University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones Announces His Resignation
Nine years ago, Dr. Jones was named the first African American chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He will retire at the end of the current academic year, following a decade of enrollment growth, academic improvements, and successful fundraising.
Debra Haggins Appointed Inaugural Dean of the Hampton University School of Religion
Dr. Haggins is the first woman to serve as university chaplain at Hampton University. She will now serve as the inaugural dean of the recently established School of Religion.
Swarthmore College President Valerie Smith Receives Contract Extension
Valerie Smith was named president of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania in 2015. She will continue in her role through at least June 2027.
Jerry Wallace Appointed President of Potomac State College in West Virginia
Dr. Jerry Wallace comes to his new role from Danville Community College in Virginia, where he has served as president since 2022. Earlier in his career, he was president of the Hastings campus at Nebraska Central Community College.
James-Christian Blockwood Named President of the National Academy of Public Administration
Blockwood currently teaches in Syracuse University's Washington, D.C. program. He has vast experience in public service, previously holding leadership roles with the departments of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and Defense, as well as the Government Accountability Office.
Leslie Rodriguez-McClellon Named Seventeenth President of Arkansas Baptist College
Prior to her new role, Dr. Rodriguez-McClellon was the vice president of community relations and governmental affairs at Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh. She has a robust background in higher education, including service as the first African American president of Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota.
Lester Agyei McCorn Named President of Paine College in Georgia
"I am honored to accept the presidency of Paine College," said Dr. McCorn. "My acceptance originates from a place of deep respect and admiration for the legacy and significance of this historic institution. Connecting Paine College's historic past with a strategic vision for the future will catapult this institution into unparalleled prominence in American higher education."
Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy Named President of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
“I’m honored to take on this new role at AACTE, an organization with such a rich tradition of leadership, advocacy, and innovation,” Dr. Holcomb-McCoy said. She will assume her new role in January after eight years as dean of School of Education at American University.
Spelman College President Helene Gayle Announces Personal Leave of Absence
Effective immediately, Spelman College President Helene Gayle is on a personal leave of absence. The college did not specify the reason for her leave, nor her expected return date. Roz Brewer, former chair of Spelman's board of trustees, has been named interim president.
James Frazier Appointed President of the International Council for Arts Deans
James Frazier has decades of experience in higher education and professional dance performance. He currently serves as a full professor of dance and dean of the College of Fine Arts at Florida State University.
Sherita Johnson Appointed Director of the Africana Research Center at Pennsylvania State University
Sherita Johnson is a scholar of nineteenth-century African American literature and print culture. She has conducted extensive archival research on the experiences of Black writers, activists, and public intellectuals.
Leapetswe Malete Named President-Elect of the National Sport and Physical Activity Organization
The North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity has appointed Leapetswe Malete to the post of president-elect. The Michigan State associate professor will serve as president-elect for one year, followed by one year as president.
Joe Russell Appointed Dean of Students at Middlebury College in Vermont
Joe Russell is the new dean of students at Middlebury College. He previously spent nearly two decades at the University of Vermont, most recently serving as assistant dean of students.
JacQuene Rainey Appointed President of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson
Dr. Rainey has held both academic and administrative roles within the Tennessee College of Applied Technology system for the past 15 years. She assumed the presidency of the system's Jackson campus on October 1.
Two Scholars Selected for Dean Appointments at HBCUs
The new deans are Obadiah M. Njue at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and LaVie Leasure at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.
Jonathan Holloway to Step Down as President of Rutgers University
Rutgers University's first Black president, Jonathan Holloway, has announced his intent to step down at the conclusion of this academic year. While the university has experience significant enrollment and fundraising growth, Dr. Holloway has faced controversy around his response to pro-Palestine protests on campus.
A Change in Leadership at the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Florida...
Johnnie Early II, former dean of the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has stepped down from his role and returned to a full-time faculty position. Seth Ablordeppey, longtime FAMU professor, has been selected to serve as interim dean.
Ira Bates to Lead School of Business and Industry at Florida A&M University
Dr. Bates' new appointment as interim dean of the FAMU School of Business and Industry follows the reassignment of former dean, Shawnta Friday-Stroud, who returned to a full-time faculty position.
