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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Three Black Women Appointed Deans of University Law Schools
The new law school deans are Marcilynn Burke at Tulane University in New Orleans, LaVonda Reed at the University of Baltimore, and Franita Tolson at the University of Southern California.
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.
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.
Lawrence P. Ward Named Seventh President of the University of Hartford
“In my experience, leading with personal authenticity and humility, as well as with vision and strategy, builds credibility, increases trust, and strengthens people’s willingness to work well together," said Dr. Ward. "That’s how I will approach my presidency at UHart."
Clayton State University Selects Corrie Fountain to Serve as Interim Provost
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve at Clayton State in this interim capacity, and I hope that my contributions will aid in the success of its students, faculty and staff," said Dr. Fountain, currently the associate provost for faculty affairs at Georgia State University.
Christopher Span Appointed Dean of Rutgers University Graduate School of Education
Dr. Span, professor of education policy, organization, and leadership at the University of Illinois, is a scholar of African American educational history. He has experience in both academic and administrative leadership positions.
Austin Agho to Transition from Old Dominion University Provost to Chief Integration Officer
Dr. Agho will transition to the role of senior advisor to the president and chief integration officer for Old Dominion University on July 1. Over the next two years, he will oversee the university's merger with Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Kamau Siwatu to Lead the Texas Tech University College of Education
Dr. Siwatu is a professor of educational psychology who has taught at Texas Tech University for nearly 20 years. Earlier this year, he was appointed interim associate dean for academic affairs.
Josie Brown Named Dean of University of Hartford College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Brown currently serves as a professor of English and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Point Park University, where she has taught courses on African American, Caribbean, and Ethnic American literature for the past two decades.
Cherrise Jones-Branch Named Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Communication at Arkansas...
Dr. Jones-Branch has been serving as dean of the Graduate School and the James E. and Wanda Lee Vaughn Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences. She has been a faculty member with Arkansas State University for more than two decades.
Southern Illinois University Promotes Marc Morris to Dean of the College of Business and...
After serving as interim dean for nearly a year and half, Dr. Morris has been selected to serve as permanent dean of the College of Business and Analytics at Southern Illinois University. He has been a faculty member with the university for two decades.
Twinette Johnson Named Dean of the Saint Louis University School of Law
Dr. Johnson's new appointment marks a return to Saint Louis University, where she first began her career in academia as an associate professor of legal writing. She will assume her new position as dean of the School of Law on July 1.
James Crawford Named Sole Finalist for President of Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University has named James W. Crawford as the sole finalist for president. He has spent the past two years as president of Felician University in New Jersey and has over 30 years of service in the United States Navy.
