WIMHE EXECUTIVE BOARD

 

Monica Poindexter, State Coordinator

Monica Poindexter, Ph.D. is an educator and consultant in the areas of management and organization, leadership, and education.  Dr. Poindexter spent ten years working for the North Carolina Department of Transportation as an Engineer II.  She spent more than three years as a research assistant with Georgia Tech, working in the field of engineering and urban planning.  Currently, she is the Chair of the Human Services Department with Sojourner-Douglass College. 

 

Dr. Poindexter received her undergraduate degrees in Economics and Transportation, two masters’ degrees in Civil Engineering and City Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and a doctoral degree in Leadership Studies from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (N.C.A&T).  She believes that generational success is built on the backs of others grounded in education, resulting in the elimination of poverty one person at a time.  She is a steadfast advocate of leaders and educators paving the way for others by ensuring that students are reached and taught that hope is eternal as they by-pass the ordinary to achieve the extraordinary.   

 

Jennifer Haughie, Past State Coordinator

Jennifer is the Dean of Enrollment Management at the Community College of Baltimore County. She joined CCBC in 2011. Previously she worked for Hagerstown Community College as the Director of Admissions, Records and Registration. Before joining HCC in 2005, she worked for Shippensburg University, PA for 8 years where she held various positions with the last being the Associate Dean of Admissions. Jennifer has her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix and bachelor and master's degrees from Shippensburg University. She resides in Ellicott City, MD with her husband Dennis and her son Gabriel. She has served on the Women In Maryland Higher Education Executive Board since 2009 and was State Coordinator from 2012-2014.

 

Subrata Acharya

Dr. Subrata Acharya is an Assistant professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Towson University. She has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh and Master of Science in Computer Engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Dr. Acharya has extensive expertise in Network Security, Distributed Systems, Trusted Computing, and Secure Health Informatics. She has published research articles and book chapters on various topics in the area of network and application security, privacy-aware computing, distributed real-time systems, security virtualization, etc. Dr. Acharya is currently working on a federally-funded research project aimed at designing and developing a secure and privacy-aware framework for a federal healthcare organization.

 

Joyce Allison

Joyce is a Student Affairs Professional. Joyce finds her working with students rewarding.  She states “I encourage my students to take ownership of their learning process and goals for their life.  Just as I provide my students with frameworks to make thoughtful decisions personally, professionally, and academically, I navigate my own life and the dreams I have for myself using these same techniques.”  Joyce earned her Master’s degree in Africana Studies as well as her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany, State University of New York. In addition to her Student Affairs background Joyce is a trained mediator and member of Toastmaster’s International.  Joyce is a member of the illustrious sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.

 

Joyce serves as the Assistant Coordinator, Office of Student Activities at Morgan State University.

 

Johari A. Barnes

Currently, Ms. Barnes is the Interim Director, Academic Support.  She oversees all of the Student Success Centers (SSC) at CCBC.  The SSC provides tutoring and academic intervention for all CCBC students.  Prior to her position as Interim Director, Ms. Barnes served as the Coordinator of Academic Outreach and Intervention.  As the Coordinator of Academic Outreach and Intervention, Ms. Barnes coordinated the NEXUS Program and administered a performance-based scholarship for Baltimore City High School graduates that attend the Community College of Baltimore County and a MHEC Math grant. These programs allowed Ms. Barnes to advise students as it related to school but also to their environments that sometimes prevented students from staying focused and completing college. Ms. Barnes reaches out to her students to help them focus and make school a priority.

Since 2008, Ms. Barnes has been an adjunct faculty at Coppin State University and the Community College of Baltimore County teaching English Composition and first – year orientation.

Ms. Barnes is currently working on her doctorate of education in community college leadership at Morgan State University.

 

Linda Fassett

 

Mary Fortier

Mary currently oversees several aspects of financial areas impacting students including on-campus employment, nonresident alien tax compliance for foreign scholars and students, and providing financial education. 

 

She currently serves as a Curriculum Dean for National Association of International Educators (NAFSA), and Advisor to the Annual Conference Chair for the USM Women’s Forum, of which she was a previous Executive Council member. 

