The new deans are Ayana Allen-Handy at Hofstra University in New York, Margaret Meserve at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, Michelle Hayes at Talladega College in Alabama, and Carolyn Clevenger at the University of Georgia.
“Women are expected to have to behave in a pliant way, so for female leaders, we found it’s more difficult for them to engage in instruction, to set expectations and to tell others what they need to do because of these stereotypes,” said Dr. Joanna Lin of the University of Georgia. “If we don’t fix this, there will be fewer women leaders and less effective workplaces.”
"I have been a university faculty member for decades, and nothing has provided me with more satisfaction and pride – more pure, unbridled joy – than my students’ myriad successes these 39 years," said Dr. Edenfield, a Georgia Southern University professor and the 2025 recipient of the Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Award from the Council on Undergraduate Research.
A veteran of the United States Army Nursing Corps, Dr. Broome held nursing leadership positions at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Indiana University, and Duke University. Alongside her teaching and administrative roles, she studied ethical pediatric nursing practices, as well as the education and training of nursing executives.
Here is this week’s roundup of women who have been appointed to new faculty positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to [email protected].
The administrative appointments are Becky Simcik at Pennsylvania State University, Angel Pointer at South Carolina State University, Usha Lee McFarling at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stacy Jones at the University of Georgia, Aimee Heeter at the University of Illinois, and Donna Blake at Utah State University Blanding.
“Having the opportunity to serve Emory as interim president is a full circle moment for me,” said Sears. “In 1977, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to the Emory School of Law, and it changed my life. I think my life’s work has been a payback for that gift, and I welcome the chance to serve Emory as it continues to change lives the way it did for me and my family.”
"Over the past several years, we’ve accomplished extraordinary things together: record enrollments, historic fundraising, national recognition, and a campus culture that puts students first," said Dr. Saunders. "We’ve met challenges head-on and kept our values intact. I could not be more proud of what we’ve built.”
As agriculture is a historically-male dominated field, many women farmers experience challenges not faced by their male counterparts. A new study has identified the toll of animal mortality, succession planning, and gender-stereotyping as unique stressors facing women in agriculture.
The the forur women faculty members who are taking on new assignments are Jessica Kissinger at the University of Georgia, Jodi Benenson at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Carolyn Ross at Washington State University, and Krista Walton at North Carolina State University.
"I am truly excited and honored to join the Bethany College community," said Dr. Crawley. "The college's strong values of faith, service, and academic excellence deeply resonate with my commitment to supporting students and fostering growth."
The appointments are Toyo Aboderin at the University of San Diego, Trina McCarter at North Carolina Central University, Jacquelyn Dee Mosley at the University of Arkansas, Stephanie Austin at Gadsden State Community College in Alabama, Daifeng He at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, and K. Paige Carmichael at the University of Georgia.
