When Tameca Harris-Jackson was a freshman at Old Dominion University in Virginia, one of her dormitory mates came bursting into her room, crying inconsolably. β€œShe said she was pregnant,” says Harris-Jackson, who teaches social work at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½. β€œShe didn’t know what she was going to do about it.”

As Harris-Jackson listened to the young woman, her tale unfolded. It became clear there was no way she could have been pregnant. The β€œevent” had happened just the night before, and impregnation would not have been possible.

She calmed the young woman, and gave her a mini-human sexuality lesson. It became clear that this young woman was not alone in her beliefs – or lack of beliefs – about all the workings of the human reproductive system. β€œI felt like I needed to do something,” Harris-Jackson says.

It was a defining moment for Harris-Jackson.

She became the unofficial resident expert on human sexuality to her peers, answering questions from persons of all backgrounds. She heard, β€œHow does one get pregnant?” all too frequently. Harris-Jackson says questions were occasionally accompanied by a snicker or a guffaw. She always tried to answer them in the manner she had gleaned from her unofficial mentor, Ruth Westheimer, a talk-show host who gained fame for bringing discussions about sex and sexuality to radio and television.

Soon, it became clear there was a need in all society for more resources about sex and sexuality. As she was pursuing her master’s and doctoral degrees, Harris-Jackson would still get questions from people who wanted to know why she wanted to be a sex therapist – a totally different area of study. Today, she’s a licensed clinical social worker and a certified sexuality expert.

Not much has changed in the 20 years or so since she was an undergraduate student. β€œPeople are hungry for information about sexuality at any age,” Harris-Jackson says.

In her presentations to students, Harris-Jackson’s professionalism and non-judgmental demeanor offer the assurance that no question that is asked will be mocked or disregarded.

β€œDr. HJ is so excited about what she teaches, that it draws you in. You don’t want the experience to end,” says Nicole Smith. β€œShe showed the importance of being able to be open about speaking about sexuality at whatever age.”

In her recent LINK (Learning and Interacting with New Knights) presentation at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, β€œSex and the Senses,” Harris-Jackson discussed the five senses while simultaneously educating students and participants on safer-sex practices. About 70 students attended the event, says Gabe Martinez ’16, sexual wellness coordinator for .

β€œDr. Tameca really goes into the chemistry of the aphrodisiacs,” Martinez says. With tastings of chocolate, strawberries and honey, Harris-Jackson encouraged the students to be aware of the role their senses play in sensuous settings.

β€œI was blown away by her presentation,” Martinez says. β€œShe was funny, engaging, knowledgeable and approachable. The students fell in love with her teaching style.”

Harris-Jackson also has twice taken ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ students abroad to Amsterdam, where, as part of a comprehensive program she developed, they are exposed to that culture’s open approach to sexuality. In Amsterdam, Harris-Jackson explained, issues related to sex and sexuality are part of school curriculums from kindergarten on up.

β€œThis trip greatly prepared me for my future in social work,” says Felicia Bender. β€œI tried to train myself mentally before the trip to understand that I’m about to be in a different culture entirely.”

Harris-Jackson is planning a study-abroad program to Thailand next year. All interested students are invited to find out about the program at .