 

Mary earned her Bachelor of Science in Afro-American Socio-Economics from Northeastern University graduating summa cum laude. She holds a Masters in Distance Education and e-Learning from University of Maryland University College and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and The Golden Key International National Honour societies.

 

Jennifer Frank

Jennifer Frank has served in the role of Assistant Secretary for the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) since July 2013.  MHEC is Maryland’s higher education coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland’s public and private colleges and universities and for-profit career schools. At MHEC, she has oversight for academic policy, new program approvals, postsecondary planning, and college readiness and completion initiatives.  Prior to joining MHEC, Jennifer served as P-20 Project Director and Program Evaluator in the Office of Academic Affairs at the University System of Maryland (USM).  In this capacity, she was directly involved in the administration of over $30 million in grants from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, and Lumina Foundation for Education, among other entities.  These grants focused on a range of initiatives including academic innovation, course redesign in developmental and gateway courses, dual enrollment, higher education partnerships with K-12 schools, and the teacher preparation pipeline.    

 

Jennifer previously served as Director of Institutional Research at Loyola University Maryland; Executive Assistant to the Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at University of Maryland University College (UMUC); and Assistant to the Provost at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.  She has also served as a consultant for several secondary and postsecondary initiatives, including projects related to STEM education, career technology programs, after-school programs, and K-12 teacher preparation and professional development.  Jennifer earned a B.A. in Leadership Studies and German, summa cum laude, at the University of Richmond; an M.A. in College Student Personnel Administration at the University of Maryland, College Park; and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (Higher Education) at the University of Maryland, College Park.

 

Terri Massie-Burrell

Dr. Terri Massie-Burrell is the Assistant Provost for Student Success and Retention at Frostburg State University. Prior to FSU she served for 11 years at Towson University as a Director, Learning Specialist. Her life’s work both professionally and personally is to provide students with strategies to achieve their academic and career goals. Dr. Massie-Burrell earned a Bachelor’s degree at Howard University and a Masters at The Johns Hopkins University and completed a Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, College Park in Counseling and Personnel Services. She is a member Delta Kappa Gamma, International- Key Women Educators.

 

Bethany Pace

Bethany Pace is the Interim Assistant Dean of the Honors College at Towson University. In this role, she is responsible for the co-curriculum of the college as well as student engagement, recruiting, admissions, marketing, events, alumni and parent relations and development. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Education degree in Counselor Education and Higher Education Administration from The Pennsylvania State University. She has also earned a certificate in Campus and Community Programs for Intercultural Learning from NAFSA: Association of International Educators and a certificate from the Harvard Institute on College Admissions.

 

Tonja Ringgold

Dr. Tonja L. Ringgold is Vice President for Academic Affairs at Baltimore City Community college.  She is also the President of EN-Sight Educational Consultants, a private consultancy company she founded in 2006.  An experienced higher education administrator, Dr. Ringgold brings a wealth of skills and accomplishments which span almost 20 years in higher education. During her tenure, she has served as Assistant Secretary at the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MEHC), Campus Dean at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), and Department Chair, Executive Director of Student Development, Honors Program Director, and Professor of Psychology at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC).  She also served as part-time faculty in Morgan State University’s Community College Leadership Doctoral Program.

 

As the chief academic officer, Dr. Ringgold defines the academic vision for the college, providing leadership and direction for all aspects of academic programs, policies, strategies and initiatives.  Dr. Ringgold, as the Vice President for Academic Affairs, preserves integrity and viability of the College’s curriculum, ensuring its quality, relevance and strategic alignment with the mission, vision and values of the College; and assures the College’s continuous adherence to all standards governing its accreditation.  Dr. Ringgold serves as a member of the President’s Staff, providing consultation to the President on all academic matters and collaborating with fellow institutional leaders on the development and implementation of college-wide strategy.  She maintains primary responsibility for all academic matters including planning, development, strategy, assessment, accountability, operations and direction and supervision of all academic areas, programs, activities and personnel.

