VOL. 3
ISSUE 6
Royal
Anniversaries THE
CONTINUES...
A MO N TH LY P UB L I CAT I ON P ROD U C E D BY THE LANGSTO N U NIV ER S ITY O FFICE O F PU BLIC RELATIONS
• BEST IN CLASS
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• CHARTING A PATH TO SUCCESS
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• 2026 NATIONAL GOAT CONFERENCE
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• ROYAL ANNIVERSARIES
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• ASCEND
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• A BRIGHTER FUTURE
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Best in Class by Ellie Melero
11 LU students attend Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute
by Ellie Melero
After months of preparation, a long flight from Oklahoma City, and a short drive from the airport through the winding streets of Washington, D.C., a group of Langston University’s brightest students excitedly filed into the hotel lobby. The large room was already abuzz with activity as groups of students from around the country checked into the hotel, picked up their registration packets and mingled with one another. Signs and banners posted around the lobby made it clear what they were all there for: the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute. Van Dyke Atienza, a junior computer science major originally from Quezon City, The Philippines, described the vibe of the conference as energetic from the get-go. As soon as they arrived, it motivated him to try to be the best possible version of himself. “It was a very surreal moment, driving through Washington, D.C., and stepping into the hotel,” Atienza said. “It made me feel so accomplished. Seeing the banner of the Leadership Institute with the theme, Best In Class, written all over, it was surreal.”
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is a national organization dedicated to serving the Black higher education community. Founded in 1987, TMCF has 57 member schools that represent 80% of historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs) in the country. The organization offers scholarships, internships, professional development opportunities, corporate immersion experiences, and various programs and conferences designed to develop students and connect them with employers, mentors and high achieving peers from other member schools. That’s exactly what the TMCF Leadership Institute did for Atienza and his classmates, and the development began before they even boarded their plane. As one of TMCF’s signature conferences, the Leadership Institute is a competitive program. About 3,000 students apply annually, and only 500 are chosen to attend. When applicants initially receive their acceptance, it is a conditional acceptance. They then have to attend group coaching sessions, one-on-one interviews and complete a short course to prepare for the conference. If they don’t complete these requirements, their acceptance can be rescinded and their spot offered to someone else. Armonii Cross, a junior computer science major from Edmond,
Oklahoma, said the rigorous application and preparation process is worth it, and she understands why TMCF makes it so competitive. “I mean, if you’re considering the fact that they are paying for flights and transportation for 500 students along with hotel stays and food and hosting a gala, it’s a lot,” Cross said. “It’s a hefty investment, so I do believe that they want to make sure that they’re choosing the best of the best and people that are very serious about what they’re doing.” For Cross, being chosen to attend the Leadership Institute was especially meaningful. Her mother, a 2012 Langston University graduate, had Cross when she was 18. She came to Dear Langston at 20, and Cross basically grew up on the Langston Campus. Her mother participated in several TMCF programs as a student, including the Leadership Institute, and her mother was the first person to encourage Cross to do the same. Although she was hesitant at first, Cross couldn’t resist the allure of the various opportunities TMCF offers. She applied first for a corporate immersion experience with Lowe’s, and that experience motivated her to apply for the Leadership Institute. When she was accepted, she was thrilled she would be able to share one of her mother’s favorite college experiences. “It was exciting for me,” Cross said. “With my mom talking about how she went and how things were, I was willing to do whatever it took to be sure my name was on the list in the end. And when (my name) was on the list, it was gratifying. And there were so many levels to it.” The conference was held Sept. 9-12 in Washington, D.C. When the LU delegation arrived, they got straight to business. They checked in, put their belongings in their rooms and went down to the opening session, the welcome dinner. Each day of the four-day conference had the same general format; students listened to guest speakers during