Five Black Women Who Have Been Appointed to Dean Positions at Universities Across the United States

Maria del Guadalupe Davidson has been appointed dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has been with West Virginia University for the past five years, currently serving as associate dean for faculty, interim director for the public administration program, and the Woodburn Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies.

Dr. Davidson is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University in New York, where she double-majored in English and political science. She received master’s degrees in English and communication studies and a doctorate in rhetoric from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Eboni Zamani-Gallaher has been named the Renée and Richard Goldman Dean of the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. She has served as the school’s interim dean for the past year. Prior to her interim appointment, she served as associate dean for equity, justice, and strategic partnerships for the School of Education.

Professor Zamani-Gallaher holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in experimental psychology from Western Illinois University. She earned a Ph.D. in educational organization and leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Maneka Deanna Brooks has been named dean of the College of Education at Portland State University in Oregon. She comes to her new position from Texas State University, where she served as associate dean for academic affairs and educator preparation.

Dr. Brooks received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in bilingual secondary education from Loyola Marymount University in California. She holds a Ph.D. in educational linguistics from Stanford University in California.

Sheara Jennings has been appointed dean of the School of Social Work at Howard University in Washington, D.C. She has been with the University of Houston for more than a decade, holding positions such as associate dean of doctoral education in the Graduate College of Social Work, the Humana Endowed Chair in Social Determinants of Health, and special assistant to the provost.

Dr. Jennings is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she majored in rehabilitation psychology. She holds a master of social work degree from Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. in social intervention research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Marcelle Haddix has been appointed dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For the past 16 years, she has worked at Syracuse University in New York, serving most recently as the associate provost for strategic initiatives.

Dr. Haddix is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she majored in secondary education. She holds a master’s degree in adult education from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a doctorate in education from Boston College.

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