Four Women Who Have Been Appointed to Diversity Positions in Higher Education

Tacquice Wiggan Davis has been named assistant vice president for inclusive excellence at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. She has worked for the last 10 years in the Office of Student Leadership at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. She most recently served as the associate director for the department of intercultural affairs.

Dr. Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ramapo College in New Jersey. She holds a master’s degree in behavioral sciences from Kean University in Union, New Jersey, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Western Carolina University.

Michelle Carter was appointed director of diversity engagement in the Office for Inclusion and Diversity at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Most recently, Carter worked in the career services department at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Engineering.

Carter holds a master’s degree from West Virginia University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in adult learning from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Nickey Woods is the inaugural assistant dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Gould School of Law at the University of Southern California. She previously served as a director in student affairs and as an assistant dean in the Graduate Division at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Woods earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at UCLA, where she was an all-conference member of the women’s basketball team. She earned a master’s degree in education at National University and a doctorate in educational leadership, with a concentration in educational psychology, at the Rossier School of Education a the University of Southern California.

Shawnboda Mead has been promoted to vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement at the University of Mississippi. Mead joined the staff at the university in July 2014 as the inaugural director of the Center for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement. Since then, she has served as assistant vice chancellor for diversity, and for the past year as interim vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement. Earlier in her career, Dr. Mead was the associate director of diversity and multicultural education at the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Mead earned a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in student affairs/higher education administration from Western Kentucky University. She holds a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Mississippi.