meals and attended breakout sessions and workshops in between. There were plenty of opportunities to network with representatives from the conference’s various corporate sponsors as well as students from other schools. There was also a clothing boutique and salon that were free for the student attendees. On Friday, there was a career fair. The students spoke with recruiters for various businesses, including large corporations like Lowe’s Hardware, Wells Fargo and Vanguard. Several LU students were invited for on-site interviews during the career fair, and many had received job or internship offers by the end of the conference. Cross received an internship offer from Truist Bank. Jonell St. Fort, a senior business administration major from The Bahamas, was accepted into the Google Cloud program. Atienza received an information technology internship offer from Wendy’s. “I got the offer for Wendy’s IT position right on the spot
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4 after my interview,” Atienza said. “Whenever I heard that I will be getting the email in the next few weeks with my official offer, I was so ecstatic. I left and met my Langston (University) peers and jumped and celebrated with them, and then I called my computer science advisor, Professor (Ralph) Grayson, to tell him I got my first offer. “In that moment, it made me feel like all my hard work came into fruition and that it’s just the start of whatever opportunities I can get for this semester.” The Leadership Institute was filled with opportunities to learn and network both during and outside of the conference’s official sessions. This was especially apparent on the last day when students attended the TMCF 49th Anniversary Gala. Cross wanted to look her best for the Gala, so she decided to take advantage of the free salon. She booked an appointment for the afternoon, after the Leadership Institute’s closing session, but the salon called her and asked if she would be willing to move it earlier. Cross hesitated, not wanting to miss one of the breakout sessions, but ultimately decided to take the earlier appointment. During her appointment, Cross began chatting with another
woman in the salon. The woman asked her about herself and how she was enjoying the Leadership Institute, and Cross enthusiastically told her about how wonderful it was. She also told the woman about how her mother was a Leadership Institute alumna and how excited her mother was that she was attending. The woman was April Payne, the daughter of TMCF Founder Dr. N. Joyce Payne. April Payne was thrilled to hear about Cross’ experience and especially that she was a legacy. Later, at the Gala, Cross was invited to sit at a table with donors from Coca-Cola, and she had the chance to meet Dr. N. Joyce Payne. “There were just so many good takeaways,” Cross said. “A lot of really good connections, and you learned that these people that we hold in such high regard are really just normal people and that they want to see us win.” Atienza also had an eventful Gala experience. After four days packed with activities, Atienza was excited to attend the Gala. The food was delicious and he enjoyed the live performances, but he also wanted to make the most of the last few hours he had with the new friends he’d made from other
5 HBCUs. While mingling, Atienza happened to bump into Dr. Harry L. Williams, the president and CEO of TMCF. Dr. Williams struck up a conversation with Atienza during which Atienza accidentally let slip that he had been struggling with imposter syndrome. “Being Filipino in an African American space, I felt like I didn’t belong,” Atienza said. “But (Dr. Williams) reassured me, and he said going through the ropes and doing the sessions, meeting with the success coaches, all of that means that they wanted me there. He helped me realize that I belong, and that those opportunities are made for me and my peers in TMCF.” The next day, the LU students made the journey back half-way across the country to the Langston Campus. Each of them felt like they had learned something and taken something back from the Leadership Institute, whether it was new knowledge, relationships or career opportunities. They also all came back with a conviction that more Langston University students need to apply to attend next year. “I’m so thankful to TMCF and Langston (University) for providing these types of opportunities,” Cross said. “And I just really encourage every single person at Langston to apply to the Leadership Institute. We’re doing truly amazing things at Langston, and there was just so much abundance (at Leadership Institute) and Langston University students need to take up more space there.” Students can find more information about TMCF and its various scholarship opportunities and programs online at TMCF.org. They can also speak with TMCF’s Langston Campus Yardee, Simone Burrough, at tabling events in the Student Success Center throughout the year.
