Tag: Virginia Tech
In Memoriam: Nikki Giovanni, 1943-2024
Nikki Giovanni was a professor at Virginia Tech for 35 years. She was the author of numerous poetry collections, children's books, and works of nonfiction.
Darrin Martin Appointed President of Bluefield State University in West Virginia
“Bluefield State is uniquely positioned to expand opportunities for its students and strengthen its impact in the region. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and the community to build on the university’s successes," said Dr. Darrin Martin.
Football Star Takes His Talents to the University of Kentucky College of Nursing
At Virginia Tech, Corey Moore was known for being one of the most intimidating defensive linemen in college football. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and played in the National Football League. Now Moore is the assistant dean of academic advising and student success at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing.
A Trio of African American Women Who Are Taking on New Diversity Roles in Higher Education
Virginia Tech's Menah Pratt was named chair-elect for the Council on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. Professor Gwendolyn D. Pough has been given the added duties as associate dean of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at Syracuse University and Sekile M. Nzinga was appointed vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Darrin Martin Is the New Leader of Bluefield State University in West Virginia
Dr. Martin is a third-generation graduate of Bluefield State as both his mother and grandmother are alumnae. He has been serving as an associate professor of education, dean of academic support, and, director of graduate education studies.
A Quartet of Black Scholars Who Are Taking on New Duties
The four Black scholars in new roles are Fred D. Archer, III at the University at Buffalo, Jennifer Joe in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, Mesmin Destin at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and Stephanie Harris at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.
Elementary School in Richmond Renamed to Honor Howard University Professor Emerita
Lois Harrison-Jones, professor emerita in the School of Education at Howard University in Washington, D.C., has been honored by the Richmond, Virginia School Board with the renaming of an elementary school in her honor. The school was previously named for a colonel in the Confederate Army.
Margie Lee Wins a Prestigious Award From the American Association of Avian Pathologists
Margie Lee, associate dean for research and graduate studies at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, has been selected as the 2023 recipient of the Phibro Animal Health Excellence in Poultry Research Award which honors a scholar who has demonstrated sustained excellence in research of poultry disease and health over a period of 20 years or more.
In Memoriam: Pamela Corela Smith, 1970-2023
A dedicated administrator, faculty member, and colleague, Dr. Smith’s 22-year career at the university included stints serving as interim dean of the College of Business from 2021 to 2022; associate dean of administration and faculty from 2019 to 2023; and associate dean for graduate studies from 2016 to 2019.
Five Black Scholars Who Are Taking on New Faculty Duties
The Black scholars in new roles are Chielozona Eze at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, Ihudiya Finda Williams at Virginia Tech, Sarah Vinson at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Melynda Price at the University of Michigan, Vaughn A. Booker at the University of Pennsylvania.
The New Dean of the College of Education at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina
André Green is the new dean of the College of Education at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He was a professor of leadership and teacher education and associate vice president for academic affairs at the University of South Alabama.
Higher Education Grants or Gifts of Interest to African Americans
Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.
Nikki Giovanni Named University Distinguished Professor Emerita at Virginia Tech
Professor Giovanni began teaching at Virginia Tech in 1987. She is the author of many collections of poetry, children’s books, and works of nonfiction. She has published 11 illustrated children’s books and received 30 honorary degrees
A Quartet of Black Scholars Who Are Taking on New Assignments
The four Black faculty members who have been appointed to new roles are Sylvester Johnson at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, LaQuandra Nesbitt in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at George Washington University, Lorgia García Peña at Princeton University in New Jersey, and Kyaien Conner at the University of Pittsburgh.
Charletta H. Barringer-Brown Is the New Dean of the School of Education at Virginia Union University
Dr. Barringer-Brown had been serving as a tenured professor in the department of political science and public administration and as the faculty director of general education at Virginia State University. Earlier in her career, Dr. Barringer-Brown served as an assistant dean, department chair, and director of research at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina from 2004-2018.
Three African Americans Appointed to Diversity Posts in Higher Education
Taking on new roles relating to diversity are Tony Boston at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Takiyah Nur Amin for the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Tech, and Barbara J. Lawrence at Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
The End of an Era: Nikki Giovanni Retires After 35 Years on the Faculty at Virginia Tech
Professor Giovanni has been teaching at Virginia Tech since 1987. She is the author of many collections of poetry, children’s books, and works of nonfiction. She has published 11 illustrated children's books, received 30 honorary degrees and seven NAACP Image Awards, and has been a finalist for a Grammy and for the National Book Award.
