Dereck Rovaris Sr. was named vice provost for diversity at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He has been serving as associate vice chancellor for academic and multicultural affairs at the university’s Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.
Dr. Rovaris is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he tripled majored in psychology, human development and family life, and crime and delinquency studies. He holds a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Xavier University in New Orleans and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Illinois.
Beverly L. Downing was appointed interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. She has been serving as associate provost for undergraduate education and assistant vice president for academic affairs since last August.
Dr. Downing is a graduate of Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. She holds a master’s degree in education from Hampton University in Virginia and a doctorate in pedagogy from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.
Kimathi Choma will serve as interim assistant dean for diversity, recruitment, and retention for the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University. For the past six years, Dr. Choma has been an administrator for the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Choma is graduate of Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. He also holds a master of public health degree from Kansas State University.
