Judette Louis has been appointed dean of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University. She comes to her new appointment from the University of South Florida, where currently serves as the James M. Ingram Professor, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology, and director of the USF Health Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center Obstetrical Satellite Programs. Her academic and clinical career has focused on improving outcomes for mothers and babies.
Dr. Louis earned her master of public health degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and her medical degree from what is now the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Kimberly Poole has been promoted to associate vice president and dean of students at Clemson University in South Carolina. A Clemson administrator since 2005, she most recently served as assistant vice president and senior associate dean of students. Earlier, she was the inaugural director of the university’s Office of Advocacy and Success.
A three-time Clemson alumna, Dr. Poole holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in counseling and guidance services, and a doctorate in educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education.
Matthew Johnson-Roberson has been named the inaugural dean of the College of Connected Computing at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Currently, he serves as a professor of computer science and director of the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His research focuses on developing robotic systems capable of operating in complex dynamic environments.
Dr. Johnson-Roberson earned his Ph.D. from the University of Sydney in Australia.
MarQuita Barker has been named vice president of student life and dean of students at Davidson College in North Carolina. She comes to her new role from Knox College in Galesberg, Illinois, where she has served as vice president for student development. Prior to assuming her current role in 2022, she held various administrative roles at Elon University in North Carolina.
Dr. Barker holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She received an MBA from Elon University and a doctorate in leadership and learning in organizations from Vanderbilt University.
Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz has been appointed dean of Barnard Library. She comes to Barnard College from the division of libraries at New York University, where she has served as the associate dean for teaching, learning, and engagement since 2020. Prior to her current role, she was head of reference for the City University of New York Graduate Center.
Smith-Cruz received her bachelor’s degree in queer women’s studies from the City University of New York. She holds a master of library science degree in archiving and records management and a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from CUNY’s Queens College.
Yarneccia Dyson has been appointed dean of the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston. Currently, she serves as executive director and head of the School of Social Work at North Carolina State University. She previously held both academic and administrative roles with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina.
Dr. Dyson earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in social work from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in social work policy, planning, and administration from Clark Atlanta University.
