Author Archive for Associate Editor
Rolanda Ward Recognized by National Association of Social Workers for Service to Underserved Communities
The National Association of Social Workers honored Rolanda Ward for her service to underserved and oppressed communities. She currently serves as director of the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission at Niagara University.
In Memoriam: Ruth R. Martin, 1930-2024
Dr. Martin was a professor emerita of social work at the University of Connecticut. In addition to teaching, she served the university as associate dean prior to retiring in 1999.
Five Women Appointed to New Faculty Positions
Taking on new faculty duties are Erica Armstrong Dunbar at Emory University in Atlant, Allison Oakes at Syracuse University in New York, Kimberly Haynie at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Rasha Abdrabou at Loma Linda University in California, and Marylyn Ritchie at the University of Pennsylvania.
Margaret Ellis Honored for Contributions to Undergraduate Computer Science Education and Research Opportunities
Ellis is an associate professor of practice in the department of computer science at Virginia Tech. She teaches introductory computer sciences courses and develops undergraduate course curriculum and research opportunities.
Five Women Scholars Selected for Dean Positions
The new deans are Nicole Leeper Piquero at the University of Maryland, Melissa Cole at John Carroll University in Ohio, Cass Kvenild at the University of Wyoming, Josie Brown at the University of Hartford in Connecticut, and Xan Arch at Portland State University in Oregon.
Farzana Hoque Named “Unsung Hero” by Society of Hospital Medicine
The Unsung Hero award is presented annually to a Society of Hospital Medicine chapter president for their positive contributions to the organization. Dr. Hoque, president of the Saint Louis, Missouri, chapter, is an associate professor of internal medicine at Saint Louis University.
Six Women Appointed to Higher Education Administrative Positions
The appointments are Evangeline Pointer at South Carolina State University, Lisa Uherick at Virginia Tech, Katie Dickens at the University of Kentucky, Cherron Hoppes at Notre Dame de Namur University in California, Meghan McCord-Zaro at Robert Wood Johnson University, and Jill Geisler Wheeler at the University of Arkansas.
CDC Foundation Honors Ninez Ponce for Data Equity and Racial Health Disparities Research
Ninez Ponce was recognized for her scholarship and advocacy for data equity which has contributed to the understanding of racial and ethnic health disparities, particularly for Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
New Diversity and Inclusion Appointments for Four Women Leaders
The women appointed to diversity positions in higher education are Marilyn Ortega at Virginia Tech, Christine Navia at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Ha Nguyen at Pierce College in Washington, and Renee Wells at Queens University of Charlotte North Carolina.
Four Women Scholars Appointed to Endowed Professorships
The appointments are Hee-Young Park at Boston University, Florencia Torche at Princeton University, Hope Wabuke at the University of Nebraska, and Jutta Joorman at Yale University.
New Study Casts Doubt on CDC’s Method for Tracking Maternal Death Rates
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the maternal death rate in the United States has tripled since 1999. However, a new study has found this rate to be vastly overestimated, with virtually no change in maternal deaths over the past twenty years.
Yamileth Bazan Named President of Union Adventist University in Nebraska
Dr. Bazan has nearly two decades of experience in higher education leadership, currently serving as associate dean for student affairs in the School of Medicine at Loma Linda University in California.
An Update on the United States Gender Pay Gap
A new report from Bankrate has examined 2022 Census Bureau data and identified the industries, jobs, and states with the smallest and largest gender pay gaps.
Aimee Sapp Appointed the Ninth President of Meredith College in North Carolina
“I am inspired by Meredith College’s commitment to women’s education, academic excellence, and a diverse and inclusive community,” said Dr. Sapp. “I am eager to contribute my skills and experience in higher education leadership toward Meredith’s continued growth and success.”
Study Finds Significant Increase in Women’s Representation on Boards of U.S. Private Companies
The study found that women held 17 percent of board seats in 2023, up from just 7 percent in 2019. Additionally, the percentage of companies without any women has decreased significantly from 60 percent in 2019 to 32 percent in 2023.
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.
In Memoriam: Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, 1930-2024
In 1970, Dr. Maxwell-Roddey became the second African-American to be hired as a full-time faculty member at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. One year later, she became the founding director of the university’s Africana studies department.