Andrea Hayes Dixon Named Chair of Federal Scientific Management Review Board
The Scientific Management Review Board supervises and reviews the operation of all scientific research programs within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Hayes Dixon will serve as board chair through June 2026.
Naronda Wright Elected First Black President of NAGAP, The Association for Graduate Enrollment Management
As a member of the NAGAP, The Associate for Graduate Enrollment, Dr. Wright held several positions with the organization prior to her new presidential election. She previously served as conference chair and vice president.
Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. to Lead Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta
"I am committed to continuing the mission of this beloved institution, standing on the shoulders of the trailblazing faculty who have shaped us into prophetic problem solvers," said Dr. Mason, interim president of the Interdenominational Theological Center.
Rolanda Horn Named Chair-Elect of NASPA’s Center for Women
The Center for Women within the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators was established in 2001 to bring attention to issues concerning women in higher education. Dr. Horn has served as a board member for the center for the past two years.
Joyce Brown Announces Her Retirement as First African American President of FIT
In 1998, Dr. Brown was appointed as the first woman and first African American president of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Throughout her 26-year tenure, FIT has created more than 30 new degree and certificate programs.
Roger Mitchell Named President of Howard University Hospital
Dr. Mitchell has extensive experience overseeing medical departments within the District of Columbia government and Howard University's College of Medicine. He currently serves as chief medical officer for the Howard University Faculty Practice Plan.
Tashni-Ann Dubroy Named First Black Woman Chair of the National Association of College and...
"I am immensely optimistic about the future of NACUBO," said Dr. Dubroy. "We’ve never been stronger, and I look forward to working with my fellow board members to strengthen the value we provide to our member institutions, and in turn, to the students they serve."
Alanka Brown Appointed CEO of Arizona State University’s California College
“I look forward to fostering a culture where students, faculty and staff can thrive academically, personally and professionally as their best selves," said Dr. Alanka Brown, newly appointed CEO and dean of Arizona State University's California College.
Benedict College President Roslyn Clark Artis Receives Seven-Year Contract Extension
"We are exceptionally proud and fortunate to have such a strong leader guiding the college to higher heights and through the numerous challenges facing higher education institutions today," stated Charlie W. Johnson, chair of the board of trustees of Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina.
Anita Thomas Resigns as President of North Central College
Anita Thomas has resigned as president of North Central College in Illinois after one year in the position. When she assumed her presidency in July 2023, she became the first-ever woman and person of color to lead the college.
Victor Brown Named Provost of Husson University in Maine
Dr. Brown, currently an associate provost with the City University of New York, is a 2023 recipient of the United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. He will begin his new role with Husson University on September 9.
Three Black Women Scholars Selected for Dean Positions
The dean appointments are Donna Stoddard at Babson College, Bridgett Golman at Tennessee State University, and Felisa Higgins at Purdue University.
Solomon Ofori-Acquah Selected to Lead the Georgia Solve Sickle Cell Initiative
The Georgia Solve Sickle Cell Initiative aims to expand the state's sickle cell research and care, as well as enhance the clinical trials, therapies, and treatments at Children's Health of Atlanta.
Joyce Buckner-Brown Appointed Provost of Alcorn State University
Dr. Buckner-Brown brings over two decades of experience in higher education and public health to her new role. She has recently served as Alcorn's interim provost and associate provost for undergraduate education and success.
University of California President Michael Drake Announces Retirement
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as president of the University of California these past several years, and I am immensely proud of what the UC community has accomplished,” said Dr. Drake, who will step down from his presidency at the conclusion of the upcoming academic year.
Maurice Gipson to Lead Philander Smith University in Little Rock, Arkansas
Dr. Gipson's career in higher education has centered around institutional advancement, diversity initiatives, and community engagement. He most recently served as vice chancellor of inclusion, diversity, and equity at the University of Missouri.
Abiódún Gòkè-Pariolá Named President of North Central College in Illinois
Dr. Gòkè-Pariolá brings nearly five decades of higher education experience to his new role. For the past nine years, he has served as North Central College's provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Four Black Women Selected for Dean Positions at Colleges and Universities
The new deans are Erika Smith at Connecticut College, Angela Gilmore at the University of the District of Columbia, Gail Orum-Alexander at Marshall B. Ketchum University in Claremont, California, and Theodorea Regina Berry at Montclair State University in New Jersey.
