Two State Universities in the South Name African American Provosts

The University of Oklahoma announced the appointment of André-Denis Wright as senior vice president and provost for its flagship campus in Norman. He will begin his new duties on July 1.

Dr. Wright currently serves as dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences at Washington State University. Before arriving at Washington State, Dr. Wright held an endowed chair at the University of Arizona and was director of the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Earlier, he served as a department chair and professor of animal science at the University of Vermont.

A native of Canada, Wright earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He holds a master’s degree and his Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Guelph in Ontario.

Monica Terrell Leach was appointed provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. She will begin her new job on June 1.

Dr. Leach has been serving as senior associate vice chancellor for enrollment management and academic affairs at North Carolina Central University in Durham. Earlier, Dr.Leach served at North Carolina State University for nearly 18 years in many capacities, including assistant dean for academic affairs and director of diversity programs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, assistant vice provost for enrollment management, and associate professor and interim chair for the department of social work.

Dr. Leach holds a bachelor’s degree in business education from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She earned a master’s degree in adult and community college education, and a doctorate in higher education administration from North Carolina State University.

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