Xavier University of Louisiana, the historically Black educational institution in New Orleans that is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, has announced the promotion of eight faculty members. Four of these promotions went to Black scholars.
Lamartine Meda was appointed a full professor of chemistry. He has been on the faculty at Xavier University since 2008. Earlier, he taught for two years as a visiting professor at Auburn University in Alabama. Dr. Meda is a graduate of Salem State University in Massachusetts. He earned a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Northeastern University in Boston.
Circecie Olatunji was promoted to full professor of education and counseling. She also serves as the director of the Center for Traumatic Stress Research. She joined the faculty at Xavier University in 2015 after teaching at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Olatunji is past president of the American Counseling Association. A graduate of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where she majored in drama, Professor Olatunji earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in counselor education from the University of New Orleans.
Anderson Sunda-Meya was promoted to full professor of physics. He holds bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in physics from North Carolina State University. Fluent in seven languages, Dr. Sunda-Meya also holds degrees in philosophy and theology from the Pontifica Gregoriana Universita in Rome, Italy and Saint Peter Canisius Institute in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He also earned a master’s degree in philosophy and letters from University of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Brian Turner was named an associate professor of psychology at Xavier University of Louisiana. He also serves as the director of African American and Diaspora Studies at the university. Dr. Turner is a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he majored in psychology. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Jackson State University in Mississippi.