 

Dr. Ringgold also serves as the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).  In this role, she is vital in maintaining an effective accreditation relationship between the institution and MSCHE.  While the chief executive officer is the primary contact between the Commission and the institution, the ALO provides a second line of communication about Commission policies, practices, and other matters related to accreditation.  As the Accreditation Liaison Officer, Dr. Ringgold serves as a primary recipient of Commission communications regarding the institution’s accreditation, in addition to the chief executive officer.  She disseminates information and answers questions about Commission policies and procedures for all audiences within the institution.  She provides oversight and direction for the timely submission of substantive change requests and reports required by Commission policy.  She facilitates responses to Commission inquiries, including complaints referred by the Commission staff to the chief executive officer and maintains the institution’s file of official documents and reports related to the institution’s relationship with the Commission. Such files are often kept in the president’s office.  Additionally, Dr. Ringgold provides comments to the Commission as requested in its consideration of proposed policies, procedures, and issues affecting the accreditation relationship and ensures that any changes in basic institutional information are reported to the Commission.  Finally, she ensures that the institution meets its financial obligations to the Commission through the timely payment of dues and fees.

 

Dr. Ringgold has a passion for distance education.  She has developed online courses at the doctoral and undergraduate levels, several of which have been Quality Matters certified. Her research interests focus on diversity and computer literacy, and she was able to showcase her research on the Digital Divide at Oxford University during the 2007 Psychology Scholar Roundtable.

 

Dr. Ringgold holds five academic degrees which include a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Morgan State University, an Master of Science in Applied Psychology from the University of Baltimore; a Master of Science in Management and a MBA from the University of Maryland University College; and an Doctorate in Education from Morgan State University in Urban Educational Leadership, with an emphasis on Social Policy Analysis and Education Administration.

 

Aside from her work in higher education, Dr. Ringgold is committed to community service, volunteerism, and mentorship.  She has received countless awards and recognitions for community service and leadership in education.  Most recently, Dr. Ringgold was recognized by the Coalition of 100 Black Women for Excellence in Educational Leadership and is a 2013 recipient of The Daily Record’s Maryland’s Top 100 Women.

 

Andristine Robinson

Andristine Robinson currently serves as the Director of Institutional Initiatives in the Office of the President at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC).  She has also served as the Director of Student Services Operations and as the Interim Dean of College Life Services at PGCC.  Prior to this, Mrs. Robinson served as the Assistant Dean for Student Programs at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and as the Associate Dean of Students/Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Lincoln University (PA).  Mrs. Robinson began her work in higher education at West Virginia State University in Residential Life. 

 

Andristine Robinson is the immediate past National Vice President for Extension for the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society.  Her community involvement includes the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for which she serves as her chapter’s parliamentarian.  She is a member of the Board of Directors of Leadership Prince George’s and co-chairs the Curriculum Committee.  Her professional memberships include the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), and the North Atlantic Association of Commencement Officers (NAACO).

 

Mrs. Robinson has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Lincoln University (PA) from which she graduated cum laude and a Master of Arts Degree in Guidance and Counseling (with a specialization in College Student Personnel) from Marshall University.  She is married with two adult children and four grandchildren.

 

Angela Williams

Angela L. Williams, Ph.D, is a dedicated educator and consultant who believe in the holistic approach to one’s development.  Having worked in higher education for over fifteen years, she has had the opportunity of gaining a range of experiences in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, which has allowed her to manage academic/student programs, teach and work with a diverse group of students, faculty and administrators. In addition, Dr. Williams is the President and CEO of Integrative Transformational Services & Consulting (ITSC) LLC, focusing on Educational, Governmental, and International Affairs.

 

Dr. Williams is currently serving as a consultant on a One Step Away Initiative, Complete College Maryland State Grant Program for Bowie State University, were she was also employed full-time as an administrator for 12 years in Academic Affairs.

 

She presents at several local, national and international conferences on predictors of academic success of first-generation African American college students. She serves on several academic and professional Boards, in addition, has professional affiliations with the National Association of Professional Women, Public Members Association of the Foreign Service, The Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).  She is a motivational speaker, and provides training for college students in self-empowerment, sexual responsibility, depression issues, and conflict resolution.

