Traci Zimmerman has been promoted from interim dean to permanent dean of the College of Arts and Letters at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Prior to her interim appointment in June 2023, she spent two years as the college’s associate dean. A full professor of writing, her scholarship centers around authorship, intellectual property, and digital literacies.
Dr. Zimmerman is a two-time alumna of James Madison University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English. She holds a Ph.D. in English from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Chanel L. Fort has been named dean of academic programs and services at Gadsden State Community College in Alabama. She comes to her new role from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama, where she served as director of outcomes assessment. Earlier, she was the founding CEO and learning strategist at Fortified Learning Solutions.
Dr. Fort holds a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and health services administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a master’s degree in human services and healthcare administration from Capella University, and a doctorate in education, global leadership, and change from Pepperdine University in California.
Tracy Donnelly has been appointed dean of allied health and professional technical programs at Wenatchee Valley College in Washington. She most recently served as director of operations for workforce training and continuing education at the College of Eastern Idaho. Previously, she held similar leadership roles with Northern Lights College in Canada, Clackamas Community College, and Klamath Community College in Oregon.
Donnelly holds a bachelor’s degree in health education and athletic training from Southern Oregon University and a master’s degree in public health with a specialization in environmental and occupational health from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Amanda Murdie has been named dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She comes to Georgia Tech from the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia, where she has been serving as the Regents’ Professor and Georgia Athletic Association Professor of International Affairs and head of the department of international affairs. Her research focuses on human security, human rights, and conflict processes.
Dr. Murdie earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies and her master’s degree in political science from Kansas State University. She holds a Ph.D. in political science from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.