Colleges and Universities Announce the Appointment of Six Women to Dean Positions

Kelly F. Millenbah was named interim dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University. She has been serving as senior associate dean of the college, a position she will retain during her assignment as interim dean.

Dr. Millenbah earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Ripon College in Wisconsin. She holds master’s and doctoral degrees in fisheries and wildlife from Michigan State University.

Kalynda Holton was appointed dean of science and mathematics at Tallahassee Community College in Florida. Holton, who has worked at TCC for more than 14 years, previously served as the associate dean of science and mathematics.

Dean Holton holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in education from Florida A&M University.

Jillian Wallen has been named as the new dean of the Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, effective August 1. Dr. Wallen has been serving as assistant dean for extramural activities and outreach, chair of the department of growth and development, and as the Merritt C. Pedersen Professor of Dentistry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry.

Dr. Wallen graduated with distinction from the University of Glasgow Dental Hospital and School in Scotland. She completed her specialty training in pediatric dentistry and received a master’s degree from Ohio State University.

Cindy Akers was appointed interim dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources at Texas Tech University. She has been serving as the associate dean for academic and student programs. Dr. Akers joined the Texas Tech faculty in 1997.

A native of Estancia, New Mexico, Dr. Akers earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications, a master’s degree in agricultural education, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, all from Texas Tech University.

Donna Strum, associate provost and professor of pharmacy administration at the University of Mississippi, will serve as interim dean of the School of Pharmacy and executive director of the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, effective July 1. Dr. Strum joined the faculty in 2008 after teaching at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences.

Dr. Strum holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in pharmaceutical science and a Ph.D. in pharmacy administration, all from the University of Mississippi.

Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina, recently hired Gwenda Richburg Greene to serve as the founding dean of Graduate Studies, Continuing Education, and Integrative Learning. Previously, Dr. Greene served as the director of the honors program and professor of English at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina.

Dr. Greene earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre and speech from Columbia College in South Carolina. She holds a master’s degree in English education from the University of South Carolina and a doctorate in educational leadership systems from the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati.