Three African Americans Appointed to Administrative Roles at Universities

Norris “EJ” Edney III has been appointed associate dean of students for belonging and communities at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He comes to his new role from Talladega College in Alabama, where he served as vice president and deputy chief of staff. Previously, he was director of the Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement and assistant vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion at the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Edney is a three-time graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biological science with minors in chemistry and psychology, a master’s degree in higher education and student personnel, and a doctorate in higher education.

Seyvion Scott has been named the student engagement librarian in learning and academic engagement at Syracuse University Libraries. She previously held librarian roles with Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, and Medaille University Library in Buffalo, New York.

Scott is a graduate of the University of Rochester, where she majored in African and African American studies. She holds a master’s degree in information science with a concentration in library and information services from the University at Albany of the State University of New York System.

Robert Owens has been appointed senior executive for access and community outreach in the Office of Access, Belonging, and Community Outreach at Tennessee Tech University. He has been an administrator with the university for two decades, currently serving as the inaugural chief diversity officer. His prior positions include director of minority affairs and assistant vice president for student affairs.

Dr. Owens holds four degrees from Tennessee Tech University; a bachelor’s degree, an MBA, a doctor of education degree, and a Ph.D.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

In Memoriam: Archie Wade, 1939-2025

Hired as the university's first Black faculty member in 1970, Archie Wade taught in the College of Education at the University of Alabama for 30 years.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

AAUP Urges Institutions to Fund, Protect, and Publicize DEI Initiatives in Academia

The AAUP urges academic institutions to recruit and retain diverse faculty and student bodies and to "fund, protect, and publicize research in all fields that contributes to the common good and responds more widely to the needs of a diverse public."

In Memoriam: Ralphenia D. Pace

A scholar of food and nutritional sciences, Dr. Pace taught at Tuskegee University in Alabama for more than 40 years.

Featured Jobs