EDUCATION
JD, Duke University School of Law, North Carolina Central University

BA, Political Science, Cum Laude, North Carolina State University,
University of Southern California

ACADEMIA
Interim Associate Dean of Administration, 2019-2020
Interim Associate Dean of Administration & Finance, 2018-2019

LAW PROFESSOR
NCCU Law School, 1989-1993; 
Law Professor of the Year Awards 1991, 1992 and 1993
Excellence in teaching, scholarship, and community service. 
Faculty Advisor 

COURSEWORK
Legal Writing and Analysis Fall 2019 
Licensing Technology Transfers, Fall 2012; 
Legal Writing, Legal Methods, Advanced Legal Writing; 
Contracts, Civil Litigation, Trial Practice 
Coordinated Appellate Advocacy 

PRIVATE PRACTICE
Founding Attorney: Couch & Associates, PC, Attorneys At Law, 
Established 1993; Civil Litigation; Mediation. 

GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP
Executive Director, NC Inmate Grievance Resolution Board, NC Dept. of Public Safety: August 1993 to August 2017 

Director of Board responsible for administering the Administrative Remedy Procedure, mediated disputes, and issued Appeal Orders in response to inmate grievance appeals, helping to ensure that conditions of confinement were constitutional for inmates. Served in Administrations of Governors Hunt, Easley, Purdue, McCrory, and Cooper.

OTHER AWARDS
George H. White Bar Association Exemplary Award: April 2018
Business Associate of the Year Award
Raleigh Tarheel Branch of the American Business Women Association
Nominated in Correction for the Governor’s Award for Excellence

ACTIVITIES
Consultant, Speaker, Presenter public education reform, penology, effective communication, family values, and diversity management.  

PUBLICATIONS

  • Small Office Law Practice, Durham County Bar 

  • Association Presenter, CLE, Feb. 13, 202o

  • “The First Eighty Year and Counting,” NC Central University School of  Law, Of Counsel Magazine, Vol. 21, Winter 2019, Pub’d. Jan. 2020

  • “Some Thoughts on Penology, Tough Love, and Prevention,” American  Bar Assoc., Human Rights Magazine, Spring 2002

  • “Not Just Another Brown Analysis: A Call For Public Education Reform,”  NC Central Law Journal, Vol. 20, No. 2, 1992

LEADERSHIP
President, Durham Orange Woman Attorneys, (2010-11)
Chair, Durham County Bar Assoc.,  (2002-03) 
Chair,  NC Bar Association’s Local Bar Services Committee (2003-05)

MEMBERSHIPS 
ABA African American Affairs Subcommittee,  
American Association Of Justice, 
NC Advocates for Justice, 
George H. White Bar Association, 
Durham County Bar Assoc., 
Duke Alumni Association Lifetime Member; 
NC Assoc. of Black Lawyers 
Durham County Bar Assoc. Long Range Planning Committee, 
Durham Mayor’s Restoration Leadership Institute for Youth
Local Superior Court Rules Committee 
St. Joseph AME Church Trustee, Stewardess Board No. 1, 2014-15. 
Durham Academy Room Parent 2009 to 2019
North Carolina State University Lifetime Alumni member