Appointments & Awards

Three Black Professors Who Have Been Granted Prestigious Faculty Titles

Tamara Taggart and Oumar Ba have been selected for endowed faculty appointments at Rutgers University and Cornell University, respectively. Columbia University has named Farah Jasmine Griffin a University Professor, the institution's highest faculty designation.

Morgan State University Graduate Students Win Top Prize at National Innovation Venture Competition

A team of four Morgan State University graduate students have recently won $100,000 in seed funding for their project, AgroVision. The award-winning venture is as scalable AI-integrated smart farming system that aims to tackle food insecurity, climate volatility, and resource scarcity in framing.

Eight Black Administrators Taking on New Positions in Academia

Here is this week’s roundup of African Americans who have been appointed to new administrative positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to [email protected].

New Academic Appointments for Four Black Professors

Faculty members Amelia Kraehe at the University of Arizona, Desmond Stephens at Virginia State University, Elizabeth Carter at Seton Hall University, and Cedric Merlin Powell at Howard University are taking on new assignments.

Cato Laurencin Lauded for Contributions to the West Indian Foundation

Dr. Laurencin, professor at the University of Connecticut, has been a dedicated supporter of the West Indian community. In 2015, the West Indian Foundation presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Earlier this year, Dr. Laurencin was knighted by King Charles III of England through the Governor-General of St. Lucia.

Seven Black Administrators Selected for New Roles at HBCUs

The new administrators are Debra Clark Jones at Bennett College, Thaddeus Fairley at Alcorn State University, Brendan Johnson at Benedict College, Samantha Hutchinson at Savannah State University, Robert Muhammad at North Carolina A&T State University, Damian Thomas at Elizabeth City State University, and Rick Jackson at Talladega College.

A Trio of New Administrators Join South Carolina State University

Tiera Williams has been named director of residence life and housing; Rocky Simmons has been appointed director of corporate, foundation, and community relations; and Cardan Williams has been named major gift officer and planned giving coordinator.

Rutgers University Has Appointed Two Black Scholars to Prestigious Professorships

Wanda Blanchett has been named a University Professor at Rutgers-New Brunswick and John Keene has been named a Board of Governors Professor of English at Rutgers-Newark.

Three Black Professors Have Been Recognized by PEN America

PEN America has honored Frank X Walker of the University of Kentucky, Kali Nicole Gross of Emory University in Atlanta, and Charles Henry Rowell of Texas A&M University for their achievement in poetry, African American history, and magazine editing, respectively.

New Leadership Appointments for Four Black Administrators in Higher Education

Chris Brown is taking on a new role in athletics at Colorado College, ClarLynda Williams-DeVane was appointed to a research director position at East Carolina University, Sydney Burt has received a promotion in student services at Martin University in Indianapolis, and Eugene Diggs will lead the Delaware State University bands.

New Academic Appointments for Three Black Educators at HBCUs

Kisha Cunningham Aites and Archie Williams have been selected for associate dean roles at Savannah State University and Alcorn State University, respectively. Bracy Martin has been appointed interim director of bands at Elizabeth City State University.

Yale’s Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Wins the Tony Award for Best Play

Professor Jacobs-Jenkins recent win for his drama, Purpose, makes him the first Black playwright to receive the Tony Award for Best Play since 1987. Additionally, he is now the first Black playwright to win back-to-back Tony Awards. Last year, his play Appropriate won Best Revival of a Play.

A Trio of Black Leaders Appointed to New Administrative Roles in Higher Education

Andre Payne, Jessie Grant, and Janel Forde are taking on new roles at Talladega College, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and the University of Colorado Boulder, respectively.

New Faculty Appointments for Three Black Professors

Olaoluwatoni Alimi and Francis Tsiboe have joined the faculties of Princeton University and North Dakota State University, respectively. Barbara McCaskill has been promoted to distinguished research professor at the University of Georgia.

UNC’s Becky White Receives Citation Award from the HIV Medical Association

Dr. White, an associate professor in the division of infectious diseases at the UNC School of Medicine, was recognized for her pioneering research and leadership in improving care and reducing health disparities among prisoners with HIV.

A Trio of Black Leaders Appointed to Administrative Positions at HBCUs

The appointments are Kery Davis at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Yolanda Robinson at Alcorn State University in Mississippi, and Casey Davis at Prairie View A&M University in Texas.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Wins the Newberry Library Award

Throughout his long career in academia, Dr. Gates has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding the genealogical history of African Americans. His work has resulted in dozens of books, documentaries, and the popular "Finding Your Roots" series on PBS.

Three Black Administrators Taking on New Roles at Universities

Aaron Dixon, Dwane Sterling, and Alison Chandler are taking on new leadership roles at Alabama A&M University, Virginia Tech, and Saint Xavier University, respectively.

Temple University’s Kymberlee Norsworthy Inducted Into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame

Norsworthy, an assistant professor at Temple University, is being recognized for her work elevating faith-based recording artists to mainstream media outlets.

Three Black Scholars Taking on New Appointments in Higher Education

The academics taking on new positions are Percy Mack at South Carolina State University, Ronett Jacobs at Alverno College in Milwaukee, and Stephen Philip Harvey at Salisbury University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's joint public radio station.
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O. John Maduko to Lead the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System

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“CSCU’s public colleges and universities stand at a pivotal moment — one filled with both challenge and tremendous opportunity,” said Dr. Maduko. “Higher education must be a bridge to opportunity, equity, and lifelong transformation — and together, we must ensure those doors remain wide open to all.”

Daryl Minus is the New President of Eastern Shore Community College in Virginia

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“ESCC is an exceptional institution, with a dynamic history of creating expanded learning and earning pathways for the citizens of [Virginia's] Accomack and Northampton counties,” said Dr. Minus. “I am honored to join this vibrant community and prioritize strategic efforts that position students for success and enhanced economic mobility.”

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