Melody Barnes has been appointed as co-director for policy and public affairs for the Democracy Initiative at the University of Virginia. She is currently the Compton Visiting Professor in World Politics and a Senior Fellow at the Miller Center as well as a Distinguished Fellow at the School of Law. Previously, she served as director of the Domestic Policy Council under President Obama from 2009-2012.
Professor Barnes holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan.
Amanda Gross has been named chief of staff to the president of Daemen College in Amherst, New York. She is currently assistant athletic director for administration and chief of staff at the University at Buffalo.
Gross holds a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and a master’s degree in sport administration from the University of Miami.
Patrice Buckner Jackson has been named vice president of student affairs at Albany State University in Georgia. She was the associate vice president and dean of students at Georgia Southern University.
Dr. Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the College of Charleston in South Carolina, a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Webster University in Missouri, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and administration from Georgia Southern University.
Blair McElroy has been appointed senior international officer at the University of Mississippi. She had been holding the position on an interim basis for about a year. McElroy will continue to serve in her role as director of the Study Abroad Office.
McElroy is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi where she studied international studies, Chinese, French, and Asian studies. She also earned a juris doctorate in intellectual property, law contracts, and constitutional law at the University of Mississippi.
Brandy Salmon has been named associate vice president for innovation and partnerships at Virginia Tech. Additionally she will continue in her role as executive director of LINK, which is Virginia Tech’s Center for Industry Partnerships. Earlier, she was the director and program leader for innovation advisors at RTI International.
Dr. Salmon holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Virginia, an MBA with a concentration in the health sector from Duke University, and a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Cornell University.
Mary Beth Brooks has been named director of the University of Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. She was previously the president and CEO of The Bank of Fayetteville.
Brooks holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and financial management services from the University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in banking and financial support services from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Renee Wells has been named the director of education for equity and inclusion at Middlebury College in Vermont. She was the director of the GLBT Center at North Carolina State University.
Wells holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Auburn University, a master’s degree in English from Miami University, and a master’s degree in creative writing from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
Betsy Fischer Martin has been named executive director of the Women & Politics Institute at American University in Washington, D.C. She worked for NBC News for 23 years, including 11 years as executive director of “Meet the Press.”
Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in justice and political science and a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from American University.
Marti Heil has been appointed vice president for university advancement at Michigan State University. She was previously vice president for development and alumni relations at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Heil holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, and public relations from Michigan State University.
Jasmine Cannady has been appointed associate athletic director of marketing, promotions, and tickets, at Fordham University in New York. She was previously assistant marketing director at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
Cannady holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications and an MBA from Sacramento State University in California.
Jodie Anderson has been named director of the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She previously served as program director for the Alaska Division of Agriculture’s Farm to School Program.
Dr. Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in biology from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and a Ph.D. in soil biochemistry from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Kim McCullock has been named associate vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Tennessee. She was previously director of finance and administrative affairs for the university’s Tickle College of Engineering.
McCullock holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Carolina State University.
Reena Lichtenfeld has been named assistant dean for enrollment management at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. She was previously an independent consultant with the firm Ruffalo Noel Levitz.
Dr. Lichtenfeld holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in education, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of South Carolina. She also holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from Walden University.
Ashley Reid has been appointed academic success coordinator in the athletics department at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She was previously the director of operations for track and field/cross country at the University of Texas.
Reid holds an associate’s degree in liberal studies from Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas, and a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Colorado State University.
Carmen M Simone has been named executive director of University Center-Sioux Falls of the University of South Dakota. She was previously president of Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad and Alamosa, Colorado.
Dr. Simone holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of North Dakota and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Colorado State University.
Loretta Martinez has been appointed as chief legal counsel at the University of New Mexico. She was previously general counsel and vice chancellor for legal affairs at the City University of New York.
Dr. Martinez holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University and a law degree from Harvard University.