Three Women Who Have Been Appointed to Provost Positions

Jennifer L. Troyer, dean of the Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and professor of economics, has been appointed interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Her appointment is effective immediately and will continue until the position is filled permanently. Dr. Troyer has been with the university since 1999, beginning as an assistant professor. She was appointed dean of the College of Business in July 2020.

“As a first-generation college student, I was drawn to UNC Charlotte’s mission as a public university to provide an accessible and affordable education,” said Dr. Troyer. “The growth we have achieved in enrollment, graduate programs, and our research profile since I arrived in 1999 has exceeded my wildest dreams. I am deeply invested in our commitment to achieve top-tier research status through growing our creation of new knowledge while also maintaining our longstanding commitment to advancing student access and social mobility. In my career, I have often stepped into new roles when there was a need, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to do that again in service of our vision.”

Dr. Troyer holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Memphis. She earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in economics from Florida State University.

Pamela E. Scott-Johnson was named provost and vice president for academic affairs at Spelman College in Atlanta, effective August 1. She has been serving as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Before joining Monmouth, Dr. Scott-Johnson served as the dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences at California State University, Los Angeles. She spent nearly 15 years on the psychology faculty at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Earlier, she held a tenured faculty post at Spelman College.

“I am thrilled to be returning to my alma mater as a member of the leadership team to help shape and enhance the academic landscape through which women of Spelman develop as change agents,” said Dr. Scott-Johnson. “Spelman has been and will continue to be a special place for women of African descent and how they impact the world. I look forward to guiding additional pathways for advancing faculty, at all levels, and delivering innovation in student success from retention to graduation.”

Dr. Scott-Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Spelman College. She holds master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology and neuroscience from Princeton University in New Jersey.

Allyson L. Watson was appointed provost and vice president for academic affairs at Florida A&M University. Dr. Watson, who came to the university in 2019 as dean of the College of Education, has served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs since December 2022. Before she arrived at Florida A&M University, Dr. Watson served as the interim chief academic officer and dean at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. Earlier, Dr. Watson spent nearly 14 years on the faculty at Northeastern  State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where she held the Eddings Endowed Chair for Urban Education, Outreach & Research.

“Florida A&M University is an institution of academic excellence. I am honored to represent the significance of our history and the academic contributions we have accomplished and be at the helm of such an important time for our future,” Dr. Watson said. “Our future is bright, and I look forward to leading with vision, tenacity, and innovation.”

Dr. Watson holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. She earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in educational administration, curriculum, and supervision from the University of Oklahoma.