Three African Americans Who Are Stepping Down From University Positions

Dana Canedy, administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes at the Columbia University School of Journalism since 2017, is leaving the university to take a position as senior vice president and publisher at Simon and Schuster. Before coming to Columbia University, Canedy worked at The New York Times from 1996 to 2017, rising to the post of special adviser to the chief executive officer and executive editor. Earlier, she was a business reporter and served as Florida bureau chief.

Canedy is a native of Indianapolis and grew up in Kentucky. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kentucky.

Donzell Lee, former provost at Alcorn State University in Mississippi, has retired after working at the university for 45 years. During his tenure at Alcorn State, Dr. Lee served as a professor of music, chair of the department of fine arts, director of the Honors Curriculum Program, dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and interim associate vice president for the Office of Academic Affairs. He also was interim president of the university.

Dr. Lee is a graduate of Xavier University in New Orleans. He holds a master’s degree from Stanford University and a PhD. from Louisiana State University.

Alfonza Carter will retire effective July 31 after 40 years of service to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Carter has served the university since 1980 in a variety of positions. In September 2015, Carter returned to the role of director of athletics after spending over a year as vice president for administrative services. He has also served as assistant vice president for student affairs, dean of students, and coached several of the university’s athletic teams.

A native of Martinsville, Virginia, Carter is a 1973 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where he was an All-American in basketball.

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Al,

    I will miss you! I hope to see you soon when the Coronavirus is over. Take care and be safe.

    Cindy Brooks Parks

  2. Hello Shaw family,
    My name is Raul Novinte from Mozambique and Shaw University graduate class of 2005.
    I have known Dr Alfonza while I was in America and as student at Shaw. He is a very outstanding leader and a goo example for many of us who graduated from Shaw. Congratulations Dr. Alfonza, because of you today I am a Mayor in my country.

    Thank you for your careness and being kind .

    Raul Novinte
    Mayor of Nacala Port city

  3. Congratulations! Wishing you the best for a long, joyous, healthy, and happy retirement. We will miss you and hope to see you around. Best wishes! Stay safe, and stay healthy. God bless you. Peace!, Beejaye

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