Faculty Member Since 2005
Special Honor: The 2018 graduating class voted Dr. Francis, The “Most Impactful & Influential Professor” of their four-year experience at Spelman College.
Dr. Juanchella Grooms Francis is a native of Atlanta. She has taught at Spelman College since January 2005, and she is a Senior Lecturer in the Psychology Department. While demonstrating a unique instructional pedagogy, she loves teaching Spelman and Morehouse students how to apply psychological concepts, theories, and principles to everyday life experiences.
She currently teaches Industrial Organizational Psychology, Positive Psychology, and Internships in Psychology. She has also taught General Psychology for Non-Majors, Community Psychology, Introduction to Psychological Sciences 201, Introduction to Psychological Sciences 202, Honors Psychology 203, Senior Seminar, First Year Experience, and Supervised Fieldwork.
In 2012, she served as Atlanta University Psychology Research Day Event Chairperson. Special Honor: The 2018 graduating class voted Dr. Francis the “Most Impactful & Influential Professor” of their four-year experience at Spelman College. Dr. Francis is an instructor, trainer, facilitator, leadership consultant, conflict mediator, motivational speaker, and mentor.
Prior to her employment with Spelman College, she worked in management for the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Education, under the leadership of former and late Mayor Maynard Jackson. In August 1994, she joined the City of Decatur Police Department as its first civilian Community Relations Specialist. For 16 years, she managed a one-woman division by serving as liaison for the police department and the Decatur community.
As a conflict mediator, crime prevention and intervention trainer, Dr. Francis collaborated with the City of Decatur Court System, Decatur Housing Authority, Decatur City School System, Decatur businesses, Decatur faith-based organizations, and Decatur residents.
Dr. Francis is the Founder & Executive Director of Life Coach for Christ Ministries whose mission is to facilitate the process of renewing, restoring, and rebuilding people’s lives. As an ordained minister and life coach, she conducts workshops designed to empower individuals, couples, ministries, small groups, and organizations.
Former Board Member: Overcoming Obstacles; The Atlanta Project; Communities That Care-Task Force to Reduce Underage Alcohol Consumption; Seniors & Law Enforcement Together (SALT); Christmas Decatur; Vulnerable Adults Living At-Risk Invisibly.
Memberships, Honors and Awards
Post-Doctoral Faculty Mentor
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Society for the Teaching of Psychology
American Psychological Association
Psychology National Honor Society (Psi Chi)
Conflict Mediator
Difficult Dialogues Facilitator
Book Co-editor
Co-facilitator of Elite 31, a nine-month mentoring program (college section) at Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral
1998 Leadership DeKalb graduate
National Forum for Black Public Administrators Fellowship recipient
Housing and Urban Development Fellowship recipient
M.P.A, Atlanta University
B.S., Howard University
Theology & Ministry Certificate: Princeton Theological Seminary - Princeton University
Doctor of Philosophy Organizational Psychology - Walden University
Management Development Levels 1, 2 & 3 (University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government)
Industrial Organizational Psychology
Positive Psychology
Internships in Psychology
Community Psychology
Introduction to Psychological Sciences 201
Introduction to Psychological Sciences 202
Honors Psychology 203
Senior Seminar
General Psychology for Non-Majors
First Year Experience
Supervised Fieldwork
Areas of Interests: Positive Psychology; Employee Job Satisfaction; Conflict Mediation & Resolution in the Workplace; Employee & Organizational Benefits of Telecommuting; Workplace Stress; Employee Motivation; Employee Morale; and Organizational Culture
Industrial Organizational Psychology; Leadership Development; Positive Psychology, Community Psychology; General Psychology; Community Relations; Conflict Mediation & Resolution in the Workplace; Employee and Organizational Benefits of Telecommuting; Organizational Culture; Motivational Speaker, Workplace Stress; Job Satisfaction; Employee Motivation; Employee Morale; Organizational Development
Areas of Expertise: Dr. Francis is an expert at facilitating positive transformation in individuals, small groups and organizations. She is most fulfilled when teaching and offering hope to people who believe they have no hope.