Revival Leadership Summit Booklet

10 DAYS OF TRANSFORMATION

Revival Leadership Summit Welcome to 10 Days of Transformation

2024 Initiative: “Strategies, Structures and Sustainability for Student Success” Facilitators: HBCU Partners from Various Institutions Revival: A period of instance of renewed interest, activity, or vitality in particular area, often characterized by a resurgence or revitalization of practices, beliefs, or movements that were previously dormant, declining, or neglected.

Summit Goals

Strategic Implementation Proficiency: Gain proficiency in implementing strategic initiatives tailored to enhance student success and retention, aligning with organizational goals and student needs.

Structural Optimization Skills: Develop skills in optimizing organizational structures and systems to support student success and retention efforts, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in implementation.

Sustainability Integration Mastery: Master the integration of sustainability principles into student success initiatives, fostering resilience and long-term viability of programs and support mechanisms.

Data-Driven Decision-Making Expertise: Acquire expertise in utilizing data analytics and assessment tools to inform decision-making processes, enabling evidence-based strategies for improving student retention and success.

Leadership in Student-Centric Cultures: Cultivate leadership practices that foster a student-centric culture within educational institutions, prioritizing student success and retention as central components of institutional mission and vision.

Revival Leadership Summit WEEK ONE AGENDA DATE

TIME

MINUTES

SESSION | FACILITATOR | LOCATION

45

General Session with President Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr. | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All

10:00 AM

45

Session A: “Deconstructing Me” with Dr. Tiyahri Wilson | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All

1:00 PM

45

9:00 AM Day #1: May 15, 2024 Focus: Fostering a Student Centric Culture

10:00 AM

60

11:00 AM

45

1:00 PM

60

Session B: With Dr. DeNeia Thomas – “Fostering a Student Centric Culture of Leadership” | Baker Science Auditorium | Audience: All General Session – “Reviving the Soul, Resetting the Heart, Reframing Student Success at Wiley University” with Dr. Andrea Neal | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All

Day #2: May 16, 2024 Focus: Enabling Evidence Based Strategies

Day #3: May 17, 2024

10:00 AM

45

Focus: Fostering Resilience and Support

1:00 PM

60

Session A: “Creating Culturally Safe Spaces” with Dr. Danielle Sims-Brooks & Mrs. Krystal Moody | Baker Science Auditorium | Audience: Faculty Session B: “Revival to Revolution: A Call to Action” with Dr. Andrea Neal Thomas Winston Cole Library Audience: All Department leads with Direct Reports Session A: “Support Begins from Within” with Dr. Kishia James | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All Session B: “Fostering Student Resilience: A Wellness Panel” with Dr. Kisha James & Community Partners | Hodge Auditorium | Audience: All

Revival Leadership Summit WEEK TWO AGENDA DATE

TIME

9:00 AM

Day #1: May 20, 2024 Focus: Prioritizing Student Success and Retention

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

1:00 PM

MINUTES

SESSION | FACILITATOR | LOCATION

45

General Session - “Everybody Graduates at Paul Quinn” with Dr. Paula Mason | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All

45

Session A: Paul Quinn University Presidential Cabinet | Baker Science Auditorium | Audience: Wiley Presidential Cabinet Members

60

Session B: Paul Quinn University Director’s Cabinet | Baker Science Auditorium | Audience: Wiley University Directors

45

45 9:00 AM

Day #2: May 21, 2024

10:00 AM

45

Focus: Leading with Courage 11:00 AM

1:00 PM

45

45

Session C: “A Presidential Presentation“ with President Michael J Sorrell of Paul Quinn University | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All

General Session - “Words of Wisdom” with President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, Claflin University | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All Session A: Claflin University Student Affairs | Baker Science Auditorium | Audience: Wiley University Student Affairs Session B: Claflin University Enrollment Management | Hodge Auditorium | Audience: Wiley University Enrollment Management Session C: Claflin University Honors College | Thomas Winston Cole Library | Audience: Wiley University Honors College Professionals Session D: Claflin University Finance | Hodge Auditorium | Audience: Wiley University Finance Session E: “Operating in Administrative Excellence” with Ms. Lavel Jones | Baker Science Auditorium | Audience: Wiley University Administrative Professionals