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Charting a Path to Success Two Langston University students participate in Arkansas Colleges for Health Education MAP program by Ellie Melero
Faith Barnes has a plan. The senior Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) major knows what she wants to do when she graduates, and her path to achieving it is clear thanks to a partnership between Langston University and the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE). Barnes wants to be an occupational therapist, and she plans to take advantage of an education affiliation agreement signed in 2024 between LU and ACHE to attend ACHE’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Through the agreement, LU students who meet ACHE’s general and program-specific admission requirements can choose to follow one of two paths into either ACHE’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program or the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The first pathway guarantees a student’s placement in their program of choice while the second pathway allows students to bypass ACHE’s initial screening process and receive a guaranteed interview for their program of choice. Barnes is working on the first pathway. LU students can apply for the Early Assurance Program through the LU Office of Academic Affairs. If accepted into the Early Assurance Program, students must complete all pre-requisite courses for their graduate program and enroll at ACHE within two years. Barnes is currently working on her application, but after
spending four days on ACHE’s campus participating in the Mentoring and Achievement Preparation (MAP) Program, she’s surer than ever this is the path she wants to pursue. “The MAP Program was one of the most empowering and beneficial experiences I’ve ever had,” Barnes said. “I gained not only valuable knowledge but a greater sense of confidence to pursue my passion for occupational therapy.” Students pursuing the guaranteed placement pathway through the Early Assurance Program, in addition to meeting all admissions requirements, must also participate in the MAP Program. Launched in Spring 2023 by ACHE’s College of Health Sciences Admissions Department, School of Occupational Therapy and School of Physical Therapy, the MAP Program’s mission is to make a lasting difference in underserved communities and help reduce health disparities across the region. It’s designed to educate, encourage, equip and engage diverse students from underrepresented and underserved populations considering careers in occupational therapy or physical therapy. The program welcomes participants to the ACHE campus in Fort Smith, Arkansas, each summer for an immersive experience followed by ongoing mentorship from faculty and current ACHE occupational therapy and physical therapy students. Additionally, the ACHE College of Health Sciences Admissions team provides participants with continued support in the form of admissions workshops, professional development events and application prep sessions.
7 “On top of providing actionable tools and clarity for my career path, the program gave me the privilege of having two mentors who guided me every step of the way,” Barnes said. “I’ve grown both personally and professionally, and I’m deeply grateful for the guidance and support as I work toward my future.” Barnes was one of two LU students who attended the MAP Program this summer. Fellow senior HPER major Ethan Stevenson also made his way to Arkansas for the program. Stevenson wants to go to physical therapy school when he graduates, and he applied for the MAP Program because he wanted more insight into what that could look like. The opportunity to build relationships with people involved in a physical therapy program was an added bonus. During the MAP Program, Stevenson had the opportunity to attend lectures with first, second and third-year physical therapy students. He met many of ACHE’s faculty and staff, including deans, professors and admissions coordinators. He also interacted with current ACHE students and participated in a cadaver lab where they performed a dissection to examine the shoulder. During these experiences, he was able to ask questions about ACHE’s physical therapy program and the physical therapy profession. “My experience with the MAP Program was nothing short of amazing,” Stevenson said. “Getting to see what a day in the life of a PT student could look like was one of the main reasons I applied, but I left with newly built relationships and friendships that have lasted even during my time away from Arkansas. The experience motivated me as a pre-PT student to improve my performance in the classroom and pursue opportunities within the physical therapy profession, such as becoming a PT technician. It has also been encouraging knowing that I have mentors at ACHE supporting me along the way.” Now that he’s returned to the Langston Campus, Stevenson is more motivated than ever to pursue physical therapy. He plans to apply for several programs, including ACHE, and his focus now is completing his bachelor’s degree and prerequisite courses. “I am very happy that I applied for this experience because it completely changed my mentality and confidence as a
student whose goal is to become a physical therapist,” Stevenson said. “Before ACHE accepted me into the MAP Program, I knew what I needed to do to apply to PT school, but MAP gave me the tools and guidance to not only work toward being accepted into a program but also to excel once I get there.”
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Photos by Ali Lounis
2026
by Ellie Melero
Langston University, in partnership with the National Goat Consortium, hosted the 2026 National Goat Conference from Sept. 28-30. Under the theme “Advancing Innovation in Goat Production and Products,” the conference brought together 300 goat producers, researchers, extension professionals, students, agricultural organizations and industry representatives from across the nation for three days of education, research exchange, hands-on learning and networking.
