Julie Akers was promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Washington State University. Dr. Akers has been a faculty member in the university’s department of pharmacotherapy since 2013. Prior to her interim role, she was executive associate dean. Her scholarly expertise centers on health care systems and pathiophysiology.
Dr. Akers is a graduate of Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, where she majored in chemistry. She holds a doctor of pharmacy degree from Washington State University.
Leslie Rissler has been named dean of the College of Science at the University of Montana. Dr. Rissler, an integrative biologist, previously served in various leadership roles at the National Science Foundation, including section head of the living systems sector. Before joining NSF, she was a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alabama. Her research integrates ecology, evolution, and biodiversity science.
Dr. Rissler holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University and a master’s degree from Utah State University. She earned a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Virginia and did postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley.
Rhonda L. Mingo is dean of students at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. With nearly three decades of experience in student affairs, Mingo most recently served as assistant vice president for student engagement and dean of students at Converse University in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Earlier in her tenure with the university, she was dean of community life and dean of students.
Mingo earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in marketing and speech communication from University of South Carolina Aiken and her master’s degree in student personnel services from the University of South Carolina.
Leigh Giles-Brown is dean of health professions at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois. Giles-Brown has led the community college’s sonography program since 2020. Earlier in her career, she was director of the sonography program at Northern Virginia Community College.
Giles-Brown is a graduate of the University at Albany of the State University of New York system. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and a juris doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.
Jasmin Feimster is dean of arts and sciences at Pitt Community College in Winterville, North Carolina. Dr. Feimster has been with Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the past 11 years, most recently serving as associate dean of natural sciences. Earlier, she taught biology at Surry Community College in Dobson, North Carolina.
Dr. Feimster is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where she majored in biology. She holds a master’s degree in cell biology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a doctorate in educational leadership from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.
Kayla Caron is dean of enrollment at Middlesex Community College in Bedford, Massachusetts. She most recently served as the community college’s registrar. Before joining Middlesex, Caron was associate registrar at the Boston University School of Public Health. Earlier in her career, she held progressive leadership roles in the registrar’s office at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.
Caron holds a bachelor’s degree in psychobiology and a master of public health degree from the University of New England.