Six New Women Deans at Colleges and Universities

Mary Anne Alabanza Akers is the new dean of the College of Environmental Design at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She was previously the founding dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Dr. Akers earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. She holds a master’s degree in creative writing from Towson University in Maryland and a Ph.D. in social science with a concentration in urban planning and community organization from Michigan State University.

Jessica Wilkie was appointed dean of the School of Humanities at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York. She was assistant director of undergraduate advising at the Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science at Cornell University.

Wilkie holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature, secondary education, and women’s students from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. She earned a master’s degree in interdisciplinary humanities from the University at Buffalo.

Jeanie C. Lucy has been named dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Alverno College in Milwaukee. She has been serving as an assistant professor at the Chicago College of Optometry.

Dr. Lucy holds a bachelor’s degree in biological science teaching from Chicago State University. She earned a master of public health degree from the University of Illinois Chicago and a doctor of optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Lucy also holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in values-driven leadership from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.

Kendra Hall-Kenyon is the new dean of the David O. McKay School of Education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Dr. Hall-Kenyon has been serving as the interim dean since July 1, 2022. She joined the faculty at the university in 2002.

Dr. Hall-Kenyon earned a bachelor’s degree in family science from Brigham Young University. She holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in human development from Columbia University.

Racquel Ingram was named the founding dean of the School of Nursing at High Point University in North Carolina. Dr. Ingram joined the university’s Congdon School of Health Sciences in 2021 as founding chair and assistant professor for the department of nursing.

Dr. Ingtram is a nursing graduate of Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Iliana B. Melendez has been named assistant vice president and dean of students at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina. She was interim assistant vice president for student engagement and interim director of orientation and new student programs at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Melendez holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. She earned a master’s degree in student affairs and higher education from Texas State University, where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in adult, professional, and community education.