Universities Announced the Appointment of Eight Women to New Administrative Positions

Alana R. Davis was appointed associate provost and university registrar at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. She has been serving as associate dean of academic operations and registrar at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia.

Davis received her undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary. She is scheduled to complete her doctorate work in educational policy, planning, and leadership from the College of William and Mary later this year.

Kelli Shomaker has been promoted to senior vice president for business and administration and chief financial officer at Auburn University in Alabama. She has been chief financial officer since 2016. Earlier, she was on the staff at Texas A&M University for 16 years.

Shomaker holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and is a certified public accountant.

Shantay Bolton will be the new executive vice president for administration and finance and chief business officer at the Georgia Institute of Technology, effective August 14. She has been serving as executive vice chancellor for administration and chief administrative officer at Washington University in St. Louis. Earlier, she served as vice president and deputy chief operating officer at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Dr. Bolton earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Alabama A&M University. She holds an MBA in corporate business from Florida International University and a Ph.D. in organizational psychology with a concentration in industrial psychology from Walden University.

Abigail L. Palko has been named the inaugural director of the residential commons program at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, effective August 7. She has been serving as the director of the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Palko earned a bachelor’s degree in English and French from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. She holds a master’s degree in English from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a Ph.D. in literature with a gender studies graduate minor from the University of Notre Dame.

Kristen Schlatre is the new assistant dean for professional and corporate programs for the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University in Houston, Texas. She previously served as director of the Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at the university.

Schlatre holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Houston and master’s degrees in both public affairs in nonprofit management and philanthropic studies from Indiana University.

Kacey Strickland was promoted to executive director for research administration at Mississippi State University. In this role, she will oversee both the Office of Sponsored Projects and Office of Research Compliance and Security. Strickland joined the staff in 2001 and has led the Office of Research Compliance and Security since 2007.

Strickland earned a bachelor’s degree in genetics from the University of Georgia. She holds a master’s degree in science education from the University of Texas.

Lucreta Tribune has been promoted to associate vice president for finance at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. She served as the director of accounting at the university since August 2022. Earlier, Tribune had a career spanning 14 years in state government finance and an additional five years as a state auditor.

Tribune earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Alcorn State University in 2000. She holds a master of professional accountancy degree from Jackson State University in Mississippi.

Kendra Bumpus has been selected as the new director of residence life and university housing at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is the former assistant director of administration and operations for university housing at Florida State University.

Bumpers earned a bachelor’s degree in university studies with minors in psychology and classics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2004. She holds a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from Ohio State University and is completing work on a doctorate in higher education student affairs from Florida State University.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Latest News

Jennifer Glowienka Named the First Woman President of Carroll College in Montana

“I have dedicated my professional career to this remarkable institution, which prepares ethical leaders who engage the world with purpose and hope,” said Dr. Glowienka. “I look forward to strengthening and expanding the ways Carroll fulfills its mission, serving learners across all stages of their educational journey.”

Susan Stuebner Elevated to President of Simpson College in Iowa

Dr. Stuebner has led Simpson College on an interim basis since July 28. She has nearly 30 years of professional experience, including service as president of Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire.

Shari Veil Appointed Provost at North Dakota State University

“It is a privilege to work with people who care so deeply about students, discovery, and the future of North Dakota,” said Dr. Veil. “With its strong academic profile and land-grant mission, NDSU is well positioned for meaningful impact, and I look forward to partnering with my fellow Bison to advance that work.”

Mary Ann Villarreal to Lead California State University, Dominguez Hills

“As one of the most diverse campuses in the CSU system, Dominguez Hills is a vital anchor institution for the community it serves,” said Dr. Villarreal. “A beacon of inclusivity, it inspires hope – both for the community and for higher education in California.”

Penny Elkins Named the First Woman President of Mercer University

A member of the Mercer University community for over 25 years, Dr. Elkins is slated to become the institution's first woman president on January 1. She has been serving as Mercer's interim provost.

Assistant Professor Tenure Track Position — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Cardiovascular Institute

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seek candidates for an Assistant Professor position in the tenure track.

Assistant Professor of Political Science, Quantitative Methods

The Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Quantitative Methods. This position will begin on or after July 1, 2026.

Tenure Track Position in Macro-Organizational Behavior and Organizational Theory

The University of Pittsburgh School of Business seeks to fill a full-time, tenure-track assistant or associate professor position in the Organizations and Entrepreneurship Area, starting as early as Fall 2026. 

Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice and John Carter Brown Library Joint Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice at Brown University and the John Carter Brown Library invite applications for a postdoctoral research associate position focused on any area/theme of historical scholarship around racial slavery, and/ or Indigenous dispossession and slavery.

Teaching Faculty Position in Information Systems and Technology Management (ISTM)

The University of Pittsburgh School of Business invites applications for a full-time, appointment-stream faculty position at the Clinical Assistant Professor level in our Information Systems and Technology Management area starting Fall 2026.