Albany State University, the historically Black educational institution in Georgia, has announced a large number of high-level appointments to administrative positions at the educational institution.
Abiodun Ojemakinde, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Albany State, said that “we are grateful for the cadre of highly qualified professionals we recruited and appointed to assist us in our endeavor to best serve our students and the people of Southwest Georgia. We are also appreciative of the faculty, staff, and students who served on the various committees and assisted us to search and recruit these excellent professionals.”
Here are brief biographies of the new appointees:
Paul Bryant was named associate provost for enrollment management. Dr. Bryant has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. He earned a master’s degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA and doctorate in higher education administration and leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Louise Wrensford was appointed associate provost for research and sponsored programs and dean of the Graduate School. She joined the faculty at the university in 1999 and is a professor of chemistry. Dr. Wrensford is a graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands. She holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Danette Saylor was named vice president for student affairs and success. She is the former director of the Center for Disability Access and Resources at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. Dr. Saylor holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counselor education from Florida A&M University. She earned a Ph.D. in rehabilitation counseling at Florida State University.
Kellei Samuels is the new assistant vice president for institutional effectiveness, research and strategic planning. She was the director of assessment and planning at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Dr. Samuels is a graduate of Jackson State University in Mississippi, where she majored in political science. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from Mississippi State University and a doctorate in urban higher education administration from Jackson State University.
Alicia Jackson was named dean of the College of Business. She is the former dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania and former dean of the College of Business and Information Science at Tuskegee University in Alabama. Dr. Jackson is a graduate of Knox College in Illinois, where she majored in mathematics. She holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in finance and quantitative methods from the University of Texas at Austin.
Thomas Thompson was appointed interim dean of the College of Education. He was the Ph.D. specialization coordinator for Walden University in Minneapolis. Dr. Thompson is the former dean of the School of Graduate Studies at South Carolina State University. Dr. Thompson holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, a master’s degree in secondary education and a doctorate in education, all from the University of Illinois.
Stephanie Lawrence is the new director of financial aid at Albany State. Lawrence has a bachelor’s degree in management from Hodges University in Fort Myers, Florida. She holds a master’s degree in human resources from Barry University in Miami and is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education leadership.
Angelyn Lincey was appointed director of the Early Learning Center at the university. The Early Learning Center serves as a daycare operation but is also a teaching facility for Albany State students who are studying to be daycare professionals. Lincey is a graduate of Albany State University and holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from Ashford University in San Diego, California.
Saundrette Moody was named interim director for Title III programs. She has been on the staff at the university of 25 years and most recently was associate director for Title III programs. Moody is a graduate of Albany State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.