Five Black Scholars Who Have Been Named to New Faculty Positions at Colleges and Universities
Taking on new faculty roles are Carla Phillips Savage at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, David Sterling Brown at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, Derek Young at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, Valtreasa Tolliver-Cook at Alcorn State University in Mississippi, and Austin R. Chalmers at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina.
Shaina Phenix Awarded the Miller Williams Poetry Prize from the University of Arkansas Press
Shaina Phenix, an assistant professor of English at Elon University in North Carolina, is the winner of the 2023 Miller Williams Poetry Prize from the University of Arkansas Press. Phenix will receive a cash prize, and her manuscript To Be Named Something Else will be published in the Miller Williams Poetry Series in the spring of 2023.
James L. Moore III to Lead the NSF’s Directorate for Education and Human Resources
The National Science Foundation's Directorate for Education and Human Resources, or EHR, supports research that enhances learning and teaching, and broad efforts to achieve excellence in STEM education at all levels and in all settings. Since 2018, Dr. Moore has been vice provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at Ohio State University.
New Administrative Duties for Eight African Americans at Colleges and Universities
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.
The New President of the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education
Kimberly S. Smith is the associate vice provost for student success initiatives in the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg.
Ericke Cage Named the 13th President of Historically Black West Virginia State University
President Cage joined the university in July 2021 as vice president and chief of staff and served as the university’s chief operating officer managing the day-to-day operations of the university from July 30 to his appointment as interim president in November 2021.
Three African Americans Appointed to Diversity Posts at Universities
Crasha Townsend has been promoted to assistant provost for diversity and inclusion at Virginia Tech. Sean Edmund Rogers was appointed interim vice president of community, equity, and diversity at the University of Rhode Island and Dionne Jackson is the inaugural vice president for institutional equity at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.
Tonya Smith-Jackson to Serve as Provost at North Carolina A&T State University
Dr. Smith Jackson has worked for North Carolina A&T since 2013, most recently as senior vice provost for academic affairs. She originally joined A&T as a professor and chair of the department of industrial and systems engineering. Earlier in her career she taught at Virginia Tech.
New Positions or Assignments for a Quartet of Black Scholars
Taking on new roles are Marcus L. Johnson at the Virginia Tech School of Education, Tracey Conti at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Anthea Butler at the University of Pennsylvania, and Michael Javen Fortner at Claremont McKenna College in California.
Ericke Cage Is the New Leader of Historically Black West Virginia State University
Cage joined the university in July as vice president and chief of staff and has been serving as the university’s chief operating officer managing the day-to-day operations of the university since July 30. Before arriving at West Virginia State, Cage was the senior advisor to the president and university ombudsman at Norfolk State University in Virginia.
A Large Group of African Americns Who Have Been Appointed to University Administrative Positions
Here is a roundup of recent announcements regarding the appointments of African Americans to administrative positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Devin Byrd Named the Sixth President of Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington
Dr. Byrd has been serving as vice president of academic affairs and chief academic advisor at Saybrook University in Pasadena, California. Earlier, he was a member of the psychology faculty at the University of South Carolina and then held several positions - including dean for the College of Health Professions - at South University in Savannah, Georgia.
James L. Moore III Honored by the American Council on Education
James L. Moore III, vice provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at Ohio State University, has been awarded the 2021 Reginald Wilson Diversity Leadership Award. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated leadership and commitment on a national level to the advancement of racial and ethnic minorities in higher education.
In Memoriam: Ira Hicks Jr., 1928-2021
Dr. Hicks served as a vocational instructor for 22 years before joining the faculty at his alma mater Fort Valley State University in 1971.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Is the First U.S. Host for PASET Ph.D. Scholars From Africa
Founded seven years ago with support from the World Bank, PASET offers African doctoral students the opportunity to study in the United States or South Korea with the goal of building a critical mass of researchers and university professors to tackle the continent's most pressing problems.
College of Engineering at Cornell University Honors Its Former Dean, Lance R. Collins
Dr. Collins served as the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering at Cornell University from 2010 to 2020. On August 1, 2020, he became the inaugural vice president and executive director of Virginia Tech’s new Innovation Campus in Alexandria, Virginia.
Seven African Americans Who Have Been Appointed to New Administrive Positions
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.
The New Dean of the School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth
Susan T. Gooden has served as interim dean since May 2018. Professor Gooden joined the faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004. Earlier, she was an assistant and associate professor in the Center for Public Administration and Policy at Virginia Tech.
Three African American Women Scholars Who Are Embarking on New Assignments
The three women scholars who are taking on new duties are Joelle A. Murchison of the University of Connecticut, Marietta Simpson, a Rudy Professor of Music in the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, and Erica Cooper of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