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Learn more about Langston University’s Cooperative Extension and Outreach Programs and the E. Kika de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research on the Lion Talk podcast!
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Royal Anniversaries:
Two Langston University students participate in Arkansas Colleges for Health Education MAP program by Ellie Melero
Elite Connection celebrates 20 years, Miss Langston celebrates 80 years by Ellie Melero
Traditions are an integral part of college life at higher education
Blue, Mister and Miss Lion Pride, Mister and Miss 1897, and
institutions across the United States, and they are considered
Mister and Miss Langston University.
especially sacred at the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). As Oklahoma’s HBCU, Langston
The eight members of the Elite Connection are not the only title
University takes its traditions seriously.
bearers on campus, for many sororities, fraternities and other student organizations also hold their own pageants, but the Elite
From the Divine 9 Greek letter organizations to the nationally
Connection are the university’s official royalty. Their role in the
acclaimed Marching Pride Band, the university’s HBCU
campus community goes beyond simply representing the
traditions play a central role in LU’s campus life. Nothing
university at events; they are also responsible for creating
embodies these traditions and the proud legacy attached to them
programming that uplifts their fellow students and the greater LU
quite like Langston University’s royal court, better known as the
community as a whole.
Elite Connection. Their legacy began 80 years ago with the introduction of Miss The Elite Connection is made up of eight accomplished
Langston University. The annual scholarship pageant winner
students who represent the university at various campus and
would become the face of the university each year, and 38 years
non-university events throughout the year. They are instantly
later, she was joined by Mister Langston University. In 2006, the
recognizable by their clean-pressed suits and dresses adorned
Mister and Miss Orange & Blue pageant was founded and a formal
with sashes that proclaim their titles: Mister and Miss Orange &
royal court established, thus creating the first Elite Connection.
11 ROYAL BEGINNINGS Rachel Belmon’s pageant career began with a speeding ticket. It was spring 2004, and the elementary education major was driving to Tulsa for her teacher certification training. It was a drive she’d done many times, but as she turned onto the turnpike leading from the Town of Langston toward Tulsa, she was dismayed to see blue and red lights start flashing behind her. She pulled over, and the police officer handed her a speeding ticket she had no idea how she was going to pay. She was still thinking about it a few days later as she walked through the Student Success Center. Suddenly, a table caught her eye that she thought might be the answer to her problem; the Lambda Alpha chapter of Zeta Phi Beta was hosting its Miss Ebony & Blue pageant. The winner would receive a $500 cash prize. “In my mind, I'm thinking, ‘OK, I've got enough friends that can let me borrow some clothes and help me with the things,’”
Belmon said. “‘I'm going to do this.’ And to my shock and awe, I walked away with the title. Being able to see myself with a crown on my head and have that opportunity to co-represent an organization on campus, that inspired me to do more.” Belmon won the pageant and paid her speeding ticket, but she didn’t stop there. The experience helped her realize she loved pageantry, and more than that, she loved how it allowed her to become more involved with campus organizations. She continued competing in pageants, becoming Miss Black Langston University 2004 and going on to compete in the Miss Black Oklahoma pageant. In December 2005, Belmon competed in the Miss Langston University pageant and became the 60th Miss Langston University. Holding the title in 2006 was doubly special because it was not only the 60th anniversary of the crown, but it was also the first year Miss Langston University was accompanied by a royal court. “It was like going from a solo sport to a team sport,” Belmon said. “I felt like, as Miss Black Langston, I had that one task of representing the university at that other pageant and then serving as a student leader throughout the year. But as Miss Langston, I felt like more of an official ambassador.” In fall 2005, former Director of Student Life Dezz Lewis had been tasked by President JoAnn Haysbert to create more opportunities for student leadership on campus. He rose to the challenge in more ways than one, launching the Student Ambassadors program in spring 2006 and establishing the Elite Connection that same year. When it came to creating the Elite Connection, a driving force was the desire to find more ways to embrace Langston University’s HBCU identity and instill pride in the campus community. “I think Dezz did a beautiful job of crafting something that's true to Langston University,” Belmon said. “Something that embodies that same idea of not only are we supporting students, but we're developing future leaders for our campus. And ultimately, people would look at the culture of Langston (University) and see that part of the heart of our institution is being reflected in those activities.” That year, Belmon did not have a Mister Langston University, so the Elite Connection was her support system for her royal duties. There were two attendants and two escorts, and together, they all helped Lewis put on the first Mister and Miss Orange & Blue
pageant that fall. Mister and Miss Orange & Blue is the freshman scholarship pageant held each fall, offering an opportunity for students to become campus leaders during their first year at LU. The winners round out the Elite Connection. For that first pageant, Belmon’s role was to help with choreography and stage presence for the contestants. “We didn't expect them to have a long resume because they are just fresh on campus,” Belmon said. “But the idea was that we were planting those seeds. That's what I loved about the Miss Orange & Blue program was it was a chance to kind of plant those mentorship seeds.” The seeds were planted, and they grew.
