New Faces, NEW PLACES

FAMU Announces W. Rebecca Brown as CFO/VP Finance and Administration

Florida A&M University (FAMU)

FAMU Announces Athletics Compliance Team

Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced its Athletics Compliance team. The six team members are part of the Office of Compliance and Ethics and fulfill President Larry Robinson’s commitment to promote a culture of compliance at the University and provide additional support to student-athletes. “I am impressed with the quality and experience of the new staff additions to our Compliance team. This will go a long way toward ensuring that our student-athletes get the service and support they need to succeed on and off the playing field,” Robinson said.

The Office of Compliance and Ethics (OCE) built out the Athletics Compliance Office over several months after President Robinson’s approval of the expanded structure of the unit in July 2022. OCE is in the process of identifying a candidate to fill the remaining vacancy in the Athletics Compliance Office.

The new team members are: Brittney Johnson, senior associate athletic director for compliance/senior woman administrator; Lori Goodart, associate athletic director for compliance, financial aid, and benefits; Kelley Bickham, coordinator, athletics compliance, certification and eligibility; Jerry Goodson, coordinator, athletics compliance, general compliance; Tia Huie, coordinator, athletics compliance, financial aid and benefits; and Alexus Davenport, graduate assistant, athletics compliance.

Mary Simmons Appointed Interim Dean SOAHS

Mary Simmons, Ph.D., has been appointed interim dean for the School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS). Simmons’ appointment began on July 1, 2022, following the retirement of Cynthia Hughes-Harris, Ph.D.

“I am honored, humbled, and excited to be called to serve the School of Allied Health Sciences in this capacity,” Simmons said. “I am looking forward to working with our faculty and staff to build upon the foundation of success established by our previous administrators.”

Simmons currently serves as the director for the Division of Cardiopulmonary Science in the School of Allied Health Sciences. In this role, she provides administrative oversight, as well as instruction and evaluation of the program.

Simmons celebrated her 20th work anniversary at FAMU last year. She holds a bachelor’s degree in cardiopulmonary science and a master’s degree in Public Health from FAMU, as well as a doctorate in public health/community health from Walden University. Her practical background includes respiratory therapy in adult critical care, pediatrics, trauma, and chronically diseased patients, and she has additional experience in childhood obesity and community health.

President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., announced in January the appointment of W. Rebecca Brown as chief financial officer (CFO)/vice president for Finance and Administration. Brown succeeds Gloria Walker, Ed.D. “Rebecca Brown has the qualifications and commitment to serve FAMU in this important role. She ably demonstrated this as interim CFO/VP during those rugged early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are looking forward to her continued leadership as we forge a new era of excellence at Florida A&M University,” Robinson said.

A FAMU alumna, Brown has filled various senior roles during her 24-year tenure with the University. She served as interim CFO/ VP for Finance and Administration from July 2021 until June 2022. Brown has been assistant vice president for Finance and Administration in charge of Business & Auxiliary Services. In that role, Brown provides oversight of Dining, Bookstore, Rattler Card, Business Center, Snack Vending, Drink Vending, Laundry, and Commercial Solicitation. She is responsible for more than 150 staff and contracted personnel and a consolidated operating budget of about $33 million.

As CFO/VP for Finance and Administration, Brown oversees Human Resources, Facilities Planning and Construction, which includes Plant Operations and Maintenance, the Budget Office, Comptroller’s Office, Procurement Services, and Business and Auxiliary Services.

“I’m happy for the confidence placed in me,” said Brown, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from FAMU. “We will bond together and get the job done.”

Allyson L. Watson Named Interim Provost/VP Academic Affairs

Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., an innovator and an expert in urban education, has been named interim provost/vice president for Academic Affairs, as part of the University’s administrative restructuring in November 2022. Watson was named dean of the College of Education in July 2019. Before coming to FAMU, Watson has been the dean of the College of Education at the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg (USFSP) since July 2017. Previously, she served as assistant dean, professor, and the first-named endowed chair for Urban Education, Outreach and Research at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. After graduating from BethuneCookman University, Watson earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in educational administration, curriculum, and supervision from the University of Oklahoma. As a full professor and graduate faculty member, she taught courses on educational research, advanced educational measurements and statistics, public school relations and instructional strategies.