Dr. René Rochester is a former full scholarship student athlete at the University of Texas, Austin.  She competed in both track and basketball in the late 1970’s and early 80’s. Her experience at Texas as she initially struggled academically, excelled athletically, and found a spiritual foundation in Christ moved her to become a teacher and coach.  She has been impacting students since 1984.  Her love for teaching in the classroom and the church setting has allowed her numerous opportunities to encourage youth and those who serve them. After eight years of teaching René returned to graduate school and earned her Master of Education degree in 1993 and in 1999, she became the first African American to earn a Doctor of Education degree with a concentration in Health Education Science from the University of Texas, Austin.  

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Dr. Rochester has served on the Board of Trustees for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is currently a Board member for Athletes in Action and Kids Across America. She continues to teach science and is the Director of Student Academic Support for Brentwood Academy, where she is affectionately known as Doc Roc. 

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Dr. René is also the founder and CEO of PHAT STAR (Preventative Holistic Adolescent Training: Serving Teens At Risk) Learning. Her passion for reaching and teaching at risk youth is a lived daily work.  Rochester has written several books, including her latest, “The Culturally-Wired Brain,” and is the founder of the Kaleo program at Kids Across America.

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Dr. Rochester lives in Franklin, Tennessee.