New Administrative Positions in Higher Education for Nine African Americans

Imaani El-Burki has been named assistant dean and director of the Intercultural Center at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. She most recently served as dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She returns to Swarthmore after previously serving as a graduate intern at the college’s Black Cultural Center in 2008.

Dr. El-Burki is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, where she majored in communication. She holds a master’s degree in communication and a Ph.D. in communication, culture, and media both from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Latoyia Smith has been promoted to retention specialist in the Office of Academic Affairs at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. She previously served as an administrative assistant in the registrar’s office at the university.

Smith holds an MBA from Alcorn State University.

Darrien Davenport has been named senior director of student services at Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg. He was the executive director for the Office of Multicultural Engagement at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Davenport is a graduate of West Chester University in Pennsylvania, where he majored in economics. He holds a master’s degree in leadership and business ethics from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and a doctorate in higher education administration from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Deidra Hill has been named vice president for government relations and external affairs at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania. She previously served as the university’s vice president for marketing and external relations.

Dr. Hill is a graduate of South Carolina State University where she majored in English. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and public affairs from American University in Washington, D.C., and a doctorate in higher education administration from Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Steven J. Jones has been named vice president for administrative services at Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead. He most recently served as executive director of Title III and sponsored grants at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi.

Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies and a master’s degree in higher education administration both from Mississippi College in Clinton. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Tony Moore has been named chief information officer at Prairie View A&M University in Texas. He was vice president for technology administration at Xavier University of Louisiana.

Moore is a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he majored in computer science. He holds a master’s degree in computer science from Louisiana State University.

Janetta McDowell has been named director of first-year and transition experiences at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She has been serving the university as director of Rose Float operations since 2015.

McDowell is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona. She holds a master’s degree in counseling with an emphasis in student development from California State University, Long Beach.

Daryl K. Love has been named associate vice president for career and professional development at Kentucky State University. He has worked for Valvoline for the past 28 years, most recently as manager of community relations.

Love is a graduate of Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee, where he double-majored in mathematics and computer science. He holds an MBA from Midway University in Kentucky.

Jim Wims has been named interim director of the Gatton Student Center at the University of Kentucky. He most recently served as the senior assistant provost in the University of Kentucky’s Office of Student and Academic Life, a position he’s held since 2016.

Before joining the staff at the University of Kentucky, Wims held student affairs leadership positions at Kent State University in Ohio and Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.

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