Marcheta P. Evans Named First Black Woman President of St. Catherine University in Minnesota
Dr. Evan's appointment as president of St. Catherine University is the second time she has been named the first African American president of a higher education institution. She previously served as the first woman and first Black president of Bloomfield College in New Jersey.
Buffalo State University Rescinds Appointment of Chance Glenn as President
Chance Glenn's appointment as president of Buffalo State University has been rescinded following recent ethical concerns raised by faculty from his most recent employer, the University of Houston Victoria. Buffalo State's interim president, Bonita Durand, will retain her interim appointment through the 2025-2026 academic year.
University of Illinois Professor Ruby Mendenhall Named Poet Laureate
Dr. Mendenhall currently serves as the Kathryn Lee Baynes Dallenbach Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she teaches sociology, African American studies, and urban and regional planning.
Tracy Cook Appointed Twenty-First President of Alcorn State University in Mississippi
“I am honored to have the trust and support of the Board of Trustees, and excited to officially lead a university that has meant so much to me personally and professionally,” Dr. Cook said. “We have a bright future ahead of us and I am committed to leading us all toward new levels of success.”
Amelia Parnell Named President of National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
"NASPA is well-positioned to advocate for student affairs professionals around the world and, by doing so, we can demonstrate our commitment to student success and the association’s vision for fulfilling the promise of higher education," said Dr. Parnell.
Aondover Tarhule Appointed President of Illinois State University
"Under my leadership, Illinois State will remain visible, engaged, and a collaborative partner committed to improving the quality of life and enhancing the sense of belonging for everyone in our community," said Dr. Aondover Tarhule, the new president of Illinois State University.
Two Black Scholars Selected for Deanships
The new deans are Royce Burnett at Morgan State University in Baltimore and Pamela Moye at Mercer University in Georgia.
John K. Pierre Named Chancellor of Southern University and A&M College
Since 1990, Pierre has served in faculty and administrative roles at Southern University Law Center. Since 2016, he has been chancellor of the Southern University Law Center and was named interim executive vice president of the Southern Universty System in 2023.
James Griffin Is the First Black President of the Medical Staff at University of...
Dr. Griffin was born at the University of Texas Southwestern's Parkland Memorial Hospital in 1958 when the delivery ward was still segregated. Over six decades later, he will be the hospital's first Black president of medical staff.
Nadine Barnett Cosby Appointed Quinnipiac University’s First-Ever Black Dean
"As the newly appointed dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University, I am honored to lead a community of dynamic minds, where I aim to inspire innovation, amplify voices, and shape the future of communication education with passion and purpose," Dr. Barnett Cosby said.
Yale University Commits $10 million Toward HBCU Partnerships
Yale University issued a formal apology three weeks ago regarding its historical ties to slavery. In response, the university has pledged $10 million towards an initiative that aims to expand collaboration with historically Black colleges and universities.
Camille Davidson Appointed President of Mitchell Hamline School of Law
The Mitchell Hamline School of Law has appointed Camille Davidson as its third president, making her the first Black woman to hold the position. Davidson currently serves as a professor and dean of the School of Law at Southern Illinois University.
Delaware State University Leader Jarso Maley Jallah Appointed Minister of Education for Liberia
Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, associate vice president at Delaware State University, has been appointed Minister of Education for her native country Liberia. She previously served Liberia as deputy director general for training and manpower development at the Liberian Institute for Public Administration.
Albany State University President Marion Ross Fedrick Transitioning to New Position at Georgia State...
Dr. Fedrick has been president of historically Black Albany State University since 2018. She will step down from her role on July 1 to serve as executive vice president and chief of staff to the president at Georgia State University.
Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman Appointed President of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
"I appreciate the support I have received from my faculty and trainee colleagues here at UC San Diego along with colleagues from around the world," says Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman. "Together we will work to advance our field and our reach, improving patient outcomes and eliminating health disparities."
Safiya George Named President of the University of the Virgin Islands
“As a servant leader, I am confident I will be an effective President for the University of the Virgin Islands and will remain humble and grounded with a sincere desire to improve outcomes and the lives of students, faculty, staff, and the community," says Safiya George, who will assume the role of president of the University of the Virgin Islands this summer.
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad Named President of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
"In this 21st century, the problem of the color line is still at the center of inequality and division in the United States, and it is my goal to position the Joint Center to lead the nation beyond its historical divisions and injustice," says Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, incoming president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Martin Lemelle Appointed the Eleventh President of Grambling State University
Dr. Martin Lemelle has been serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Johnnetta Betsch Cole Appointed President-In-Residence of the United Negro College Fund Capital Campaign
“With her immense expertise and passion for education, Dr. Cole will play a pivotal role in advancing the goals of our capital campaign and UNCF’s mission of ensuring equal access to higher education for underrepresented students of color,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund.
