Bonita Brown named Chancellor of the Winston-Salem State University

Bonia Brown, a seasoned academic leader, was appointed Chancellor of Winston-Salem State University effective July 1, 2024.

She most recent served as the interim President of Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Brown joined NKU in 2019 having served as NKU’s Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. The interim president appointment precluded her from applying for the permanent position.

Not long after earning her JD at Wake Forest University School of Law, Brown entered higher education first as Assistant to the President at Livingstone College in 2002 and then at Johnson C. Smith University. In 2004 she was appointed as assistant university attorney at Winston-Salem State University. She then became Chief of Staff at the University of North Texas and then Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Brown then joined the Education Trust in Washington, DC. and then Achieve the Dream before joining NKU.

Talladega College President Resigns Following School’s Inability to Meet Payroll

Talladega College President, Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, announced on Wednesday that he would resign following news that some faculty did not receive paychecks. It is still unclear as to what caused the delay that prompted a lack of confidence in the institution.  The school announced it will search for a new president.  Dr. Vincent stated that he intends to return to the private practice of law.  Vincent was appointed President effective June 2022.

Lisa A. Lori, J.D. Elected as the First Lay President of Marywood University

Citing to the “growing national trend of lawyer presidents,” the Marywood Board of Trustees announced the appointment of their former Board Chair, Lisa A. Lori, J.D. as their next President. Effective July 1, 2024. Prior to this appointment, only IMH Sisters have served as the institution’s president since 1915.

Lori has been a partner with Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzbyrg LLP in Philadelphia where she focused on business litigation for two decades, representing Fortune 500 companies, institutions of higher education and health care providers, among other clients.  She was a founder and co-chair of the firm’s higher education practice group.

Prior to her career in law, she designed and manufactured a line of clothing that was sold nationwide before being acquired by a larger apparel manufacturer.

She earned her J.D. and LL.M (in trial advocacy) from Temple University School of Law.  She also holds a certificate in Strategic Leadership in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.