Albert Bimper was appointed executive dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of North Texas, effective July 1. Dr. Bimper is a professor in the department of ethnic studies at Colorado State University. He has served as senior associate athletic director for diversity and inclusion, executive director for the College of Liberal Arts, interim chief of staff in the Office of the President, and most recently, interim director of the School of Education in the College of Health and Human Sciences.
Dr. Bimper earned a bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science at Colorado State University, where he was a four-year starter on the football team. He went on to play in the National Football League where he won a Super Bowl ring with the Indianapolis Colts. Following his NFL career, Dr. Bimper earned a master’s degree in health and kinesiology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction at the University of Texas at Austin.
Ruth A. Hodges has been named dean of the library and information services at South Carolina State University’s Miller F. Whittaker Library. She has served as interim dean since 2016. Prior to coming to South Carolina State University, Dr. Hodges worked at the National Institutes of Health, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Academy of Sciences, Howard University, and the District of Columbia General Hospital.
Dr. Hodges is a graduate of South Carolina State University, where she majored in biology. She holds a master of library and information science degree and a master’s degree in biology from Atlanta University and a Ph.D. in information studies from Florida State University.
Justin R. Smith was appointed associate vice president for student well-being and dean of students at Goucher College in Baltimore. He most recently served as the assistant dean for student life at Princeton University. Earlier, Dr. Smith served in various residential life roles at Nova Southeastern University, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Stanford University.
Dr. Smith is a graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa. He earned a master’s degree in education from Valdosta State University in Georgia and an educational doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.
