Dr. DeShields earned her doctorate in Language, Literacy, and Culture from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. There, she focused her studies and research on sociolinguistics, whiteness studies, and rhetoric and culture. Before earning her doctorate, Dr. DeShields earned a Master of Arts in Intercultural Communication & Rhetoric from Howard University and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Morgan State University. She received her formative education in Baltimore City Public Schools.

Areas of Specialization: Langauge, Literacy & Culture; Culturally Responsive & Sustainng Pedagogies; Africology & Pan-African Studies; Digital Humanities; Whiteness Studies 

Teaching Areas: Africana Humanities; Business Communication & Writing; Social Dialects