Six Women Selected for Dean Appointments at Universities

Holly Mercer has been named dean of University Libraries at the University of Maryland. Currently, she is the senior associate dean and professor for the University of Tennessee Libraries. Prior to joining the University of Tennessee faculty in 2012, she held librarian and archival positions with Texas A&M University, the University of Kansas, Stanford University, Pfeiffer University in North Carolina, and the University of South Carolina.

Professor Mercer holds a bachelor’s degree in classical studies from Duke University and a master of library and information science degree from the University of South Carolina.

Sarah Hollingsworth “Holly” Lisanby has been named the founding dean of the School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering at Arizona State University. She is a professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University and a faculty network member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences. She has been serving as director of the division of translational research at the National Institute of Mental Health.

Dr. Lisanby received her medical degree from Duke University.

Rene Love has been appointed dean of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. For the past five years, she has served as the associate dean for academic affairs and graduate clinical education at the University of Florida College of Nursing. Earlier, she was director of the doctor of nursing practice program at the University of Arizona.

Dr. Love is a graduate of Valdosta State University in Georgia, where she majored in nursing. She earned her master’s degree in nursing and doctor of nursing practice degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. She also holds a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Arizona.

Kelley Bolden Bailey has been named dean of Florida A&M University Online. With over two decades of experience in higher education, she currently serves as an assistant professor and instructional designer for the university’s online MBA program. Her work specializes in curriculum design, technology integration initiatives, student success, technological innovation, and workforce alignment.

Dr. Bailey holds a doctorate in educational leadership and human services from Florida A&M University.

Ayanna Thomas has been named dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University in Massachusetts. A full professor of psychology, she has served as dean of research for Tufts’ School of Arts and Sciences since the fall 2021 semester. Her research investigates the various contexts that result in episodic memory failures.

Dr. Thomas is a graduate of Wesleyan University in Connecticut, where she double-majored in African American studies and psychology. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Washington.

Susan Stone has been promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley. A faculty member since 2001, she currently holds the title of Catherine Mary and Eileen Clare Hutto Professor of Social Services in Public Administration. She has held several leadership roles at Berkeley Social Welfare, including chair of the master of social welfare program, chair of the faculty, and associate dean for academic affairs.

Dr. Stone received her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D. from the School of Social Administration at the University of Chicago.