Alumni News

HONORS

Anthony Leigh (EdD 2019) was honored by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils of Huntingdon College as Staff Member of the Year. Leigh, who serves as the senior vice president for student and institutional development, tries to celebrate the many ways that Huntingdon students involve themselves in the life of the college. 

Ron Newcomb (EdD 2011) was recognized by The Atlanta Business Chronicle in its list of top 100 metro Atlanta leaders in education. The Who's-Who list appeared in the May 18, 2020 issue. Newcomb is president of Chattahoochee Technical College, the largest technical college in Georgia with eight campuses across north-central Georgia and nearly 14,000 students. Under his tenure, CTC added an aviation academy.

NEW POSITIONS

Dominique Quarles (PhD 2019) named an affiliate faculty for the Division of Academic Enhancement at the University of Georgia in addition to his role as director of diversity and inclusion in the UGA Office of Institutional Diversity.

Kate Maine (EdD 2019) has been named vice president of university relations at the University of North Georgia. This role expands her current position as chief of staff to the president. She oversees strategic communications and marketing, state government relations, economic development, and community engagement, as well as professional and continuing education, diversity and inclusion, policy administration, and university events.

Alexis Szelwach (MEd 2019) serves as the transition coordinator for Destination Dawgs in the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Destination Dawgs enrolls students in preparatory courses and offers a certificate of college readiness to students with intellectual challenges.

Doug Chadwick (PhD 2015) has been promoted to director of mental skills development with the Colorado Rockies where he has worked since 2016. He works with major and minor league players and staff helping them to develop mental skills necessary for optimal performance under pressure.

Rodney Ellis (EdD 2011) was appointed to a two-year term as a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. “I am so honored to be selected … and help the soldiers and families of our proud United States military,” said Ellis. 

He continues to serve as the chancellor of Southern University Shreveport Louisiana. He will facilitate Army-community communications as a volunteer and support recruiting efforts to help diversify and build the force of the future.

ON THE MOVE 

Tracey Ford (EdD 2002) was named vice provost and dean of student affairs at University of North Carolina School of the Arts, effective July 1. In the press release announcing the appointment, Chancellor Brian Cole commended Ford’s record as a champion for lower-income and historically underrepresented students. He also noted her strong leadership during the COVID-19 response. “This spring, she has also been tireless in ensuring that our response to COVID-19 meets the needs of our students and addresses their health and well-being as well as providing high-quality academic and artistic instruction.” 

Samaad Wes Keys (PhD 2014) is a program officer at Ascendium Education Group. His portfolio includes the foundation’s Remove Structural Barriers to Success grants program. This strategic focus area “seeks to transform colleges and universities to foster seamless academic pathways for learners from low-income backgrounds.”

Jennifer Stephens (PhD 2013) became associate vice president of communications and marketing at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in April 2020. The University created this position to guide strategies and programs for institutional branding, trademark licensing and marketing; web, social media, and digital communications; internal and crisis communications; and development and alumni outreach.

Stephens said, “I am excited about the opportunity to partner … [and] build on the great momentum that already exists here and further advance the institution’s distinctive profile in the state and beyond.”

Maya Mapp (MEd 2020) started a new role as student government & leadership coordinator at the University of California, Santa Cruz campus this summer.

Stephen Bettner (EdD 2017) is president and CEO of a new higher education consulting firm focused on comprehensive auxiliary management, planning and university solutions (CAMPUS). Based in Washington, D.C., he works with institutions to reimagine their auxiliary service infrastructures and products.

Adam T.M. Wyatt (PhD 2011) relocated to Florida Atlantic University to serve as an associate professor of integrated medicinal science.

Beatriz Joseph (EdD 2008) is vice chancellor of student success and president of Mountain View campus in the Dallas College System in Texas. She is a recipient of the 2020 Phi Theta Kappa Paragon Award for New College Presidents and a 2019 Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship.

Khoi Dihn To (PhD 2011) became assistant vice president of institutional research and analytics in December 2019 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.