Coppin State University, the historically Black educational institution in Baltimore, has the announced the promotion of three Black scholars to the rank of full professor.
“At Coppin, our faculty are the foundation of student success and academic excellence,” said Anthony L. Jenkins, president of Coppin State University. “Their dedication to teaching, scholarship, mentorship, and service helps transform lives every day. These promotions recognize years of hard work, commitment, and meaningful contributions to our students, our university, and our community.”
“These faculty members have demonstrated excellence in their fields and a deep commitment to our students and the university,” added Chanta M. Haywood, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Their achievements strengthen Coppin’s academic reputation and advance our mission of educational excellence.”
Khadijah Ali-Coleman was named a full professor of humanities. She is a playwright, poet, and singer/songwriter who has presented her work publicly in venues throughout the country. Dr. Ali-Coleman is author of several poetry collections, including A Park Stands on All of Our Graves (Black Writers for Peace & Social Justice, 2025). She is co-editor of the book Homeschooling Black Children in the US: Theory, Practice, and Popular Culture (Information Age Publishing, 2022). She has served as Poet Laureate of Prince George’s County, Maryland. Dr. Ali-Coleman is a graduate of the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She holds a master’s degree in mass communication from Towson University and an educational doctorate from Morgan State University in Baltimore.
Johnny Rice was appointed professor of criminal justice in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. He is also a research fellow for the Bishop L. Robinson Sr. Justice Institute, where he is leading student research teams exploring issues such as gun violence, domestic violence, and juvenile delinquency. Before joining the Coppin faculty, he worked as a senior program associate at the Vera Institute of Justice in New York City. Before joining Vera, he worked as a public administrator for the Maryland Department of Human Services. Dr. Rice holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from the University of Baltimore. He holds a doctorate in public health from Morgan State University.
David Scott was promoted to full professor of humanities. He is the coordinator of the philosophy program at the university. Dr. Scott’s research traverses the intersections of epistemology and ontology and extends into the sociopolitical realms of race and postcolonial thought. He is the author of Gilbert Simondon’s Psychic and Collective Individuation: A Critical Introduction and Guide (Edinburgh University Press, 2014) and editor of Understanding Foucault, Understanding Modernism (Bloomsbury Academic, 2017). Dr. Scott is a graduate of the University of Chicago, where he majored in English literature. He holds a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in French and German continental philosophy from the University of Memphis.
