Six African American Faculty Members Taking on New Roles or Assignments

Cymone Fourshey has been promoted to associate professor of history and international relations at Bucknell University. She has taught at Bucknell since 2015.

Dr. Fourshey holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Los Angeles.

David Emmanuel Goatley has been named a research professor of theology and Black church studies and director of the Office of Black Church Studies at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. He has previously taught at the Memphis Theological Seminary in Tennessee and the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

Dr. Goatley holds a bachelor’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Louisville. He earned a master of divinity degree in pastoral care and a Ph.D. in theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.

Michael K. Fauntroy has been named acting director of the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He has served as an associate professor of political science within the College of Arts and Sciences at the university since 2013.

Dr. Fauntroy holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hampton University in Virginia and a master’s degree in public affairs and a Ph.D. in political science from Howard University.

Tiffany Gayle Chenault has been promoted to full professor at Salem State University in Massachusetts, making her the only African-American woman full professor at the institution. She has taught at Salem State since 2005.

Dr. Chenault holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Ohio University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. both in sociology from Virginia Tech.

Desmond Patton has been awarded tenure as an associate professor in the Columbia School of Social Work. Before joining the faculty at Columbia University, he was an assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.

Dr. Patton holds bachelor’s degree in anthropology and political science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a master of social work degree in children, and youth and families from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in social service administration from the University of Chicago.

Patricia Williams Lessane has been appointed associate dean for strategic planning and community engagement at the College of Charleston Libraries, making her the first African American woman to serve as an associate dean at the college. In addition to her new role, she will continue to serve in her tenured faculty position and as executive director of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Dr. Williams Lessane holds a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Fisk University in Nashville, a master’s degree in liberal studies, African-American/Black studies, and Black feminist studies from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, and a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.