for nonprofit organizations such as Girl Scouts, March of Dimes, Susan G Komen, United Way, and the Junior League. Recently, I have graciously accepted the position of Director of Resource Development with East Harris County because I value the mission of improving the quality of life through innovative, sustainable programs and services that empower people to achieve their full potential. Now is the time for the communities of Crosby, Sheldon, Northshore, Channelview, Galena Park, and Jacinto City to be elevated and people’s voices to be heard! Intentionality will be applied to every effort that is made to create better communities. My husband Kencil and I have been embraced by Houston and we intend to return the love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My family and I recently relocated here from Louisiana. The biggest challenge for me right now has been getting thoroughly acclimated to Houston during the pandemic and the recent Uri Snowstorm crisis. I am an ambivert who prefers face-to-face interactions. Not being able to hug neighbors and conversing through masks have been quite a challenge for me personally. My entire life has been built on connections with great people. I married my husband whom I met while teaching.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am comfortable in any leadership and public relations role. My work must be purposeful and intentional in making impacts that improve people’s quality of life. With anything I do, I always feel like there’s someone out there who can do it better. I don’t know everything, but I strive to learn every day. I am most proud of being a mother. My daughter Lyric is my biggest inspiration. I am mindful that she and her peers are always watching me. What I say and do influences them. My goal is to be a good role model. In regards to parenting, I take a more conventional approach that requires the removal of electronics and engagement in thought-provoking conversations. When it is time to reprimand, there is always a conversation of what can be done differently that will render better results. My husband and I believe the world is the classroom and we are the primary teachers for our daughter. We travel a LOT in order to teach the invaluable lessons that children cannot learn in schools alone. Exposing my daughter to different areas, customs, cultures, and religions is an important personal objective in order for her to truly learn the world and become who she is intended to be.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Courageousness. I understand that sometimes you have to have the courage to step outside of your comfort zones to push the boundaries of what is possible. It is important to go beyond what we currently know and place ourselves in spaces for growth. It is a sad life to stay stuck in the same place, doing the same thing and never pushing the envelope. Well-behaved women rarely made history right?
Contact Info:
- Email: vsenegal@eastharriscounty.org
- Website: https://ehcec.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehcec/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ehcec
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ehcec
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiAzcOvpEzXrlSa6NutTMmg
Image Credits
Marianna West https://www.instagram.com/marianajoytinaphotos/
What to check out next:
Aleasha Bahr is a sales & marketing strategist known for showing introverts and ambiverts the Secret Art of Subtle Selling. She personally sold millions in revenue while discovering introverts are usually top sales people – as soon as they stop trying to act like extroverts. We’ve partnered with her to produce Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories. Check out episode 1 below:
