Ginger Gummelt has been named dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Prior to her new role, she was chair of the department of sociology, social work, criminal justice, and anthropology at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where she taught for over a decade. Earlier in her career, she taught mathematics for the Beaumont Independent School District.
Dr. Gummelt is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in social work from the University of Houston.
Kimberly S. Smith has been appointed vice president of student success and dean of the college at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of higher education experience, her career has focused on academic engagement, retention, and student development,. Most recently, she was associate vice president for student success initiatives at Virginia Tech.
Dr. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Richmond in Virginia, a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from Radford University in Virginia, and doctorate in educational policy studies from Virginia Tech.
Zaryab Iqbal has been appointed dean of the Perry Honors College at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She comes to her new role from Pennsylvania State University, where she was associate dean of the honors college and a professor of political science and Jewish studies. She has published two books, most recently State Failure in the Modern World (Stanford Security Studies, 2015).
Dr. Iqbal received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, a master’s degree from the University of Denver in Colorado, and a Ph.D. in political science from Emory University in Atlanta.
Kimberly Jones is the new dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Previously, she served as the college’s associate dean for research and graduate studies and chaired the department of civil and engineering. Most recently, she served as associate provost for faculty affairs. Throughout her career, she has served as an advisor for several national committees, helping to develop policy on clean water access and environmental health.
Dr. Jones is an alumna of Howard, where she majored in civil engineering. She holds a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in the same discipline from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Sophia Sotilleo has been appointed vice provost and dean of the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Since 2022, she has served as dean of the Thurgood Marshall Library at Bowie State University in Maryland. As a scholar, her work focuses on embedded librarianship, particularly its intersections with access, advocacy, and leadership in higher education.
Sotilleo holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Lincoln University and a master’s degree in library and information sciences from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Angela Branch-Vital has been named the inaugural dean of the School of Public and Allied Health at Prairie View A&M University in Texas. She has been serving as the school’s executive director since its inception in 2023. Previously, she was chair of the university’s department of health and kinesiology. Her research focuses on health disparities, community-based interventions, and student wellness.
Dr. Branch-Vital received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University. She holds a Ph.D. in behavioral science and health promotion from the University of Texas School of Public Health.
Liz Wuorinen has been promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies at Northern Michigan University. Prior to her interim appointment, she was the college’s associate dean and director of the School of Health and Human Performance. Earlier in her career, she was chair of the department of biology and physical education, as well as the department of human performance at Norwich University in Vermont.
A graduate of Central Michigan University, Dr. Wuorinen holds a master’s degree in exercise science from Northern Michigan University and a doctorate in kinesiology from the University of Michigan.