Revival Leadership Summit WEEK TWO AGENDA (CONT’D) DATE

TIME

MINUTES

SESSION | FACILITATOR | LOCATION

90

General Session - “Wellness that Leads to Operational Excellence” with President Dr. Lucas & Guest | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All

45

General Session – “Institutional Excellence” with President A. Zachary Faison of Edwards Waters University | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All

45

Session A: “Optimal Excellence” with Genyne Henry Boston | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All

Day #3: May 22, 2024 Focus: Wellness that Leads to Operational Excellence

10:00 AM

9:00 AM

Day #4: May 23, 2024 Focus: Optimization Efficiency & Excellence

10:00 AM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

45

45

Session B: Edward Waters University Marketing & IT | Baker Science Auditorium | Audience: Wiley University Marketing & IT Session C: Edward Waters University Athletics | Baker Science Auditorium | Audience: Wiley University Athletics General Session - “Learning Outcomes with Leaders” with Wiley University Executive Cabinet Panel | Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All

Day #5: May 24, 2024

10:00 AM

45

Focus: Moving Forward Aligning with Organizational Goals and Student Needs

1:00 PM

60

CLOSING SESSION with President Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr. Julius S. Scott, Sr. Chapel | Audience: All

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Rest, Relax and Reflect

Day #6: May 25, 2024

Revival Leadership Summit MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Before he was appointed as Wiley University’s 17th President & CEO, he served as Wilberforce University's 21st president. His leadership experience has included service as a chief operating officer, senior vice president, and vice president at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. He is also a former director of development and lecturer in the Government, Law, and International Affairs Department at Murray State University in Kentucky. These experiences have informed his educational philosophy and commitment to generating access to higher education, increasing innovation, and increasing resources to ensure the sustainability of HBCUs.

Herman J. Felton, Jr., PH.D., J.D. 17th President & CEO Wiley University

Herman J. Felton Jr., Ph.D., J.D., is the 17th President & CEO of Wiley University.

President Felton began his service to Wiley University in the summer of 2018, signaling the Bold and Audacious Vision. In this short period of time, he has achieved significant accomplishments, including spearheading a campaign with College alumni and supporters that has supported the renovation and modernization of the Thomas W. Cole, Sr. Library.

He has successfully garnered support from the Marshall Economic Development Corporation to renovate KBWC, the University’s radio station, launched the Heman Sweatt Center for Social Good and Leadership, created a training space for physical education majors, and implemented the student health, counseling, and wellness unit staffed with full-time licensed practitioners. Through President Felton's leadership, the College has received over $20 million in grants and gifts, generating some of the largest gifts in the University's history. In addition to his accomplishments on Wiley’s campus, President Felton has immersed himself in the fabric of the Marshall Community, where he is a member of the Marshall Rotary Club, the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, and the Citizens Advisory Council.

President Felton earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida. Also, he earned his Juris Doctorate from the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida and completed his graduate work at Jackson State University, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration and Supervision.

He is co-founder of the Higher Education Leadership Foundation (H.E.L.F.), an organization ensuring that a pipeline of transformational, highly skilled, and principled leaders are identified and cultivated to meet the needs, challenges and opportunities facing the Nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. President Felton served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years. He is married to the lovely Katherine Anne Felton and is the father of Jamal, Paige, and Herman, III (Trey).

Dr. Tiyahri Wilson, LMHC, is a distinguished thought leader in higher education leadership initiatives, renowned for her extensive expertise in operational management, project leadership, and student affairs. With over two decades of experience in mental health counseling, psychology, and higher education administration, Dr. Wilson has continually demonstrated a commitment to fostering holistic leadership development and organizational excellence.

As the Associate Vice President of University Leadership Initiatives at Wiley University, Dr. Wilson spearheads the design and implementation of comprehensive leadership development programs tailored to faculty, staff, and students across all university domains.

Leveraging her background as a licensed mental health counselor and psychologist, she applies a holistic approach to leadership education, emphasizing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and intrinsic motivation.

Dr. Tiyahri Wilson, LMHC

Associate Vice President of University Leadership Initiatives, Wiley University

Dr. Wilson's leadership extends beyond Wiley University, as evidenced by her tenure as Dean of Student Responsibility and University Standards at Texas Southern University, where she oversaw judicial affairs and student conduct for a diverse student body exceeding 10,000 individuals. In this role, she provided strategic guidance and proactive leadership to ensure the alignment of institutional objectives with student needs, thereby fostering a positive campus climate conducive to academic success and personal development.

