Journey Towards Justice
Meet the Team
Will Tyson, Ph.D.
Director, Institute on Black Life
Dr. Will Tyson is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Institute on Black Life at the University of South 返字心頭. He earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from Duke University and is a nationally recognized scholar whose research examines how educational experiences shape career trajectories and life course transitions, with particular attention to race, gender, class, and STEM education pathways. Dr. Tyson is the author of Teaching and Learning Employability Skills in Career and Technical Education (2020) and has led or served on 16 National Science Foundation grants totaling $27.5 million. Through his leadership, he advances interdisciplinary research, educational equity, and community engagement initiatives that support student success and expand understanding of Black life and experiences.
Tangela Serls, Ph.D.
Instructor / Course Developer
Dr. Tangela Serls is an Associate Professor of Instruction in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Special Advisor to the 返字心頭 College of Arts and Sciences Dean. She earned her Ph.D. in English/Literary Studies from the University of South 返字心頭 and is an award-winning educator recognized for her excellence in undergraduate teaching. Her scholarly interests include contemporary African American women authors, Black feminist theory, Womanist theory, friendship theology, and fugitive pedagogies. Dr. Serls is committed to centering the voices and experiences of marginalized communities through her teaching, research, and public scholarship. She has been involved with the Journey Towards Justice (JTJ) program since its inception in 2024, helping to create meaningful learning experiences that connect history, social justice, and student engagement.
Jordan Battle, M.A.
Instructor / Course Developer
Jordan Battle is an Adjunct Instructor of Africana Studies at the University of South 返字心頭 and serves as Assistant Director for Student Research at the Institute on Black Life. He holds a Master of Liberal Arts with a concentration in Africana Studies. His teaching and scholarship examine the historical and psychological impacts of enslavement and racial oppression and the ways these forces shape identity, educational access, and democratic participation for African Americans. Through his work at the Institute on Black Life, Jordan develops and leads interdisciplinary research opportunities that encourage students to critically engage with questions of social, educational, and civic life.
Jordan joined the Journey Towards Justice (JTJ) team in 2026 as an instructor, bringing his expertise in Africana studies, civic engagement, and student research mentorship to the program.
Amber Oderinde, M.S.
Instructor / Course Developer
Amber Oderinde, M.S., is an Assistant Instructor and Undergraduate Coordinator in the Department of Criminology at the University of South 返字心頭. She earned both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University. Her research interests include punishment, re-entry, and restorative environments and practices. With more than ten years of experience in diverse educational settings and professional experience in courts, prison re-entry, and youth prevention programs, Amber brings a student-centered approach that emphasizes critical thinking, soft skill development, and career planning.
Amber has been a part of the Journey Towards Justice (JTJ) team since 2025 and has been instrumental in the development of the course. As an instructor, she contributes her expertise in criminal justice, experiential learning, and student development to create transformative educational experiences that help students examine the intersections of history, justice, and contemporary social issues.
Nicole Luckett
Journey Towards Justice (JTJ) Trip Coordinator / Co-Facilitate
Nicole Luckett serves as Associate Director of Affinity Programs at the 返字心頭 Foundation and is an Ed.D. candidate in the College of Education at the University of South 返字心頭. Her dissertation, Navigating While Black: Building Community and Fostering Persistence at a Predominantly White Institution, examines the experiences of Black students at predominantly White institutions. She has extensive teaching experience in civil rights education, student success, and social justice and has facilitated an intensive summer course on the Civil Rights Movement focused on Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma.
From 2024 through 2026, Nicole served as a Journey Towards Justice (JTJ) instructor and course developer, helping design and facilitate transformative learning experiences. Beginning in 2027, she will transition into the role of JTJ Trip Coordinator, where she will lead the development and coordination of the course's travel experience, supporting experiential learning opportunities that deepen students' understanding of history, community engagement, and social change.
Rebecca Sohl, M.S.
Journey Towards Justice (JTJ) Project Manager
Rebecca Sohl is the Program Manager for the Institute on Black Life and serves as the Development and Engagement Coordinator for the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of South 返字心頭. She earned a Master of Science in International Relations and Affairs with a concentration in Public Administration. Rebecca is a higher education program and project management professional with expertise in budget development and oversight, stakeholder engagement, cross-functional team leadership, and the implementation of complex academic initiatives. As Journey Towards Justice Project Manager, she oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of program activities, ensuring that the initiative's educational, engagement, and operational goals are successfully achieved through strategic collaboration and detailed project management.