New Administrative Duties for Nine Women in Higher Education

Romona West was appointed director of diversity and inclusion for the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. She was the assistant director of graduate recruitment and outreach for the college.

West holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a law degree from the University of Arkansas.

Nichole LaGrow is the new coordinator of distance education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She was the executive director of learning design and development for Ellucian Inc.

Dr. LaGrow is a graduate of Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. She holds four master’s degrees. Dr. LaGrow earned a Ph.D. in modern history and literature from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.

Amber Williams will become the inaugural vice provost for student success at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville on January 1. She has been serving as assistant vice chancellor for academic services and enrollment management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Previously, Dr. Williams served for six years as director of admissions and associate dean for enrollment management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Dr. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in communications studies at the University of Kansas. She received a master’s degree in leadership education and a doctorate in education and leadership studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Cristen Jandreau was appointed director of the Conflict of Interest Program at Virginia Tech. The program works to facilitate the university-wide process for disclosure of outside interests and identifies where research conflicts of interest exist. Dr. Jandreau held a similar position at Virginia Commonwealth Univerity.

Dr. Jandreau holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and a Ph.D. in biomedical and veterinary sciences from Virginia Tech.

Sandee Mott was named director of athletics at Texas Woman’s University. She was the senior associate director of athletics at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. She is the former director of athletics at Johnson & Wales University.

Mott earned a bachelor’s degree from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, and a master’s degree from Fort Hays State University in Kansas.

Christine Caron Gebhardt was promoted to assistant vice president for student services at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. She was the director of the Gender Relations Center at the university. She joined the staff at the university in 2012.

Dr. Caron Gebhardt is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. She holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in theological studies from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Vicki Dobiyanski will be the next associate vice president for student affairs at Texas A&M University, effective December 17. She has been serving as dean of students and director of the Student Government Association at Florida State University.

Dr. Dobiyanski earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in education from Texas A&M University. She earned a doctorate in educational administration at Florida State University.

Rhonda Kitch will serve as university registrar at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, beginning on January 13. Since 2014, she has served as registrar at North Dakota State University. She was on the staff at North Dakota State for 20 years.

Dr. Kitch is a graduate of Minot State University in North Dakota. She holds a master’s degree in counseling and student affairs from Minnesota State University in Moorhead and a Ph.D. in education from North Dakota State University.

Michele G. Wheatly will become special advisor to the chancellor at Syracuse University on January 6. In this role, she will lead women’s leadership development initiatives on campus. Dr. Wheatly served for the past four years as vice chancellor and provost at Syracuse Univerity.

Dr. Wheatley holds a bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. from Birmingham University in England.