Throughout her career, Dr. Wilson has been a trailblazer in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the higher education landscape. As a Certified Title IX Administrator and Investigator, she has championed initiatives to prevent and address discrimination, sexual misconduct, and gender-based violence, working tirelessly to cultivate safe and inclusive learning environments for all members of the university community.

In addition to her administrative roles, Dr. Wilson is a dynamic facilitator and conference speaker, having led numerous workshops and training sessions on topics such as trauma-informed sexual assault investigations, bystander intervention, and cultural competency. Her dedication to student leadership development is evident through her creation of innovative programs such as leadership certificate programs, peer mentorship initiatives, and diversity and inclusion leadership programs, all aimed at empowering students to become ethical, inclusive, and transformative leaders in their communities.

Dr. Wilson holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, an M.S. in Psychology, a B.S. in Child & Family Studies, and an A.A. in Human Services.

She is a lifelong learner committed to professional growth, as evidenced by her extensive list of certifications and professional development experiences.

Dr. DeNeia Thomas

Dean of the College of Professional Studies, Lincoln University

DeNeia Thomas, PhD serves as the Dean of the College of Professional Studies and as the former Acting Provost and Sr. Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Lincoln University (MO).

As Dean, Dr. Thomas holds supervisory responsibility over the Schools of Business, Education, and Nursing offering forward-thinking leadership and guidance to the Department Chairs, and the Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

With over two decades of experience, expertise, and a proven track record of academic excellence and innovation, Dr. Thomas brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to student success. Her demonstrated consistency in fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment and dedication to empowering students and faculty alike is a perfect alignment perfectly with the mission of access to excellent educational opportunities through teaching, research, and extension services within a nurturing, student-centered environment.

Previously, Dr. Thomas has served in numerous higher education administrative roles, and as a full professor with tenure including, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success at Texas Southern University; Chief of Staff at West Virginia State University; Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness at Kentucky State University, and Comprehensive Assessment Director at Eastern Kentucky University. She has also held K-12 executive-level positions, including at the Kentucky Department of Education, and serves as the principal consultant with the E.D.U.C.A.T.E. group, to name a few.

Dr. Thomas is a native of Kentucky. She earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in educational psychology and an Ed.S. in school psychology from the University of Kentucky. She completed her B.S. in psychology from Kentucky State University. She holds certifications with concentrations in psycho-social implications for school and community-based learning, socialization processes, motivation, school attachment, psychometry, assessment, accountability, evaluation, and organizational management. She has been married for 29 years to her soul mate, Derrick, and they have two adult Sons.

Dr. Andrea Neal serves as the Associate Vice Provost for the Office of Academic Engagement at Norfolk State University, where she provides strategic leadership, oversight, and guidance for all freshman and sophomore academic initiatives. In this role, she oversees several student success units and initiatives, including university academic advising, mentoring, tutoring, summer bridge programs, the University's Pathfinder's Program, and the University and the Writing Center.

As a key leader in the Division of Academic Affairs, Dr. Neal collaborates with the Provost, faculty, and staff to create and facilitate conceptual framework teams for new initiatives and serves as the Academic Affairs liaison with the Division of Student Affairs, especially in correlation with freshman and sophomore initiatives. She also provides oversight and leadership to the Undergraduate Research and Mentorship Initiative.

Dr. Andrea Neal

Associate Vice Provost for the Office of Academic Engagement, Norfolk State University

Dr. Neal holds a BA in communications with a concentration in speech and an MA in sociology from Fayetteville State University.

She completed PhD coursework in Leadership Studies at North Carolina A&T State University and earned an Ed.D in Educational Leadership, concentrating in higher education leadership, from Nova Southeastern University. Throughout her 20-year career in higher education, she has demonstrated a tireless commitment to marginalized populations, student advocacy, leadership development, student success strategies, and holistic service.

Her servant and transformational leadership approaches, exemplified by creating academic success programs and fostering a collaborative work environment, have empowered students and colleagues to achieve success and take on leadership roles within the campus community and beyond. An experienced grant writer, Neal has secured countless grants, most recently a $2.3 million award to support Pell-eligible students and students who are parents at NSU. She has also presented at numerous regional and national conferences. Dr. Neal also serves as founder and lead consultant for A+ Grant Writing and Consulting, a consultant firm providing strategic, leadership, and coaching support to various organizations.

