Dr . Cynthia Boyd , Vice President for Enrollment & Marketing

“ Research shows

that companies with

more diverse boards

and administrative

leadership ( CEOs )

perform better .”

With Dr . Kart as a past president , the GCA has been instrumental in promoting Chiropractic in Georgia , especially as an alternative to prescription pain management .

“ We had been trying to do something legislatively for opioids , as other states have done , getting Chiropractic as a first choice and not an alternative . I wrote the grant for the opioids and partnered with Life University ,” Dr . Kart recalled . “ That was the first time they had given a grant to a non-academic institution .”

At the 2019 GCA Luncheon , Dr . Kart received the Dr . William Harris Lifetime Achievement Award for her remarkable service over the years to the profession and her community . She credited Dr . Harris as being an integral part of “ saving ” Life University . “ It was a surreal moment that I was recognized and put in a category named after such a big icon of Chiropractic in Georgia .”

LIFE has made strides in terms of gender equality since she was a student , according to Dr . Kart .

“ I think Georgia and Life University are special places for women in Chiropractic . As a student , my role model was Dr . Nell Williams , and it made me realize that if she could do it , then I could do that , too ,” she said . “ I think you are going to see in the next generation of chiropractors a really different healing conscience with female practitioners out in the field .”

Dr . Kart is also a LIFEforce Tribe member who participates in events for current and future students .

“ With the State Networking Association and SABCA on campus , I ’ ve really been able to connect with a lot of young , female students . I remember how it was when I was there , I always wanted to find a successful female chiropractor that I could look up to . I hope that I am able to make an impact on the next generation of female chiropractors ,” she said .

“ I love those weekends because it ’ s great to be able to sit down at those tables and talk to those prospective students and their parents , to let them know that I went to school here .” Dr . Kart said she tells them , “ It ’ s safe , it ’ s warm , it ’ s a family — and even though I graduated many years ago , I ’ m back here because this is my family .”

Dr . Kart singled out Dr . Cynthia Boyd , Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing , as a role model for LIFE students . Dr . Boyd , who will celebrate her 25th anniversary at Life University in 2020 , recognizes diversity as “ hugely important .”

“ Research shows that companies with more diverse boards and administrative leadership ( CEOs ) perform better ,” Dr . Boyd said . “ Part of it is because of the decision making process . If you have a diverse group , you have all these different perspectives that can help you arrive at a better decision because of everyone ’ s different backgrounds . They bring different things to the table , so you get all kinds of knowledge and skillsets from that .”

Dr . Boyd highlighted one of the many ways that LIFE is leading the way .

“ We do know that we are the most diverse chiropractic college on the planet , so we are doing great with the student body ,” she said . “ Back when I was in school , it was 20-25 % women , and now it ’ s closer to 50 / 50 , so that ’ s huge . And they do predict in the future that women will have the higher percentage rate .”

She added , “ We all want to see someone like us succeeding in their field . It ’ s important for prospective students and prospective employees to see people at LIFE who are like them . I ’ m very proud of the diversity in Enrollment and , more , that they relish the opportunity to lead their areas and make things happen . I want our prospective students to hear from diverse voices at LIFE Leadership Weekends and Eagle Madness as well .

Dr . Boyd began working at LIFE in its Luckie Street Clinic in Midtown Atlanta , which was located close to where she practiced at the time .

“ I am not a graduate of LIFE , although I do feel like now with all my time here — in April it will be 25 years — and because I resonate so strongly with LIFE ’ s values ,” she said . When I heard about a faculty opening at LIFE , it sounded like a wonderful opportunity to create the perfect partnership between my background in education and my clinical experience . Since then , I have been honored to serve many needs at LIFE . So , for me , diversity at LIFE has included a wealth of diverse opportunities . My fondest wish is that LIFE continues its progress toward a truly inclusive environment that allows everyone to perform optimally . ”