J. William Nicholas has been named director of bands at South Carolina State University. He comes to his new position from another HBCU, Tuskegee University in Alabama, where he also served as director of bands. Earlier, he was director of bands at Jones High School in Orlando.
Dr. Nicholas holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in music education from Florida State University, and a doctor of musical arts degree in wind conducting from the University of South Carolina.
DeVaria Hudson Ponton has been selected to serve as interim director of international student affairs at Grambling State University in Louisiana. She has over two decades of experience in enrollment management, student affairs, and international services. Her prior experience in academia includes service as director of international services and programs at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and director of multicultural affairs at Louisiana Tech University.
Dr. Ponton received her bachelor’s degree in public health administration from Dillard University in Louisiana. She holds a master’s degree in sports administration and a doctorate in student development and personnel services from Grambling State University.
Brian Dawsey is the new director of mentorship at Savannah State University in Georgia. He previously served the HBCU as director of admissions for 15 years. In his new role, he will focus on expanding and strengthening mentorship opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni.
Dawsey is an alumnus of Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong campus.
Arthur Vaughn has been appointed chief financial officer of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, he previously held leadership roles with Morehouse College in Atlanta, Morris College in South Carolina, Dillard University in New Orleans, and Morehouse School of Medicine. He is the author of Survivor’s Remorse: The Healing Power of Faith (Arthur Vaughn & Associates, 2020), which tells the story of his heart transplant journey and recovery.
Dr. Vaughn received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Syracuse University in New York, a master of public administration degree from Clark Atlanta University, a second master’s degree in accounting from Kennesaw State University in Georgia, and a doctorate from the University of Georgia.