In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Neal is finalizing her book, "First and Thriving," which draws upon her extensive experience in higher education and her passion for empowering at-promise students to succeed. When not working tirelessly to support student success, Dr. Neal enjoys spending time with her family, outdoors activities, listening to music, cooking and learning new things, bringing a well-rounded perspective to her role as an educator and leader.

Dr. Danielle Sims Brooks serves as Vice President for Student Development, Enrollment Management, and Strategic Retention at Wiley University. With over 15 years of service in higher education in various roles, Dr. Brooks’ current leadership portfolio includes Residence Life and Housing, Office of the Dean of Student Engagement, Student Engagement, Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management, Student Health, Wellness, and Counseling, and Career Services, Student Transitions, and Strategic Retention.

Dr. Danielle Sims-Brooks Vice President for Student Development, Enrollment Management, and Strategic Retention, Wiley University

Prior to Wiley, Dr. Brooks served as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/ Chief Diversity Officer (Jefferson Community and Technical College), Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga), Assistant Director for Student Housing (University of Mississippi), Residence Hall Director (Clayton State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Lipscomb University). Dr. Brooks received her B.S. in Psychology from Tennessee State University, her M.Ed. in Education Administration and Supervision from Lipscomb University, and Ed.D. in Postsecondary Leadership from Western Kentucky University.

Dr. Brooks’ research interests are Black women in leadership and their challenges and historically black colleges and universities.

Dr. Brooks and her husband, Dr. Darrius Brooks, and daughter Dylan Brooks enjoy travelling and exploring the Great State of Texas.

Mrs. Krystal Moody is a highly accomplished human resources professional with nearly 20 years of distinguished experience in the higher education sector. Hailing from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Mrs. Moody earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi and subsequently completed her master's degree at Colorado State University - Global.

Over the course of her career, Mrs. Moody has dedicated over a decade to Wiley University, where she has honed her expertise in human resources, specializing in recruitment, employee relations, and benefits administration. Her tenure at Wiley University has provided her with invaluable insights and knowledge, contributing to her reputation as a trusted leader in her field.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Mrs. Moody finds fulfillment in her role as a devoted wife of 19 years and a proud bonus mom to three remarkable children.

Krystal Moody

Chief Human Resources Officer, Wiley University

Striking a harmonious balance between her personal and professional life, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication to both her career advancement and the cultivation of strong familial bonds.

Driven by a profound desire to make a positive impact, Mrs. Moody leverages her skills and experience to effect meaningful change within the higher education landscape. With a steadfast commitment to continuous growth and development, she remains deeply passionate about empowering others to thrive in their academic and professional pursuits.

Mrs. Krystal Moody's unwavering dedication to excellence and her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of success make her an invaluable asset to the higher education community.

Kishia Carrington James, Ed.D., is the Director of Counseling Services at Jarvis Christian University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Arts in School Counseling, and Master of School Administration from North Carolina Central University.

She also received a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with a focus on social justice and transformational leadership from Fayetteville State University. Dr. James has over twenty-three years of experience in K-12 and Higher Education. She has been a District Administrator and School Administrator and certified as a National Board-Certified School Counselor with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In addition, she is a Lecturer at San Francisco State University in the country’s first College of Ethnic Studies, teaching a “Black Child Development” course.

Kishia Carrington James, Ed.D Director of Counseling Services, Jarvis Christian University

She is an avid educator, servant and transformational leader, seasoned presenter, and published author with a passion to provide equitable supports to underserved populations.

Her social justice leadership includes counseling and administrative roles in schools, school districts, and now, in higher education.

She has been recognized for her work by a media outlet for being a fervent leader with a conscientious lens for holistically supporting students. As a result, this reduced the dropout rate and increased the graduation rate of an urban school district.

Dr. James is a published author of Turnaround Principals: Passionate Leaders Who Can Improve Low-Performing Schools. In this work, she highlights the need for educational leaders to hold a critical consciousness for sustainably improving underperforming schools. This work helps others to understand the systemic and structural racism that is embedded in America’s educational system.

