Biography.

Dr. Narketta Sparkman-Key, widely known as Dr. Key, is a trailblazing scholar, global thought leader, and champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Born and raised in Detroit, she developed an early passion for service, social impact, and education, setting the foundation for a career dedicated to transforming academic institutions and empowering individuals.

With a Ph.D. in Human Services and post-graduate certifications in college teaching and global health, Dr. Key has spent over a decade as a professor, researcher, and higher education executive. Her leadership roles at James Madison University and Old Dominion University positioned her at the forefront of faculty development, strategic planning, global engagement, and inclusive excellence. She has pioneered groundbreaking initiatives, including faculty recruitment and retention programs, international partnerships, and the creation of innovative diversity and inclusion strategies. Her work in leveraging virtual reality to address unconscious bias and enhance cultural competence has been recognized as a model for transformative change.

Beyond academia, Dr. Key is an internationally recognized speaker and advocate, delivering lectures and workshops across the globe, from Costa Rica to Nepal. She has led study abroad programs, hosted global conferences, and engaged in high-profile conversations, including an interview with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones on the 1619 Project. Her TEDx talk, The Silver Dollar Approach to Preventing Black Adolescent Suicide, has touched thousands, amplifying her mission to create pathways for equity and empowerment.

Dr. Key’s impact has earned her numerous prestigious honors, including recognition as one of Virginia Business’s “Top 100 People to Meet”, multiple diversity and inclusion awards, and accolades from the YWCA, the Urban League, and global academic organizations. She currently serves as Vice President for Academic Wellness with the Star Scholar Network, where she continues to lead international conversations on faculty well-being, academic belonging, and global inclusion.

A relentless advocate for change, Dr. Key believes in the power of education to transform lives. Through her leadership, research, and mentorship, she continues to break barriers, redefine excellence, and inspire the next generation of scholars and change-makers.