 

Dr. Williams earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Morgan State University, received a Master of Education degree in Counseling with a concentration in Student Affairs from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La., and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La.

 

Paulette Williams

Paulette Williams has served as the Chair of the Social Work Program at Sojourner-Douglass College for the past 6 years. When Ms. Williams was promoted to the Chair position in 2009, she immediately began working on the accreditation for the Social Work Program and has led the faculty and staff through 3 successful commissioner visits under the Council of Social Work Education; the program is currently in candidacy status and moving towards initial accreditation in year 2014. For the past 4 years, Ms. Williams has been adjunct faculty at Catonsville Community College teaching various Psychology courses as well as working with the Nexus Program. Prior to working in the academic setting, Ms. Williams has worked in a variety of Human Service agencies providing services to the underserved populations in Baltimore City/County. 

 

Ms. Williams is currently completing her dissertation at Walden University, Human Service Program.

 

C. Jenise Williamson

C. Jenise Williamson is Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Bowie State University where she founded its Creative Writing Program in 1994.  Her teaching philosophy has always been to serve students first which has included much service to the campus community.  She has numerous publications in small literary magazines and has been on the WIMHE Board since 2013.

 

Caroline Wood

Caroline Wood has served as the Director of the Mount Airy College Center for Health Care Education since May 2012.  As the first director of the center, she brought up the unique facility and its programs in partnership with Carroll, Frederick and Howard Community Colleges.  In her role as director she is responsible for working with the three partner institutions to manage all aspects of the center.

 

Prior to her current role, Wood served in multiple capacities for five years in enrollment services at Howard Community College, her final role being Interim Director of Testing and Welcome and Information Services.  She has also taught Psychology as an adjunct faculty member at the Laurel College Center, another Howard Community College partner institution.  Before beginning her career in higher education, Wood spent more than a dozen years in broadcast journalism as a reporter, anchor and news director for multiple radio stations throughout the nation.

 

As an advocate for creating strong communities, Wood has served on multiple boards and committees throughout her professional career.  Wood is currently enrolled in an organizational leadership doctoral program at Northeastern University.  She received her masters of science in counselor education from McDaniel College, and her bachelor of arts degree from Drew University.  Wood has also completed multiple leadership programs including Leadership Howard County’s Leadership Essentials, Howard Community College’s EXCEL program, and the American Association of Women in Community College LEADERS Institute.

 

Terri Wright

Dr. Terri D. Wright has 10 years of teaching, research and program management experience in higher education. Her passion has been helping students achieve their educational goals. She earned a BA degree in chemistry from Hampton University and Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Wright began her career as a consultant in the chemicals industry at one of the “Big Five” IT & management consulting firms, Accenture, Ltd. After returning to academia in 2004, she was appointed as an assistant professor of chemistry at Allen University, and then became the Center Director for the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement program (MESA) at Atlanta Metropolitan State College where she provided underrepresented students in STEM fields with targeted advising and undergraduate research opportunities.

 

In 2010, Dr. Wright became the Assistant Director of the University Honors Program at Morgan State University, where she created a partnership with Constellation Energy to provide career and leadership development for honors students. She also served as the chapter advisor for three honor societies: Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, and Golden Key International. Later that year, Dr. Wright became the Associate Director for the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement program at the University of Maryland College Park. In this role, she prepared first generation and low-income students for Master’s and Doctoral – level graduate programs and helped to secure a $2M grant from the Department of Education. Currently, she is the Director of Developmental Studies and Tutorial Services at Stevenson University. In this position, she is responsible for redesigning the math, reading and English curricula, program assessment, and overseeing two (2) learning centers, a testing center.

 

Pershail Young

Pershail Young joined WIHME in 2013 as a board  member.  She has over 25 years of higher education experience.  She presently is the Associate Vice President at University Maryland University College.  She works with degree audit, graduation review, academic policy and training. Pershail received her B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of  Maryland Baltimore County and her M.A in Human Development and Education from the University of Maryland College Park.