Recently, Southern University Chancellor Kofi Lomotey introduced three scholars as additions to the Jaguar Nation to assist in student relations and academic affairs.
Cecilia Griffin Golden, assistant provost; Jacqueline Howard-Matthews, associate provost; and Mwalimu (Em- wah-lee-moo) J. Shujaa (Shu-jah), first executive vice-chancellor and provost were announced last week as Academic Affairs administrators.
“I am elated to be apart of the Southern University family,” explained Golden. “While I have had many positions, including serving as president and CEO of organizations, this type of position has been my dream for quite a while,” she added.
Golden has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Volunteers of America–Chesapeake. She also was the CEO of the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh and Chief Academic Officer for the Rochester New York City School District.
Budget development, fiscal management, strategic planning, program development and organizational change are areas of her expertise. “I love strategic thinking and planning; I love to work with groups to resolve issues and create more effective ways to accomplish shared goals and visions,” Golden said.
According to a Sept. 8 press release, Howard-Matthews has served as director of the Division of International Affairs and Development with the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation (UNCFSP) in Fairfax, Va. She was also project manager of the International Development Partnerships Activity at UNCFSP.
“I’m particularly interested in learning outcomes and supporting efforts of students to strengthening students skills relative to learning and professional development; working with faculty interested in new ways of imparting knowledge” said Howard- Matthews.
Howard-Matthews has extensive experience in higher education capacity building, designing and establishing innovative academic departments and creating or coordinating comprehensive faculty development and enrichment program seminars in the United States and abroad.
Upgrading fund raising techniques for the university using national and international resources, is an area in which Howard- Mathews believes could use her experience and expertise to better the university; as well as, increasing the number of students, faculty and staff involved in international activities.
“I am particularly pleased to have Dr. Mwalimu Shujaa joining us as our Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost,” said Lomotey per a university press release.
Shujaa has served as founding executive director and professor of the African World Studies Institute at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA., founding director of The Diopian Inquiry and Research on Education as Culture Transmission (DIRECT) Center at Medgar Evers College and also associate professor in the Graduate School of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the State University of New York in Buffalo-with joint appointment in the Department of African and African American Studies in the School of Arts and Letters.
Shujaa has authored several books including, “Beyond Desegregation: The politics of quality in African-American schooling,” and “Too much Schooling, Too Little Education: A paradox of Black life in White Societies.”
“The University is under the able leadership of our chancellor Dr. Lomotey. Chancellor Lomotey layed out a four-point plan focusing on student oriented relations, curriculum alignment and mapping, data-based decision-making and student learning outcomes assessment. Of course, all of these are linked to the accreditation process of Southern that will be undergoing a site visit by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools,” explained Shujaa.
1. Student orientation- serving students so they get the highest quality academic experience.
2. Curriculum Alignment and Mapping-Ensuring that what we teach on every level is consistent with the mission, goals and objectives of Southern University.
3. Data-based Decision Making- collecting information about how well students are performing both while they are enrolled at Southern and when they leave to pursue their career paths or graduate studies, in order to be better prepared in future operations.
4. Student learning outcomes assessment-observing recruited students to recognize their needs and pre- preparation for college, in order to be better prepared.
In addition to making the university more student accessible, Shujaa also has a great interest in ensuring that the environment for the faculty is “one where they would enjoy working.”
Shujaa stressed the importance of better preparing students and making certain that “all of our efforts are being driven by our mission as an institution.” Also, he stressed the importance of “giving back.”
“Have we done what we needed to do to understand the importance of giving back. In giving, you help Southern University do for others what it has done for you,” Shujaa finished.
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