Ashley Conner was named vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida. She first joined the university’s athletics administration team in July 2023 as the associate athletic director for student services and senior woman administrator. Earlier, she was the university’s executive director of student success and retention.
Conner holds a bachelor of social work degree from North Carolina Central University and a master’s degree in sport administration from Delaware State University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Alabama A&M University.
Erin Wiggins Gilliam has been named vice provost for student academic progression at Albany State University in Georgia. With over two decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Gilliam has held several key administrative positions with Kentucky State University, including associate provost for academic affairs, assistant vice president for student success, dean of graduate studies, and dean of the Honors College.
Dr. Gilliam is an alumna of Kentucky State University. She earned her Ph.D. in American history from the University of Kentucky.
Aristide J. Collins Jr. is senior vice president and secretary to the board of trustees at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Collins brings over three decades of experience in higher education, institutional advancement, philanthropy, and executive administration to his new role. Previously, he was executive vice president and chief administrative officer at the Strada Education Foundation in Indianapolis. Dr. Collins has also held leadership roles with Clark Atlanta University and George Washington University.
Dr. Collins received his bachelor’s degree from California State University, East Bay. He holds a master of public administration degree from California State University, Long Beach, and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University in California.
Jalen R. Baker is associate vice president of student engagement at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. Throughout his career, Baker has held roles with several other institutions in North Carolina, including Shaw University, Saint Augustine’s University, Guilford College, and North Carolina Central University. In his new role, he will lead initiatives that promote academic and personal success for students.
Baker received his bachelor’s degree in childhood education and family relations and his master of public administrative degree from North Carolina Central University.
Leslie D. Rose has been promoted to associate vice president for university communications at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. Prior to her interim appointment, she served as the university’s director of advancement communication. In addition to her higher education career, Rose also works as a freelance journalist.
Rose is an alumna of Xavier University of Louisiana, where she majored in mass communication.
Marc DeWitt is director of the Office of the Student Ombudsman at Central State University in Ohio. With over two decades of higher education experience, DeWitt has a background in admissions, housing, student activities, conduct, academic affairs, and executive leadership. His prior leadership experience includes service as director of the Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and associate provost and director of academic affairs at Wilberforce University in Ohio.
DeWitt received his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University.
