TaJuan R. Wilson has been named vice chancellor and chief of staff at North Carolina A&T State University. He has over 20 years of experience in institutional strategy, governance, and executive leadership in higher education. Prior to his new role, Dr. Wilson served in various leadership positions with Georgia Southern University, the Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Iowa, and Missouri State University.
Dr. Wilson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas. He earned a master’s degree in leadership and human resources development from Louisiana State University, a master of public administration degree in government and nonprofit management from the Keller Graduate School of Management, and a doctorate in higher education administration and instructional leadership from Lindenwood University in Missouri.
Austin McDonald was named assistant dean of undergraduate studies and director of the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement at Florida State University. He has served as a program coordinator with the center for the past three years. Before joining the Florida State community, Dr. McDonald held key leadership and academic roles with Clemson University in South Carolina, Mercer University in Georgia, and Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Dr. McDonald is a graduate of Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he majored in English and secondary education. He holds a master’s degree in education from Mercer University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Clemson University.
Barry Pearson is vice president for finance and chief financial officer at Grambling State University in Louisiana. Pearson comes to the HBCU from Paramount Global, where he was vice president and head of finance for BET Media Group. In this role, he oversaw financial operations for the media division and advised executive leadership on strategy, investment, and performance. Earlier in his career, he practiced with the global accounting firm Ernst & Young.
Pearson is a graduate of Florida A&M University’s School of Business and Industry. He holds a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Virginia.
Altony Lee III is interim chief of staff at Florida A&M University. He previously served as the associate vice chancellor of public affairs for the State University System of Florida and the Florida Board of Governors. Earlier, he spent nine years as director of university relations at Florida Gulf Coast University. Dr. Lee also has prior teaching experience as an adjunct professor.
Dr. Lee earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida State University, a master’s degree in global and strategic communications from Florida International University, and doctorate in education from the University of Miami.