She is the co-editor of The Gloria Ladson-Billings Reader text, which highlights Gloria Ladson-Billings seminal works on culturally relevant pedagogy and understanding how race and racism impacts the educational experiences of African American students. Recently, she has published article “A Plea for Critically Conscious and Restorative Educational Leaders in America’s Most Vulnerable Public Schools” which was released in the Recipes to Combat the Isms: A Guidebook for Educational Leadership Preparation Programs text.

Her advocacy for marginalized students and families comes from her late father’s dedication for social change. She is married and provides love and support to her stepson and nephew as they develop into young African American men.

Dr. Michael J. Sorrell is the longest-serving President in the 151 – year history of Paul Quinn College. During his 16 years of leadership, Paul Quinn has become nationally celebrated for its ability to reimagine higher education to better serve the needs of today’s students and their communities.

Included among Paul Quinn’s numerous accomplishments during President Sorrell’s tenure are the following: improving graduation rates by more than 30%; reducing the average student loan debt by $30,0000; building the first new buildings on campus in 50 years; creating the Urban Work College Model; winning the HBCU of the Year, HBCU Student Government Association of the Year, and HBCU Business Program of the Year awards; demolishing 16 campus buildings; partnering with PepsiCo to transform the football field into the WE over Me Farm; achieving full-accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS); creating the College’s first faculty-led study abroad program; and rewriting all institutional fundraising records.

President Dr. Michael J. Sorrell President, Paul Quinn College

Dr. Sorrell is one of the most celebrated college presidents in America. Among his most notable awards and recognitions are the following: being named one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine; receiving the George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation; being the only three-time recipient of the HBCU Male President of the Year Award (2018, 2016 and 2012); and winning Education Dive’s Higher Education’s President of the Year Award. Time Magazine listed him as one of the “31 People Changing the South.” Washington Monthly Magazine identified Dr. Sorrell as one of America’s 10 Most Innovative College Presidents and Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. and PUSH/Excel honored him with its Education Leadership Award.

Michael is the recipient of both the Dallas Bar Association’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Award, and the City of Dallas’ Father of the Year Award.

Additionally, Dr. Sorrell has received Distinguished Alumni Awards from Duke University, the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, and St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, Illinois, and the A. Kenneth Pye Award for Excellence in Education from Duke University’s School of Law Alumni Association. Michael is a past recipient of the Dallas Urban League’s Torch for Community Leadership and the President’s and C.B. Bunkley Awards from J.L. Turner for his outstanding contributions to the Dallas legal community. Michael has received honorary degrees from Austin College and his alma mater, Oberlin College.

Michael received his J.D. and M.A. in Public Policy from Duke University and his Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

While in law school, he was one of the founding members of the Journal of Gender Law & Policy and served as the Vice President of the Duke Bar Association. Michael was a recipient of a Sloan Foundation Graduate Fellowship, which funded his studies at both Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government (as a graduate fellow) and Duke University. He graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in Government, served as Secretary-Treasurer of his senior class, was a two-time captain of the men’s varsity basketball team, and graduated as the school’s fifth all-time leading scorer.

President Sorrell serves as the chair of the Board of Governors for the Dallas Foundation and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees for both the Hockaday School. He is also the co-chair for the Aspen Prize. He is a trustee for the American Council of Education, College Track Duke University’s School of Law, and the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Michael is also a member of the advisory boards of Advancing Black Pathways (JPMC), Handshake, GSV, Guild, and Amegy Bank. He is a corporate director for Mainstay.

President Sorrell is married to the former Natalie Jenkins. Natalie is an alumna of Spelman College and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. They have two children, Michael Augustus and Sage Louise-Sinclair.

Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack began his tenure as the ninth president of Claflin University on August 1, 2019, joining the pantheon of distinguished leaders of the first historically black college or university in South Carolina.

Dr. Warmack was selected by the Claflin University Board of Trustees based on his commitment to academic integration and the holistic development of students. He is committed to developing programs that promote diversity, pluralism, and cultural competency. Throughout his career, he has championed inclusion, academic excellence, and the retention of underrepresented students. Over the years, he has presented more than 120 diversity and leadership presentations and workshops to an array of individuals and groups.

At Claflin University, Dr. Warmack will remain committed to excellence and to move the President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack university forward to higher levels of national distinction and recognitions.