Georgetown University Launches Women, Peace, and Security Conflict Tracker
The Women, Peace, and Security Conflict Tracker aims to address global armed conflict, protect women from violence, and include women in conflict resolution efforts.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Honors Leesha Simons for Excellence in Clinical Teaching
Leesha Simons is the assistant director of simulation and lab skills at Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences, where she has taught for the past two years. She previously served as a clinical educator at St. Marks Hospital in Utah.
In Memoriam: Ramona Edelin, 1945-2024
Dr. Edelin founded the first African American studies program at Northeastern University in 1972. She is credited for helping to introduce the term “African American” into American vernacular.
Grants or Gifts Relating to Women in Higher Education
Here is this week’s news of grants and gifts that may be of particular interest to women in higher education.
Three Women Appointed Department Chairs in the Florida Atlantic University College of Business
The new Florida Atlantic University department chairs are Hong Yuan for the department of marketing, Anita Pennathur for the department of finance, and Ethlyn Williams for the department of management programs.
In Memoriam: Lorna Peterson, 1939-2024
For 19 years, Dr. Peterson served as executive director of Five Colleges, Incorporated, a collaborative consortium comprised of Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Smita Bhatia Lauded by American Cancer Society for Contributions to Cancer Prevention
The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Cancer Society have recognized Smita Bhatia, professor of pediatric oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, for her contributions to cancer prevention and survivorship.
Columbia Professor Anne Bogart Awarded for Lifetime Achievement in Non-Profit Theatre Production
Anne Bogart, professor of theatre at Columbia University and co-artistic director of the SITI Company in New York City, has been honored for her over five decades of contributions to non-profit theatre.
Women Scholars Who Have Been Named to Dean Positions
The deans are Heather Bush at the University of Kentucky, Susan Rowan at the University of Illinois Chicago, Patricia Sanchez Abril at the University of Miami, Marcilynn Burke at Tulane University, LaVonda Reed at the University of Baltimore, Jenna Shim at the University of Wyoming, Kalea Benner at Indiana University, Sheila Yeh at the University of Northern Colorado, Tracy Linderholm at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Franita Tolson at the University of Southern California, and Carol Dawnson-Rose at the University of California, San Francisco.
National Academy of Sciences Honors Jennifer Trueblood for Experimental Psychology Research Contributions
Jennifer Trueblood, a psychological and brain sciences professor at Indiana University, has been honored for her work in developing mathematical models of cognitive processing to better understand how humans make decisions.
Thirteen Women Appointed to Higher Education Administrative Positions
Here is this week’s roundup of women 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 contact@WIAReport.com.
Texas A&M Professor Jennifer Griffith Recognized for Excellence in Undergraduate Education
“Witnessing undergraduate students realize their passion and love for the field of public health has been and continues to be the most rewarding aspect of my career,” said Dr. Griffith, a professor in the department of health policy and management in the School of Public Health at Texas A&M University.
Five Women Scholars Appointed to Endowed Professorships
The endowed professor appointments are Rachel Fearns at Boston University, Ada Ferrer at Princeton University, Nora Peterson at the University of Nebraska, Helen Caines at Yale University, and Sarah Light at the University of Pennsylvania.
In Memoriam: Lena Prewitt, 1931-2024
In 1970, Dr. Prewitt joined the faculty at the University of Alabama as its first-ever Black woman professor. She served the university as an associate professor of business for over two decades prior to taking on academic and administrative leadership positions with Stillman College.
Study Finds Women Lawyers More Reluctant Than Male Peers to Use Artificial Intelligence Tools
A research team from the University of California Berkeley has found that although women lawyers have a greater initial reluctance to AI tools than male lawyers, once they are introduced to AI programs, both genders report an increase in productivity.
Patricia Lynott Appointed President of Rockford University in Illinois
After serving as interim president since December 2022, Dr. Patricia Lynott has been officially appointed as the ninteenth president of Rockford University in Illinois. She previously served as provost of Southern New Hampshire University.
Report Finds Increase in Deaths From Excessive Alcohol Among American Women
From 2016 to 2021, deaths that were at least partially contributed to alcohol use in the United States increased by 29 percent. American women’s alcohol-related deaths during this time increased by 35 percent.
Amelia Parnell Named President of National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
Dr. Parnell has been with the organization since 2015, serving as vice president for research and policy. Prior to her current role, she was director of research initiatives and director of national survey research for the Association of Institutional Research.
