A Quartet of Women Appointed to New Dean Positions

Ofosuwa M. Abiola is the new dean of the Graduate School at Bowie State University in Maryland. She comes to Bowie State from Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she taught for more than a decade. During her tenure at Howard, she had stints as coordinator of the dance program and associate dean of research and creative endeavors. As an Africanist historian, Dr. Abiola specializes in the dances and culture of Africa and the diaspora.

Dr. Abiola earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Virginia State University and her Ph.D. in history from Howard University.

Miah Dreger has been appointed dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at Springfield Technical Community College in Massachusetts. She comes to her new role from Central Connecticut State University, where she was interim associate dean of engineering, science, and technology. Earlier, she worked with the Connecticut State Community College System and Capital Community College in Hartford, Connecticut.

Dr. Dreger holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Houghton University in New York, a master’s degree in technology education from Central Connecticut State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Hartford.

Jennifer Cooley is the new vice provost and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Previously, she was interim dean and associate dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences at the University of Northern Iowa. She is also a professor of Spanish who focuses on sixteenth- and seventeenth-century literature and culture of Spain, as well as twenty-first-century immigration issues in America.

Dr. Cooley is a graduate of Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she double-majored in philosophy and Spanish. She holds a master’s degree in Spanish from Syracuse University in New York and a Ph.D. in Spanish literature from the University of Iowa.

Kathryn W. Jablokow has been named dean of the School of Engineering at Manhattan University in New York. She is the first woman to hold the position. For the past five years, she has worked for the National Science Foundation, most recently serving as deputy director of the research, innovation, synergies, and education division in the geosciences directorate. Earlier, she was an associate chief academic officer at Pennsylvania State University, where she remains a professor emerita.

Dr. Jablokow received her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D. all in electrical engineering from Ohio State University.

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