President, Claflin University

Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Warmack served as president of Harris-Stowe State University for five years. He has more than 20 years of progressive administrative experience in higher education at five distinct institutions. Dr. Warmack provided leadership to more than 450 full and part-time faculty and staff and had oversight of a budget in excess of $32 million. Under his tenure, Harris-Stowe witnessed a transformation, unheralded in its 160-year history. Dr. Warmack shepherded more than $15 million in external funding to the institution, including a $5 million grant, the largest in the institution’s history.

Dr. Warmack is a scholar-practitioner and possesses a wealth of experience in program design, faculty, student development, assessment, and accreditation. His trajectory in higher education has been extraordinary. Prior to his appointment as president of Harris-Stowe, he served as the senior vice president, administration, and student services at Bethune-Cookman University, overseeing a staff of 170. Among his several successes at that institution, Dr. Warmack provided oversight of a multi-million-dollar renovation of the institution’s residence halls. Prior to his tenure at Bethune-Cookman, he served as the associate dean of students at Rhodes College in Memphis, where he led the department of Student Affairs in judicial affairs, student activities, Greek life, new student and parent orientation and multicultural affairs. He also held positions at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., and Delta State University.

A visionary with a unique understanding and appreciation for today’s Generation Z students, Dr. Warmack provides a brand of leadership that is characterized by an unqualified insistence on data driven decision-making and a commitment to higher education’s current best practices.

To bolster his executive acumen, Dr. Warmack has participated in a variety of professional development opportunities, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI), and Hampton University’s “On the Road to the Presidency: Executive Leadership Summit.” In 2019, Dr. Warmack was selected and conducted global research as an Eisenhower Fellow.

Dr. Warmack was named the Delta State University “Black Alumnus of the Year” and was inducted into the institution’s Hall of Fame. Other awards and recognitions for his work in higher education and the community include but not limited to, Delux Magazine Power 100 “Trailblazer Award” Recipient, St. Louis Business Journal “40 under 40,” St. Louis American “Salute to Excellence Young Leader Award,” The Rickey Smiley Foundation “Trailblazer Award,” Who’s Who in Color Most Intriguing People and “Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2018.”

Dr. Warmack was appointed as Chairman of the Missouri Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Statewide Commission in 2015 and served as Chairman for four years. He previously served on the boards of the Cortex Innovation Community, the Saint Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Regional Chamber, St. Louis Muny, the Greater St. Louis Area Council Boy Scouts of America and Millennium Leadership Initiative Executive Steering Committee. Other past board memberships include the United Way of Greater St. Louis, Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA) Foundation, and the Alumni Board of Directors for Delta State University. Dr. Warmack is a peer reviewer with the Higher Learning Commission, the largest regional accreditation body in the United States.

Dr. Warmack earned a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in sociology from Delta State University. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership with a specialization in higher education from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, and his post-doctoral studies in educational leadership at Harvard University School of Education.

Dr. Warmack is married to LaKisha Warmack and they have one daughter, Morgan.

Dr. Hakim Lucas is the13th President & CEO of Virginia Union University, and Executive Director of the Center for the Study of HBCUs. He is a strong advocate for student-driven policies and the inclusiveness of students and faculty in developing and implementing the university’s strategic plan. He is also a strong believer in the importance and significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and works to ensure their viable sustainability. With more than two decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Lucas’ success includes fundraising, strategic planning, and the engagement and retention of students in challenging educational experiences.

Dr. Lucas earned a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, a master’s degree in teaching (History) from Tufts University, an Executive MBA from Stetson University, and a Master of Divinity (Church History) from Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University. He earned his doctoral degree in education from Fordham University. He is a transcendent leader who has chosen education as his form of advocating for social justice.

President Dr. Hakim Lucas 13th President & CEO, Virginia Union University

As such, he is active with several advisory councils and organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Free Masonry, and 100 Black Men. As a leader in the research of HBCUs, Dr. Lucas is the editor-in-chief of a series of publications on HBCUs for Information Age Publishing. He is also a senior research fellow with the Southern Education Foundation. In 2019, his latest book was published titled Not for Ourselves Alone: Legacies of Two Pioneers of Black Higher Education in the United States.

Mrs. LaVel D. Jones

Program Management Specialist, Bowie State University

Mrs. LaVel D. Jones is a seasoned Program Management Specialist with an illustrious career spanning over three decades. Armed with a Master's in Public Administration (MPA).

