New Provost Appointments for Two Women Leaders at Southern Colleges

Pamela Wilks has been appointed provost of Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. According to the U.S Department of Education, Paine College enrolls about 344 students. Women make up 58 percent of the student body.

With an extensive background in higher education, Dr. Wilks has a proven track record of success in academic leadership. In her new position at Paine, she will oversee the academic affairs of the college, ensuring the quality and integrity of its educational offerings. Her role encompasses curriculum development, faculty affairs, and the enhancement of academic standards.

For the past three years, Dr. Wilks has served as provost of Coppin State University in Baltimore. She perviously served as associate provost for academic operations, programs, and institutional planning, research, and effectiveness at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida. Earlier, she was an administrator and associate professor of English at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Dr. Wilks received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English from North Carolina A&T State University. She holds a Ph.D. in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Erin McAdams has been promoted from interim provost to permanent provost and vice president of academic affairs at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Presbyterian College enrolls 900 undergraduate and 200 graduate students. Women represent 49 percent of all undergraduate students.

Since her interim appointment in July 2024, Dr. McAdams has worked to establish new academic programs and faculty and staff development initiatives. She also oversaw the launch of two new institutional partnership agreements with Midlands Technical College and Tri-County Technical College.

A Presbyterian College faculty member for over a decade, Dr. McAdams began her tenure at the college in 2012 as an assistant professor of political science. She earned the title of full professor in 2023. Her scholarship focuses on political behavior, intra-party conflict, and religion and politics. Outside of her scholarly endeavors, she has served as chair of the faculty senate and has held key leadership roles with several campus-wide committees.

Dr. McAdams is a graduate of Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, where she majored in political science. She holds a Ph.D. in political science with a specialization in United States politics and government from Ohio State University.