Damara Hightower Mitchell has been appointed chief executive officer of the Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation at historically Black Voorhees University in South Carolina. With over three decades of education, public service, and nonprofit experience, she currently serves as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Voorhees University. She will step down from her current role to focus full-time on the center’s operations.
Dr. Hightower Mitchell is a graduate of historically Black Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, where she majored in English education. She holds a master of education degree in K-12 educational leadership and supervision from the University of Southern Mississippi and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of South Carolina.
Michael L. McFrazier has been named the inaugural senior vice president for strategy and transformation at historically Black Prairie View A&M University in Texas. He has been with the university since 1998, holding numerous faculty and administrative positions including dean of the College of Education, interim provost, and interim president.
Dr. McFrazier is a three-time graduate of Baylor University in Texas where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music, a master’s degree in music performance, and a second master’s degree in educational leadership and administration. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from the University of Arkansas.
Tamara K. Taylor has been appointed director of the Career and Professional Development Center at historically Black Florida A&M University. She recently served as director of career coaching and senior associate director for career coaching and student belonging at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Taylor is an alumna of Florida A&M University where she received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. She holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Miami.
Tangelia Kelly has been named interim executive director of university communications at Jackson State University, a historically Black university in Mississippi. She has 16 years of experience in higher education marketing, currently serving as the university’s director of marketing.
Dr. Kelly is a two-time graduate of Jackson State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in marketing and a Ph.D. in educational administration and supervision. She earned an MBA from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi.
