New Administrative Positions for Eight Women Professionals

Ashley Owens has been appointed interim Title IX coordinator at Pennsylvania State University. She has been with the university since 2022, currently serving as director of student accountability and conflict response at the university’s Altoona campus.

Owens is a graduate of the University of Dayton in Ohio where she majored in communications. She holds a juris doctorate from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Tania D. Mitchell has been named the inaugural associate provost for community engagement at the University of Maryland. Dr. Mitchell currently serves as the Rodney Wallace Professor for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and chair of the department of organizational leadership, policy, and development at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Mitchell earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and communication from Baylor University in Texas, a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University, and a doctorate in student development from the University of Massachusetts.

Sonja M. Brown has been appointed associate vice chancellor for academic and faculty affairs at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. She previously served as dean of the College of Media and Mass Communication at The American University in Dubai and as vice president for academic affairs at Great Basin College in Nevada.

Dr. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in communication studies from Fresno State University in California. She received her Ph.D. in communication studies from the University of Georgia.

Amanda Mayfield has been named associate vice president of finance at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. She recently served Connecticut College as associate vice president for finance, as well as interim vice president for finance. Earlier in her career, she served as director of budget and financial accounting services at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

Jen Ciaccio has been promoted to executive director of college houses and academic services at the University of Pennsylvania. She currently serves as senior director for academic and residential programs.

Dr. Ciaccio holds a bachelor’s degree from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, a master’s degree from Indiana State University, and a Ph.D. from Temple University in Philadelphia.

Denisha Hendricks has been appointed director of athletics at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Hendricks has held athletics and academic appointments at numerous universities throughout her twenty-year career. She currently serves as director of parks and recreation for the City of Selma, Alabama.

Dr. Hendricks graduated from the University of South Carolina where she majored in physical education and athletic training. She received a master’s degree and a doctorate in higher education administration from Auburn University.

The University of Nevada Reno has appointed Robin Schimandle director of development for the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources. She most recently served the university as director of development for Universities Libraries.

Schimandle holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo, Norway.

Kiantra Loza has been promoted to director of admissions and outreach, international students, and campus central at the College of DuPage in Illinois. She has been with the college for the past year, serving as associate director of admissions and outreach.

Dr. Loza received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in organizational leadership from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. She holds a doctorate in education from Aurora University in Illinois.