Toya Corbett has been appointed associate vice president for strategic initiatives for student affairs at the University of Virginia. Dr. Corbett previously served as the assistant vice president for student affairs for the University of North Carolina System. Earlier, she was the assistant vice chancellor and dean of students at North Carolina Central University and executive director for student engagement and leadership.
After completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Corbett earned a master’s degree in African American studies and a Ph.D. in history, both from Morgan State University in Baltimore.
Josiah J. Sampson, III is the new vice president for enrollment management at Jackson State University in Mississippi. He most recently served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Earlier, Dr. Sampson served as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Dr. Sampson received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Jackson State University and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. He holds a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Tennessee State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Alabama. Dr. Sampson earned a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Meharry Medical College in Nashville with a research focus in cancer biology.
Manicia J. Finch has been named vice president for enrollment management at South Carolina State University. She was dean of enrollment management at Harris Stowe State University in St. Louis, Missouri. Earlier, Dr. Finch served as associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Dr. Finch earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing from Alabama A&M University. She holds a master’s degree in higher education and a doctorate in educational leadership and management from Capella University.
Pierre D. Joanis will be the next vice president for human resources at Johns Hopkins Univerity in Baltimore, effective March 1. Joanis has served since 2014 as vice president for human resources at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Bucknell, he was a human resources officer at Princeton University in New Jersey.
A native of New York City, Joanis earned a bachelor’s degree in labor studies at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland. He holds an MBA from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania
Akirah J. Bradley-Armstrong will serve as the next vice chancellor for the division of student affairs and success at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her first day will be May 16. She currently serves as vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Colorado Boulder. She joined the staff there in 2016 as dean of students and associate vice chancellor.
Dr. Akirah holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mansfield University in Pennsylvania. She earned a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs administration from the University of Vermont and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of California, Davis.
Ava Willis-Barksdale was appointed vice president for institutional advancement at Lincoln Univerity in Pennsylvania. She will also serve as executive director of the Lincoln University Foundation. The appointment is effective January 24. She has been serving as associate vice president for advancement at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania.
Willis-Barksdale is a graduate of Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, where she majored in medical technology. She earned a master’s degree in health science education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Congrats to all!