Greater Fayetteville Business Journal
June 3, 2022 - June 16, 2022
bizfayetteville.com
From ACHIEVERS, page 8
Fayetteville State University announces new hires, promotions In May, FSU announced the promotions and hiring of several administrative staff. WESLEY FOUNTAIN has been promoted to the role of vice chancellor for External Affairs and Military Relations. “Mr. Fountain has served at FSU since 2010 in a variety of capacities from government relations assistant to director of constituent relations to Fountain his current role as AVC for Community Relations and Economic Partnerships. At every level, Mr. Fountain has excelled, whether at the community level, state government affairs and when forming and leveraging economic partnerships around development. Through his expertise and diligence, Wesley has been a tremendous asset in supporting the university’s priorities in every way,” says Chancellor Darrell T. Allison. “In light of recent and historic fortunes for this university, this new division’s responsibilities have grown exponentially and has caused me to refocus and provide the necessary resources needed to invest in additional personnel toward FSU’s overall expansion.” WENDELL PHILLIPS previously served in Fountain’s new role; now, Phillips will lead FSU’s state and federal relations department. “The administration has made this new position a priority. Growing Phillips our governmental capital will assist with providing additional support for legislation, funding sources, enrollment, and student success. I am confident that in this capacity Wendell will help FSU expand its footprint on Capitol Hill and the Department of Defense given FSU’s strong national position with military-connected students and the broader military community. Given Mr. Phillips unique legislative experience in the greater D.C. area, FSU could not have a more experienced leader in helping us at the federal level” says Chancellor Darrell T.
Allison. Serving as the new associate vice chancellor for police and public safety/chief of police starting on June 7 will be ROBERTO E. BRYAN JR., a veteran law enforcement officer with three decades of experience, including service in the U.S. Army as a military police officer. “Roberto BryBryan Jr an brings a rare combination of local, national, global and military law enforcement service and experience to our university police department that make him an exceptional leader who can step into this role immediately,” said Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darrell T. Allison. “His robust relationships in our communities will help us strengthen and elevate the work we are able to accomplish on and off campus. When I look into the faces of parents and guardians of many of the students at FSU, my first commitment that I express to them is that we will do all we can to keep our students safe and protected. With today’s announcement in naming Mr. Roberto Bryan as our next Chief of Police, I am even the more confident in making that promise to our families.” PAMELA BALDWIN is also a new addition to the FSU administration and will serve as associate dean of Academic Partnerships. "I am happy to welcome Dr. Baldwin to our FSU Baldwin team. Her years of experience in the K-12 arena will help FSU grow its footprint among public, private and charter schools across our state," says Dr. Leach, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
UNCP appoints Djerdjouri, Skuka as deans DR. MOHAMED DJERDJOURI will transition into his role as dean of the Thomas School of Business at UNC Pembroke on July 18. An academic leader with three decades of experience in higher Djerdjouri education, Djerdjouri serves as dean of the Johnson College of Business and Economics
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ACHIEVERS
at the University of South Carolina-Upstate. After searching the country for the person that would best fill the roll, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Djerdjouri for the position. "As provost, I look forward to working with Dr. Djerdjouri on developing academic programs, external partnerships and additional funding streams to support community and economic development in the region that we are so proud to serve,” said Provost Marsha Pollard. "I look forward to joining an already outstanding school and wish to build on the success achieved by my predecessors, Dean Barry O'Brien and interim Dean Susan Peters," Djerdjouri said. "This is a great university and Chancellor Cummings has an inspiring vision for it. UNCP is on the move, and I am delighted to be joining such a dynamic academic community and the opportunity to collaborate with Provost Pollard and my fellow deans." Renowned scholar and medical doctor EVA SKUKA was tapped as the dean of the College of Health Sciences for the university. Currently, SkuSkuka ka serves as the associate provost and dean of the School of Health Studies. She worked as a medical doctor for seven years before focusing in higher education, which she has done for the past 17 years. The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to accept the recommendation of Skuka by the search committee. “Dr. Skuka is joining UNCP at a pivotal time for the College of Health Sciences. With the workforce needs identified through a legislatively mandated health study in 2018, planning for new programs and offerings is already underway that will strongly impact and advance the health outcomes of this county and region. I am confident she will bring the experience and knowledge needed to lead the college as we further develop programs in the coming years,” said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings. Physicians Foundation CEO Robert Seligson sees Skuka’s appointment as especially important as the school can help students graduate and move into the healthcare sector. “The growth of UNCP’s College of Health Sciences is a key response
to this labor shortage, especially in southeastern North Carolina. The college is recognized for educating professionals who are highly likely to remain and practice in this area of North Carolina. Dr. Skuka’s record speaks to action and accomplishment, and I look forward to seeing the innovative opportunities and programs she will bring to the college,” Seligson said. “My vision for the College of Health Sciences at UNCP is to work collaboratively with the faculty and program administrators to strengthen the programs currently offered and look for opportunities for new programs that will align with the student’s needs, community needs, workforce trends and industries within the university’s service area. I’m highly committed to instilling in the students through the curricula that as health and human services professionals we all have a professional obligation to help improve the lives of the people and communities you’ve pledged to serve,” Skuka said. Like Djerdjouri, Skuka will also assume her new role on July 18.
FTCC librarian accepted into NCLA Leadership Institute FTCC librarian KRIS OBELE BELE was recently accepted into the North Carolina Library Association (NCLA) 2022 Leadership Institute. Obele Bele Out of 24 participants chosen through a competitive application process, Bele has been working as a librarian at FTCC for the past eight years. Prior to that, she worked at Cumberland County Public Library, High Point University’s Smith Library, Wake Forest’s Z. Smith Reynold’s Library, UNC-Greensboro’s Jackson Library and Peace College’s Finch Library. The NCLA Leadership Institute aims to provide “opportunities for learning and skill-building in leadership and mentoring within the library profession,” a press release from FTCC said. “All participants are asked to develop a response to a community and/or organizational need within librarianship. During her time within the institute, Obele Bele plans to focus on Information Literacy in Community College Libraries.”
