LeNá Powe McDonald was appointed vice president for community impact at the University of Alabama. Her appointment marks a return to the university, where she previously worked in the Office of the President as director of internal affairs and UA System liaison. More recently, Dr. McDonald served as associate commissioner for academic relations for the Southeastern Conference. She has also served in leadership roles with the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and the Birmingham Business Alliance.
Dr. McDonald is a three-time graduate of the University of Alabama, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in community development and dance, her master’s degree in communication studies, and her doctorate in higher education administration.
Sean Lyn Sr. is the new chief human resources officer at Fort Valley State University in Georgia. Lyn has an extensive background leading human resources teams in higher education. He previously served in various leadership roles at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, including interim director, associate director of human resources, and director of human resources information systems.
Lyn earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and his master’s degree in organizational leadership from Bethune-Cookman University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education administration from Liberty University in Virginia.
Charles Small was appointed deputy director of athletics and chief strategy officer for athletics at Syracuse University in New York. Dr. Small comes to Syracuse from the University of Washington, where he served as senior associate athletic director for sport administration. Before that role, he was director of athletics at Valparaiso University in Indiana. Dr. Small has also worked for Iowa State University, the University of Arkansas, and the University of New Orleans.
Dr. Small is a three-time graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and his doctorate in education.
Patricia Smith was named chief operating officer at Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins, Texas. Most recently, Smith served as vice president of government travel for HotelPlanner.com. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles with various hospitality and travel organizations, including Continental Airlines, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, and IHG Hotels and Resorts.
Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Jarvis Christian University and an MBA with a concentration in hospitality from Louisiana State University at Shreveport. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in business administration at Liberty University in Virginia.
