Ten African Americans Who Have Been Named to New Administrative Positions in Higher Education

Connesia Handford has been named a diversity counseling and outreach specialist and staff psychologist with the Counseling and Mental Health Center at the University of Texas at Austin. She was a psychology intern at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Handford is a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master of science degree in clinical counseling psychology from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia, and a doctorate of psychology from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Majid Whitney was appointed the inaugural assistant vice president of campus community and inclusion at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. He was associate dean and director of the university’s Educational Opportunity Fund Programs.

Whitney holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College in Ohio and a master of social work degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Alanka Hayes Brown is the new president of the Eduardo J. Padrón Campus of Miami Dade College in Florida. Dr. Brown recently served as the vice president for academic and student affairs at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, Illinois. Earlier, she served as the associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of career programs at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Maryland.

Dr. Brown is a graduate of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida where she majored in political science. She holds a master’s degree from Florida State University and a master of public administration degree and a doctorate in higher education administration from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Cheryl Isaac has been named regional executive for Harrisburg Area Community College. Previously, she served as major gifts officer/associate director of development at Pennsylvania State University’s Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Issac holds a bachelor’s degree from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and a master’s degree in creative nonfiction from the University of Tampa.

Chris Davis was appointed associate vice chancellor for development at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. He was associate director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Davis is a graduate of North Carolina Central University. He holds a master’s degree in parks, recreation, and tourism management from North Carolina State University.

Roslyn Perry is the new registrar at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. For the past four years, Perry has been registrar at Ohio State University. Earlier, she was registrar at Morehead State University in Kentucky.

Perry is a graduate of Kent State University in Ohio, where she majored in individual and family studies. She holds a master’s degree in community health education from Cleveland State University.

August Mebane was appointed associate vice chancellor of human resources at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. Most recently, she served as the chief human resources officer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Adams School of Dentistry.

A native of Newark, Delaware, Dr. Mebane holds a bachelor’s degree in English and legal studies from the University of Delaware, a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Wilmington University, and a doctorate in organizational development and change from Colorado Technical University.

Jhanna Jean-Louis has been appointed assistant to the vice president for student affairs at Stockton University in Galloway Township, New Jersey. Most recently she was assistant director for student affairs at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Jean-Louis holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master of social work degree from Rutgers University and is currently completing work on an educational doctorate.

Jerel Drew was named director of athletics at the University of the Virgin Islands. Previously, Dr. Drew served as associate athletic director for compliance at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina.

Dr. Drew is a graduate of Brevard College in North Carolina where he majored in history. He earned a master’s degree in athletic coaching and a Ph.D. in sports management from Northcentral University.

Tiffany F. Boykin is the new chief compliance and fair practices officer at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Maryland. Dr. Boykin most recently served as dean of student engagement at the college. She joined the college in 2016 as assistant dean of student services.

Dr. Boykin is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she majored in communication. She earned a master’s degree in communications management from Towson University in Maryland, an educational doctorate from Morgan State University in Baltimore, and a juris doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law.