She has honed her expertise in orchestrating and executing multifaceted programs with precision and finesse. Her proficiency is underscored by her certifications from esteemed institutions such as the Project Management Institute (PMI), as well as certifications in Human Resource Management (HRM), Leadership & Management (L & M), and a distinguished Notary accreditation.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Jones has distinguished herself as a stalwart in the administrative realm, seamlessly blending her academic acumen with hands-on experience.

Her tenure has seen her navigate complex projects, leveraging her strategic insight and adept organizational skills to deliver results that exceed expectations. Whether it's steering largescale initiatives or spearheading teams towards common objectives, Mrs. Jones's leadership is characterized by an unwavering commitment to excellence and efficiency.

As a session facilitator for the esteemed Wiley University 2024 "Revival Leadership Summit," Mrs. Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and practical wisdom to the forefront. Her role transcends mere facilitation; she serves as a beacon of inspiration and empowerment, imparting invaluable insights gleaned from her extensive career journey. With a keen understanding of program dynamics and an innate ability to foster collaboration, she cultivates an environment conducive to learning and innovation.

Mrs. Jones's accolades speak volumes about her dedication and expertise. Her proficiency in program management, coupled with her adeptness in human resource management, positions her as a versatile professional capable of navigating diverse challenges with poise and proficiency. Moreover, her status as a Notary underscores her commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

In essence, Mrs. LaVel D. Jones embodies the epitome of an administrative professional par excellence. With a legacy spanning three decades, she continues to inspire and influence individuals across the spectrum, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of program management and leadership.

Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr. is the 1st President and CEO of Edward Waters University took the helm of Edward Waters College, the State of Florida’s first private independent institution of higher learning and first Historically Black College or University (HBCU), in July 2018 post a unanimous vote by its Board of Trustees making him at age 37 the nation’s youngest HBCU President or Chancellor.

Since that time President Faison has led in the development and implementation of an ambitious strategic plan for the institution, titled: ‘Eminence 2025’. Under the leadership of President Faison, the institution has undergone a historic transformation having been authorized by its accrediting body, (SACSCOC) to move from a baccalaureate to a master’s level degree-granting institution and ascending after 155 years from Edward Waters College to Edward Waters University (EWU) in June 2021. Accordingly, under President Faison’s leadership EWU has launched a total of ten new academic degree programs comprising of President Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr. the institution’s first ever graduate programs which include the Master of Business President and CEO, Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Cybersecurity, Edward Waters University and Master of Education Policy & Advocacy (MEPA).

Named the 2023 HBCU President of the Year by HBCU Mister & Miss, Inc., cited as one of the 10 Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2022 by the HBCU Campaign Fund, and recognized by both the Jacksonville Business Journal and Jacksonville Record & Observer as an ‘Ultimate CEO’ and one of Jacksonville’s Top Newsmakers, President Faison with the support of a phenomenal team of dedicated academicians and administrators, has led EWU in achieving record high enrollment, extraordinary programmatic, academic, and athletic profile advancement, and unprecedented fundraising and fiscal management success.

In particular, EWU has experienced phenomenal growth as overall enrollment at EWU has skyrocketed by nearly 30% since 2019 welcoming the institutions highest number of new students on record in 2022 culminating in a total enrollment of nearly 1200 students —the highest overall enrollment the institution has seen in nearly twenty years. Equally noteworthy, and pursuant to President Faison’s dynamic leadership, EWU eliminated an inherited multimillion dollar operating deficit and has subsequently achieved multiple successive fiscal year-end surplus’s to date for the first time in over two decades. In 2022, President Faison secured the institutions largest ever private gift to its endowment ($2.5 million) and he has led EWU in completing nearly $25 million in campus capital improvements. Most notably, under President Faison’s leadership campus capital improvements have included but not been limited to the full renovation of the University’s largest student residence facility; construction of a new student activity center; new construction of the University’s first ever on-campus athletic stadium; full renovation of the basketball and volleyball arena; installation of new outdoor tennis and basketball courts; renovation of the University’s science and mathematics building and biology laboratory; new construction of a campus fitness and wellness center; and a complete renovation and new construction of the campus dining hall scheduled for completion in Fall 2024.

