University of the District of Columbia Appoints Four Women to Key Administrative Positions

Taneka S. Miller has been named vice president for government, community, and corporate relations. Her new appointment marks a return to the University of the District of Columbia, where she previously served as executive director for state and local affairs. Most recently, she served as deputy general counsel for general practice with the D.C. Public Schools.

Miller received her bachelor’s degree in history and master of education degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She holds a juris doctorate from Howard University.

Maria Byrd has been appointed vice president for innovation and transformation. Since 2016, she has served as the university’s associate vice president in the Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness. Prior to her current role, she served as the office’s project management unit manager for five years.

Byrd is a graduate of Hofstra University in New York, where she majored in political science. She holds a master of public administration degree from American University in Washington, D.C..

Ellen Jefferson has been named interim vice president for human resources. For more than 20 years, she has served as a senior human resources consultant with PRM Consulting. Throughout her career, she has held human resources leadership roles with educational, private, and public organizations.

Jefferson completed her undergraduate education at the University of Texas. She holds an MBA in labor and industrial relations and a master of public administration degree in personnel administration from Howard University in Washington, D.C.

LeKisha M. Jordan has been named associate vice president for educational outreach and partnerships. She has significant experience in public service roles, most recently serving as the senior policy advisor to the D.C. Council Committee of the Whole. Previously, she held multiple policy analyst and administrative positions with the North Carolina Governor’s Office.

Jordan is a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, where she majored in political science. She received her master of public administration degree in education and public policy from the University of Georgia.