New Administrative Duties for Nine Women at Colleges and Universities

Brandi Hephner LaBanc has been named the vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Since 2012, she has served as vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Mississippi. Dr. Hephner LaBanc will begin her new job in January.

Dr. Hephner LaBanc earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Akron in Ohio. She holds a master’s degree in higher education administration and student personnel from Kent State University in Ohio, and her doctoral degree in adult and higher education from Northern Illinois University.

Tiffany Tuma was appointed assistant dean of academic success and accessible education at St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She will also hold the title of director of academic advising.

Tuma is a graduate of Georgia State University, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree in clinical health counseling from Auburn University in Alabama and is pursuing a doctorate in urban higher education from Jackson State University in Mississippi.

Whitney Bandemer was appointed as the inaugural vice president for health sciences at the Health Sciences Education Center of Trine University in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She most recently served as vice president for human resources and strategic initiatives at Manchester University in Indiana.

Bandemer is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she majored in government. She holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee.

Patricia Hanson was promoted to director of payroll at North Dakota State University. She has been serving in the post on an interim basis and previously was associate director of payroll at the university.

A certified public accountant, Hanson earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance at the University of North Dakota.

Sharon McMullen was appointed assistant vice president of student and campus life for health and well-being at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She will begin her new duties on January 1. She currently is director of University Health Services at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

McMullen is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Univerity in Philadelphia, where she majored in English. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and a master of public health degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

D’Andra Mull was named vice president for student affairs at the University of Florida. Since 2017, Dr. Mull has served as associate vice president for student life and dean of students at Ohio State University.

Dr. Mull is a graduate of Kent State University in Ohio. She earned a master’s degree in adult and lifelong higher education and a Ph.D. in educational policy and leadership from Michigan State University.

Victoria Kohout was appointed director of state and community relations at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. For the past decade, she has served as the executive director of the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures.

Kohout is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she majored in political science and government.

Jeannie Brown Leonard was named the inaugural vice provost for student success at Kansas State University. Currently, Dr. Brown Leonard is the dean of student academic affairs, advising, retention and transitions at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She will begin her new duties in January.

Dr. Brown Leonard earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She holds a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs administration from the University of Vermont, and a doctorate in college student personnel from the University of Maryland.

Belinda Higgs Hyppolite was appointed vice president for diversity and inclusion at the University of Oklahoma. She has been serving as assistant vice president for student development and enrollment services at the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Hyppolite holds two bachelor’s degrees in psychology and speech pathology, two master’s degrees in counseling education and human resources, and an educational doctorate.