Remarkably, under President Faison’s administration EWU’s athletics program has achieved NCAA Division II membership for the first time in institutional history and regained membership in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) after a nearly 90-year hiatus. Pursuant to President Faison’s leadership the university has launched a total of five new sports, including its first ever soccer, men’s volleyball, tennis, and men’s and women’s indoor track programs as well as the return of the university’s golf program.

Additionally, during President Faison’s tenure EWU raised its admissions standards to increase its competitive profile while simultaneously establishing the institutions first-ever Honors College having secured new honors student cohorts (i.e., Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon Cohorts) in each of the past five years boasting of an average 4.1 GPA and over 1200 on the SAT. Relatedly, under President Faison’s leadership the university launched the nationally renowned Stay Woke: President’s Distinguished Speaker Series; the A. Philip Randolph Institute for Race, Law, Social Justice and Economic Policy; established the Charles H. Pearce Summer Institute and Bridge Program; and secured an innovative corporate partnership with Follett Higher Education group to provide six-figure philanthropic support to the University and furnish new Hewlett Packard (HP) laptop computers to every new first-time in college full-time Edward Waters University student through the year 2025.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, President Faison’s career exploits include distinguished professional experiences as a higher education executive administrator, educator, and attorney. Prior to his Presidential appointment, he served as General Counsel & Vice President of External Affairs at Tuskegee University; Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs at Virginia Union University; Special Assistant to the President for Legal & Legislative Affairs, Community Affairs, and Economic Development; Chief of Staff; and Vice President of Institutional Advancement & Executive Director of the MVSU Foundation at Mississippi Valley State University. As a scholar-educator, President Faison currently holds academic faculty rank as an associate professor of Business Administration and has held professorial appointments at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in various academic disciplines including Political Science and Criminal Justice. A former state prosecutor, he also formerly served as an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting criminal felony drug cases in Georgia.

President Faison graduated Magna Cum Laude from Albany State University (ASU) with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English where he was an ASU Presidential/Foundation Scholar, ASU Velma Fudge Grant University Honors Program Graduate, ASU National Merit Scholar Graduate, an inductee of the Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society, and upon graduation was awarded for being the highest-ranking student in the University’s Department of English & Modern Languages. He attended the University of Georgia School of Law (UGA) where he earned his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and was a member of the UGA School of Law Executive Moot Court Board & UGA Law Moot Court team. He is a licensed member of the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to practice before all of the state and federal bars of Georgia. President Faison has completed post-doctoral study as a graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Education’s Institute for Educational Management (IEM) and was a Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI) Institute Fellow of the American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU) & Association of Public Land-Grant Universities (APLU).

Additionally, he is a graduate of AASCU’s New President’s Academy and is a Gamma Cohort Fellow of the Higher Education Leadership Foundation (HELF). He also holds the Certification in Fundraising Management (CFRM) designation from The Lily Fundraising School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. President Faison is presently pursuing a second professional doctorate (Ed.D. in Higher Education Policy and Leadership) as a Peabody College Dean’s Scholar at Vanderbilt University as a member of the EHLP cohort class of 2026.

President Faison maintains active memberships with various local and national civic, professional, and community organizations. In 2020, he was appointed by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry to serve as a member of the JEA Board of Directors (the eighth largest publicly owned electric utility in the United States and largest in Florida). He also serves as a trustee member of the Jacksonville Chamber, is a member of the Jacksonville Symphony Board of Directors, Visit Jacksonville Board of Directors, the Jacksonville Civic Council, Leadership Jacksonville, Rotary Club of Jacksonville, and was recently named an institutional director of the UNCF Board of Directors. Dr. Faison has received regional and national recognition for his outstanding leadership and achievements per his selection as a member of The Business Journals Influencers: Rising Stars 100; the National Bar Association (Top 40 Attorneys Under 40) the Jacksonville Business Journal (Top 40 Under 40) and has been specially recognized and honored by both of his alma maters— The University of Georgia and Albany State University—as amongst each of its respective 40 most distinguished alumni under 40.

He is the son of Alderman Faison, Sr. and Dr. Jewel J. Faison, and brother to Dr. Morgan Zacheya-Jewel Faison. President Faison has been blissfully married for seventeen years to Mrs. Tyciee L. Faison, who is also a seasoned higher education administrator/educator and seminary-trained theologian.

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