Dereck Rovaris Named President of American Association of Blacks in Higher Education

Dereck J. Rovaris Sr., vice provost for diversity at Louisiana State University, has been named president of the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE). The AABHE aims to enhance leadership development and to assess vital issues concerning African Americans in higher education. The association also provides its members with networking and collaboration opportunities throughout the United States and the world.

Dr. Rovaris began his career in higher education as a financial aid counselor at Xavier University of Louisiana. After earning graduate degrees, he returned to the university to serve as assistant dean of the graduate school, director of graduate school placement, and assistant professor within the graduate school. He also directed two nationally recognized student enrichment programs: the McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program and the SuperScholar/EXCEL program.

Later in his career, Dr. Rovaris went on to serve as a presidential fellow with the American Council on Education at DePaul University in Chicago. In 2010, he became associate vice chancellor for academic and multicultural affairs at the Louisiana State University Heath Sciences Center in New Orleans. In May 2014, he was named to his currently position as vice provost for diversity at Louisiana State University.

Dr. Rovaris is a graduate of the University of Kansas where he triple 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 of Louisiana and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Illinois.

Related Articles

3 COMMENTS

  1. Well Deserved!!! Dr. Rovaris is a TRUE leader among us all. We are truly happy for him an expect him to lead AABHE to higher levels of success.

  2. Dr. Rovaris is a phenomenal leader and visionary! He believes in student advocacy and developing leadership skills in others. Looking forward to serving in AABHE under his leadership.

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

Howard University Achieves R1 Status While North Carolina A&T State University Falls Short

Howard University has received the prestigious R1 Carnegie Classification, making the institution eligible for major federal grants. NCA&T University narrowly missed the achievement, averaging just three less annual doctoral graduates than the classification's requirements.

Three Black Scholars Selected for Endowed Faculty Positions

The new endowed professors are Eddie Chambers at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Stefanie Dunning at the University of Rochester in New York, and Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire at Harvard University.

North Carolina Central University Establishes Early Assurance Program With the UNC School of Pharmacy

Students at North Carolina Central University now have the opportunity to apply to an early assurance program for the doctor of pharmacy degree program at the University of North Carolina's Eshelman School of Pharmacy, the top-ranked pharmacy school in the United States.

Five Black Administrators Taking on New Roles at HBCUs

The appointments are Anthony Neal at Florida A&M University, Tara Cunningham at Dillard University in New Orleans, David Camps at North Carolina A&T State University, Michael Meyers at Paine College in Georgia, and Sidney Brown at Tuskegee University in Alabama.

Featured Jobs