A NEW ERA Since 2006, the Elite Connection’s role in the LU campus community has continued to grow, and so has its impact. The manners, skills and etiquette the members learn during their time in the Elite Connection stays with them throughout their time in school and beyond. Many former members go on to hold leadership roles in other campus organizations, and they often find success in their careers after they graduate. To encourage this continued success and impact, the Office of Student Life continually looks for ways to tweak and improve the program, allowing the Elite Connection to adapt to the needs of the university and the student body over time. Fall 2026 has introduced some of the biggest changes in the program since its founding. Under the direction of Dr. A. Dominique Williams, Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement, the Elite Connection introduced four new titles: Mister and Miss Lion Pride and Mister and Miss 1897. These titles replaced the two attendants and two escorts. Because Mister and Miss Orange & Blue are always freshmen and Mister and Miss Langston University tend to be upperclassmen, Dr. Williams wanted to build in representation for sophomores and juniors in the Elite Connection while also providing a little more structure to the court. As such, the titles of Mister and Miss Lion Pride will be held by sophomores each year, and the titles of
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Elite Connection has a community service initiative they spearhead. The initiatives are unique to each court member because it’s meant to be a cause they are passionate about. As part of their initiative, they each host at least one event per semester. These events are both community and student oriented, and they give the title-holders experience in event planning and hosting.
Mister and Miss 1897 will typically be held by juniors each year. The titles of Mister and Miss Langston University and Mister and Miss Orange & Blue are won by competing in their respective scholarship pageants. The first runners-up of the Mister and Miss Langston University pageants are offered the roles of Mister and Miss 1897. The first runners-up of the Mister and Miss Orange & Blue pageants are offered the roles of Mister and Miss Lion Pride for the following school year. If anyone declines their offered title, the student body has the opportunity to vote on who will fill that role. “My goal with this structure is to allow each of them to shine,” Dr. Williams said. “They all have an opportunity to host their own programming under their titles, and they can also do appearances on their own as well.” Dr. Williams said it’s important to take opportunities to continue improving the Elite Connection because it is an integral part of Langston University’s HBCU identity. Royal courts are pillars of HBCU culture, and Langston University has long excelled at making its royal court stand out from the rest. From having a unique name beyond “royal court” to its refined professional appearance while in “court mode,” the Elite Connection reminds everyone about what makes Oklahoma’s HBCU great. “Being able to see kind of the glitz and glam of it all, from the boys to the girls, just seeing all of that, I think, is important,” Dr. Williams said. “It’s almost like a debutante ball, but within the Black community. And I think this is a cool opportunity to see that where we don’t typically see that.” Being part of the Elite Connection isn’t just about visuals and. traditions, though. It’s also about tangible service and leadership development. In addition to their formal appearances, each member of the
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The Elite Connection members also receive professional development opportunities for things like public speaking, and they have opportunities to attend special conferences and competitions only open to campus royalty. Students at Langston University have been able to benefit from these experiences for two decades, and the effects are visible. Belmon said, in her opinion, one of the biggest markers of success for the Elite Connection is how many members stay connected to the university after graduation. The gentlemen who served as escorts on the first Elite Connection are donors who are actively involved in Homecoming and sporting events. Belmon herself serves as Langston University’s Director of Alumni Affairs, working with other alumni to find ways to stay engaged with Dear Langston. “They were developed as student leaders because, like I said, it was Dezz's vision that we have this whole royal court,” Belmon said. “And they all, literally every single one of them, when I see them, they're doing something to engage or support Langston (University).” For 20 years, the Elite Connection has served Dear Langston’s campus community as an embodiment of HBCU culture and tradition. As the university celebrates this anniversary, the students and alumni of the Elite Connection continue to strive for greatness as they represent their HBCU.