Jamila Taylor Named President of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research
"I am eager to set a path for IWPR that builds upon its reputation as a trusted economic and equity think tank, producing ground-breaking research and bold policy solutions that advance gender equality in ways that are meaningful and long-lasting," says Dr. Taylor.
Historically Black Central State University Appoints Morakinyo Kuti as President
Morakinyo A.O. Kuti has been named president of historically Black Central State University in Ohio. Dr. Kuti has held numerous leadership roles in his tenure with the university, most recently serving as vice president of research and economic development.
Manya Whitaker Will Be the New Leader of Colorado College
Colorado College executive vice president and chief of staff, Manya Whitaker, has been elevated to interim president effective July 1. Her selection follows the resignation of Colorado College's first woman of color president, L. Song Richardson.
Jackie Alexander is the First Black Woman President of the College Media Association
Jackie Alexander has been appointed president of the College Media Association, an organization she has been a member of since 2012. She currently serves the University of Alabama Birmingham as director of student media.
Two African American Women Appointed to Deanships
Appointments include new leadership roles for Aherial Polite at Augusta Technical College in Georgia and TaKeia N. Anthony at Edward Waters College.
A Change In Leadership For Florida A&M University’s College of Law
Deidre Keller has stepped down from her role as dean of the Florida A&M University College of Law. Cecil Howard, who was recently appointed to associate vice provost for the historically Black college just weeks ago, will take on the dean's responsibilities until an interim dean is selected.
Keith Elder Appointed President of Saint Xavier University
"I am honored to serve as the next president of Saint Xavier University and look forward to working with this remarkable student-centered, mission-focused community," said Dr. Elder, currently the executive vice president at Mississippi College.
University of California San Francisco Names Nicholas Holmes President of Benioff Children’s Hospital
Dr. Nicholas Holmes has been appointed president of the Benioff Children's Hospital at the University of California San Francisco. He comes to the university from Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego were he serves as senior vice president and chief operating officer.
Rhea Ballard-Thrower Named President-Elect of the Association of Research Libraries
Rhea Ballard-Thrower, Dean of Libraries at the University of Illinois Chicago, has been named vice president of the Association of Research Libraries. As vice president, Ballard-Thrower also serves as president-elect, and will be elevated to president of the organization in 2025.
Roscoe Jones Jr. Becomes First-Ever Black Dean at Drake University
Roscoe Jones Jr. has been appointed dean of the Drake University Law School, making him the first-ever Black dean across all schools at Drake University. Jones currently serves as a practicing attorney in Washington D.C., and as an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan Law school.
Alicia Fontnette Appointed Executive Director of the National Council for Black Studies
The National Council for Black Studies has selected Alicia Fontnette as the organization's executive director. Dr. Fontnette is an assistant professor in the department of African studies at the University of Delaware, which will serve as the council's new headquarters.
The First Black Women to Serve as President of the American Historical Association
Thavolia Glymph is the Peabody Family Distinguished Professor of History and professor of law at Duke University. She is the past president of the Southern Historical Association.
Loyola University of Maryland Publishes Report on Its Ties to Slavery
Over the past two decades, many of the nation's leading university's have issued reports on their historical ties to slavery. Now, Loyola University of Maryland in Baltimore has issued its findings.
Emory University’s Jericho Brown Appointed Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets
Dr. Brown joined the faculty at Emory University in 2012. He currently is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of English and Creative Writing. He has won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in the poetry category, and the American Book Award for poetry.
North Carolina Central University Chancellor to Step Down in June
Dr. Johnson Akinleye joined NCCU as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs in February 2014, then assumed the role of acting chancellor in August 2016 and interim chancellor in December 2016, before his appointment as chancellor in 2017.
Three African Americans Who Have Been Appointed Deans
Daryl D. Green is the new dean of the School of Business at Langston University in Oklahoma. Shalei Simms has been named dean of the School of Business at the State University of New York at Old Westbury and Jelani Jefferson Exum has been appointed the next dean of St. Johns University School of Law in Queens, New York.
Cecil Howard Takes on New Role at the Florida A&M University College of Law
Cecil Howard is the new associate provost for academic programs at the Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando. He will play a key role in the strategic planning, management, and oversight of diverse academic initiatives for the college.
