New Dean Appointments for Five Women in Higher Education

Crystal Rose has been named dean of nursing at Baptist Health College in Little Rock in Arkansas. Before joining the college, she was a practicing nurse for over two decades. A scholar with the National Institute for Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, her nursing expertise centers on critical care, leadership, and higher education.

Dr. Rose received her bachelor’s degree in nursing and doctorate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She also holds a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Phoenix.

Martha Cruz Zuniga has been appointed dean of the Walter F. and Virginia Johnson School of Business at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. She comes to her new role from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where she was a professor and chair of the department of economics. Her research focuses on open macroeconomics and international development.

A graduate of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Dr. Zuniga holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. both in economics from Western Michigan University.

Courtney Meehan has been promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Washington State University. A faculty member since 2007, she currently teaches as a professor of evolutionary and cultural anthropology. As a scholar, she studies maternal-child health, human milk composition, and the evolution of human childhood

Dr. Meehan holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from Washington State University.

Meaghan Davidson has been named assistant vice president and dean of students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Her background includes more than 15 years of experience in student success, strategic planning, and crisis management. Most recently, she was associate vice president and dean of students at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Dr. Davidson holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management, a master’s degree in higher education administration, and a doctorate in educational leadership, all from the University of Delaware.

Christina Gola has been promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the University of Houston Libraries. She has been a librarian with the university for the past 16 years, most recently serving as the libraries’ associate dean for organizational development, learning, and talent. Earlier, she was coordinator of undergraduate education and outreach at Texas A&M University.

Gola received her bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Texas A&M University and her master’s degree in library and information science from the University of North Texas.

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