The board of trustees of Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, has named Phyllis Worthy Dawkins as the educational institution’s eighteenth president. Dr. Dawkins has been serving as interim president since last August. Bennett College is a historically Black educational institution for women.
“I am extremely honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as president of such an esteemed institution,” Dr. Dawkins said. “I am very grateful to the Board for entrusting me with such an awesome responsibility, and I look forward to working closely with them to ensure we position Bennett College to continue educating young women for generations to come.”
Dr. Dawkins became provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bennett College in December 2015. Previously, she served as interim president and provost and vice president for academic affairs at Cheyney University in Pennsylvania. And earlier in her career, Dr. Dawkins was provost, senior vice president for academic affairs, and professor of education at Dillard University in New Orleans. Before joining the administration at Dillard University in 2009, Dr. Dawkins served in many positions over 28 years at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Dr. Dawkins is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a doctorate from Ohio State University.