Spartan News
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Abdul Seck/ Spartan Echo
After working for Hampton University, she moved to Norfolk State University. It was here she claimed, “Within the first three days here I knew I belonged.”
After four and a half years at Norfolk State, Pinkston has won the hearts of the faculty and students.
Two years after moving to NSU, she received the Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award from the Dean of the College of
Liberal Arts.
In August of this academic year, she was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award by Dr. Adams-Gaston. This does not end the dynamic professors’ list of achievements here at Norfolk State.
“I was awarded tenure within my fourth year here at Norfolk State,” Pinkston said, also
elevated to associate professor.
Not only has she gained many accolades being here, but she has also given time to help students by assisting in the establishment of the Sigma Alpha Pi chapter of the National Society for Leadership and Success.
She described, “The largest honors organization in our nation…we have more than 350 members in our chapter,” Pinkston said.
In her free time, Pinkston is a musician and can play up to nine instruments, including her voice. “I love my music,” she claimed, “I love to play and I love to read,” Pinkston said.
She also continues to work at her church as the minister of music.
Teaching was not always a passion for Pinkston, at age seven, she wanted to be a nurse like her mother. After witnessing a messy fall, Pinkston quickly realized that was not the profession for her.
Her father, on the other hand, was a retired English professor, and to this, she claimed, “I loved being able to write on the
chalkboard, but what really made me want to go into teaching was doing oral reports in school," Pinkston said.
"When I do my oral reports, I exude my personality.” The ability to attract her audience stuck with Dr. Pinkston as she is known for making learning interactive.
“I make sure whatever it is I’m going to teach there is a lot of fun to it…”
She believes that a good teacher is one who cares about the students and does not leave them behind.
She said, “My philosophy has always been to reach for the stars… and if you do not make it you might land in the clouds, but I never aim for the tree tops.”
Pinkston has acclimated herself to the Spartan family and has felt a part of the community
since her third day here.
"I knew I belonged. I am a Spartan and I bought season tickets to everything… you name it, I was there, and I still feel that way today,” Pinkston said.
Dr. Christina Pinkston is a professor in the College of liberal arts here at Norfolk State University. Born in Richmond, Virginia. She spent most of her life up north in Ohio, New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Dr. Pinkston earned her Ph.D. at 25 and began teaching immediately.
Dr. Pinkston's
Passion for Teaching
By Carlos Tankard