DR. JOHNETTA CROSS BRAZZELL NAMED AS UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS’ NEW VICE CHANCELLOR FOR STUDENT SERVICES

Says Chancellor White’s Vision For The University is Main Attraction

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Dr. Johnetta Cross Brazzell will join the University of Arkansas as vice chancellor for student services, Chancellor John A. White announced today.

Brazzell comes to the U of A with a wealth of experience in student services. Most recently she served as vice president for student affairs at Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga., one of the country’s leading institutions of higher education in America. In fact, Spelman has been ranked, by the magazine Black Enterprise, as the nation’s No. 1 college where African-Americans are most likely to succeed.

Brazzell will assume the position effective Jan. 15 at an annual salary of $130,000.

"Dr. Brazzell has the experience and energy that will revitalize our campus community," White said. "We want to create an atmosphere that will provide cohesion among our students, faculty and staff, and incorporate the mission of student services across the academic and administrative units of the University.

"Our primary concern at the University of Arkansas is educating our students, and we realize much of that learning takes place outside the classroom," White added. Dr. Brazzell has demonstrated great ability to incorporate learning in all aspects of student services. Her abilities will enable this campus to set the standard for student services among our peer institutions."

"Brazzell said it is Chancellor White’s vision for the University that has brought her here."

"It is inspiring that he is so energetically engaged in the process to transform and take this University to a higher level on all fronts," she said "It is important that I work for someone with whom I can share a vision, and I feel this very much with Chancellor White."

Having led efforts at Spelman College to integrate curricular and co-curricular activities, Brazzell has a unique base of experience to bring to the University of Arkansas.

"Spelman was my first opportunity to be a chief in student affairs. I had a wonderful president, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, who allowed me to grow professionally, and a wonderful staff full of energy and vision," Brazzell said.

"In that position I was able to develop and test processes and develop a philosophy on how I view student life. This allowed me to explore how to develop professional relationships that lead to the creation of partnerships and collaborative connections necessary to creating and maintaining a cohesive campus community," Brazzell said.

Dr. Cole said the University of Arkansas has gained two professionals that will be sorely missed in Atlanta. "I am deeply excited for the University of Arkansas because I profoundly respect Chancellor White, and I can imagine that with the addition of Dr. Johnetta Cross Brazzell tremendous work will result for your university.

"I can say that Dr. Brazzell is one of the most impressive educational administrators that I have ever worked with. She is particularly talented in the way in which she incorporates the work of student services with the fundamental mission of a college or university -- namely assisting students in becoming well-educated, active citizens of the world," said Cole.

"She has particular ability to bridge the distance between academic and student affairs by working directly with the faculty," Cole said. "I would also emphasize the way in which the women students at Spelman college responded so positively to Dr. Brazzell’s leadership, and they did so by exerting their own positive leadership."

Dr. Cole served as the president of Spelman for 10 years. She is currently the presidential distinguished professor of anthropology, women’s studies and African- American studies at Emory University in Atlanta.

Brazzell’s initial tasks are to get to know the institution, develop a plan to enhance the sense of community on campus and ensure that students feel welcome and are quickly supported in all aspects of collegiate life.

"I will be responsible for creating such an environment," Brazzell said. "I believe the educational process -- both inside and outside the classroom -- should be seamless and that all facets of an institution must work together to provide a student- centered environment. Students are the reason for everything we do and we must actively remember that in everything we do on campus."

Among her professional accomplishments, Brazzell served as the chair of the National Advisory Committee for Minority Undergraduate Fellowships Program which is part of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).

"Dr. Brazzell’s understanding and leadership in African-American issues in higher education is a welcome strength. Her leadership in this area can only enhance our vision to create a more diverse campus community," White said.

Brazzell earned her bachelor’s degree in history and political science in 1968 from Spelman College. She earned her master’s degree in American history with an emphasis on the African-American experience in 1972 from the University of Chicago. She earned a Ph.D. in higher and adult continuing education in 1991 from the University of Michigan.

In addition to her position at Spelman College, her professional experience with student services includes: In 1993, interim dean of students at the University of Arizona, a campus of 35,000 students; 1990-93, associate dean of students at the University of Arizona; 1988-90, assistant to the associate vice president of academic affairs and vice president for student affairs at the University of Michigan; 1982-87 director of placement and career services at Oakland University.

Brazzell was a Fulbright Scholar in 1994. She also has served as a reviewer and editorial board member for The Review of Higher Education. She was appointed by the governor of Georgia to serve on the Georgia Commission for National and Community Service.

Brazzell also brings to the University a wealth of experience in the classroom, having taught courses in areas of African-American history at the college-level since 1972.

###