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ASCEND
Langston University receives $2.25 millionNSF award to advance STEM student success by Ellie Melero
The Langston University School of Arts and Sciences announced it received a multi-million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which is being used to launch a new program aimed at student success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The five-year award totals $2,249,925, and it comes from the NSF's HBCU-UP Program. The School of Arts and Sciences plans to use the money to launch the Advancing STEM Competencies and Enhancing New Discoveries with AI-Assisted Learning Analytics (ASCEND) program. The ASCEND program is designed to strengthen student achievement, persistence and success in STEM. “This NSF-funded project at Langston University advances STEM student success through an innovative AI-assisted learning model that strengthens problem-solving, scientific reasoning and retention,” said Dr. Franklin Fondjo Fotou, the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. “It expands STEM undergraduate academic support programs and interdisciplinary learning opportunities while building new resources for innovation and data visualization. The project will generate evidence-based practices to improve STEM outcomes and broaden participation in STEM careers and graduate education.” The project is led by retired LU faculty member and former Interim Dean of the Schools of Arts and Sciences Dr. John Coleman. Working alongside him as co-principle investigators are current faculty from the Departments of Chemistry, Biology and Technology: Dr. Lindsay Davis, Dr. Byron Quinn and Dr. Fondjo Fotou. Ralph Grayson, Chair of the Department of Computer Science, will also help as the lead for artificial intelligence development and technology support. ASCEND focuses on challenges students encounter in foundational “gatekeeping” STEM courses such as calculus, general chemistry and physics. In these courses, gaps in mathematics preparation, quantitative reasoning, conceptual
understanding and problem-solving skills can hinder a student’s progress toward their STEM degree. At the heart of ASCEND is Competency Performance Recording for Learning (CPR-L), an instructional strategy developed by Dr. Coleman and his team through earlier NSF-funded initiatives. CPR-L requires students to demonstrate not only that they can arrive at the correct answer, but that they understand and can articulate the reasoning behind it. Through brief 2–4-minute video recordings, students explain not only how they solve STEM problems but why their approaches work. Directional rubrics help students identify misconceptions, refine their reasoning and strengthen problem-solving skills. AI-assisted learning analytics will enhance CPR-L by helping faculty identify patterns in student reasoning and provide timely, targeted feedback. CPR-L also creates a verifiable record of student reasoning that discourages “plug-and-play,” which is when students use a solved example problem as a model and plug in variables from a new problem to find a solution while bypassing the need to learn and apply core concepts. Additionally, it discourages pattern matching, inappropriate reliance on AI-generated solutions and academic dishonesty. “CPR-L enhanced by AI-assisted learning analytics has the potential to be a game changer for STEM education,” Dr. Coleman said. “We want to identify where students’ understanding breaks down and use that knowledge to help more students succeed and persist in STEM.” Coleman’s team estimates approximately 480 students will participate in ASCEND over the next five years. In addition to the student support it will offer, ASCEND will also provide faculty professional development and utilize Langston University’s Data Visualization Center to support learning analytics and interdisciplinary collaboration. The NSF award will fund the ASCEND program through Aug. 31, 2031. Ultimately, ASCEND seeks to improve student performance, retention and graduation, support undergraduate research, and evaluate the potential for CPR-L and AI-assisted learning analytics to be replicated across STEM disciplines and institutions nationwide.
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A BRIGHTER FUTURE
Langston University announces executive leadership realignment, creation of new divisions, President’s Cabinet by Ellie Melero
Langston University announced a new administrative realignment intended to strengthen the university’s leadership structure and better support the university’s mission following approval by its Board of Regents on Sept. 11. During the regular meeting of the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents, Langston University received formal approval for an administrative realignment that includes the creation of two divisions, the dissolution of a previously existing division and the addition of a vice president for a previously existing division. Additionally, the university’s Senior Leadership Team has officially transitioned into a broader executive team known as the President’s Cabinet. Parts of the realignment had been approved by the Board at its regular meeting in June, but the Board’s approval on Friday finalized the rest of the changes. The new organizational structure reflects a deliberate effort from Langston University to strengthen its leadership accountability, right-size the organization and better align responsibilities with the university's strategic priorities. “We are excited to be able to announce this administrative
realignment and the new opportunities it creates for the future of our institution,” said President Ruth Ray Jackson. “We were very intentional about the changes we made to ensure that our structure supports our strategy, that responsibilities are clearly assigned, and that our resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact on student success an institutional effectiveness.” As part of the realignment, the university has introduced two new divisions: the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and the Division of University Relations. The Division of Strategic Enrollment Management will include the Office of Strategic Enrollment Management, the Office of Admissions, Recruitment and Outreach Services, and the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. As enrollment is a pressing strategic priority that directly impacts student success, institutional sustainability and state funding, creating a dedicated vice presidency establishes executive accountability for enrollment outcomes, aligns all enrollment functions under one leader, improves coordination from recruitment through persistence, and provides focused
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cultivation of institutional partnerships.” Powell previously served as the Vice President for Operations, in charge of the Division of Operations. With the realignment, the Division of Operations has been dissolved. The offices under the Division of Operations have been reassigned under the new and existing divisions. With the realignment, the Division of Student Affairs has also
Lindsey R. Hunter Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management.
Lindsey Hunter is the inaugural Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management. The Division of University Relations will encompass formalized Board and Legislative Relations, Public Relations, Strategic Initiatives, Economic Development, and Career and Professional Development. This new vice presidency creates executive accountability for Board engagement and external partnerships, and it aligns Career and Professional Development with employer, community and partnership development. It also allows for greater focus on institutional strategy, presidential initiatives and organizational coordination.
Theresa Powell Vice President for University Relations and Chief of Staff.
Theresa Powell is the inaugural Vice President for University Relations and Chief of Staff. “Under our previous organizational model, several important functions did not have a natural organizational home or a single executive accountable for outcomes,” Powell said. “This position consolidates those responsibilities under a Chief of Staff model focused on strategic coordination and relationship management. It’s designed to build capacity within several areas including strategic planning, economic development and the
Joshua A. Busby Dean of Students to Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.
added a vice presidential role. Joshua A. Busby has been promoted from Dean of Students to Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. He will continue to lead the Division of Student Affairs. The change came about because the role has expanded significantly beyond the traditional Dean of Students' functions since Busby first took over the position. It now includes broader oversight of student affairs operations and executive-level leadership responsibilities, and the revised title more accurately reflects that scope of responsibility, recognizes the position's role as a cabinet-level officer, and establishes clear executive accountability for the student experience, student engagement and student-facing initiatives. Vice President Hunter, Vice President Powell and Vice President Busby are all members of the President’s Cabinet, the university’s executive-level administrative team that replaced the Senior Leadership Team. The President’s Cabinet also includes Vice President for Academic Affairs Alonzo Peterson, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Diana Lasswell, and Vice President for Fiscal and Administrative Affairs Mark Rasor. The President’s Cabinet is led by President Jackson.
Meet The staff
Theresa Powell
Vice President for University Relations
heleen sheets
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