On August 10, 2022, Dr. Gladys Ashe Robinson was elected Chair of the Bennett College Board of Trustees, effective immediately. Dr. Robinson will complete the current designated term of the chair, which ends on June 30, 2023. She is filling the vacancy left by outgoing Chair Kwanza Jones, who  stepped down from the board on August 8, 2022 for family reasons. Ms. Jones, an entrepreneur and philanthropist has been a champion of Bennett and its multi-generational impact on women, families, communities and beyond. She will continue engagement with Bennett going forward, but in a less official capacity.

Dr. Robinson has served as a Bennett College Trustee since 2015. During an earlier tenure as Chair (2016 – 2021), she led the College through its pivotal change in strategic direction, which has created an exciting new framework for the future. She has also played an instrumental role in establishing a powerful long-term partnership with national accrediting body TRACS and will oversee the final phase of Bennett’s transition into TRACS membership, expected this academic year.

The College is governed by a consequential Board of Trustees that meets at least quarterly. The Board is committed to ensuring that it supports strategic long-term goals aligned to the values, guiding principles, and beliefs of the College. As the governing body of the College, the Board of Trustees is charged with policy making for the College and serve without compensation.

The officers of the Board of Trustees shall be the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and the President of the College. The President has the responsibility for the day-to-day management of the College.

The membership of the Board of Trustees shall be composed of five (5) to eighteen 18 members. The President of the College, the Chair of the Faculty Senate of the College and the President of the Student Government Association of the College shall serve as Ex-Officio Trustees without the power to vote. The Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church or designee and the Chief Executive Officer of the United Methodist Women or designee shall serve as Ex-Officio Trustees with the power to vote.

Board of Officers

Senator Gladys Ashe Robinson, Ph.D., Chair

Deputy Minority Leader of the North Carolina Senate

Senator Gladys A. Robinson, has been elected to her sixth term in the Senate. She is 1st Vice Chair of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus and is a dedicated advocate for the people of North Carolina, specifically Guilford County.

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Mark Milliron, Ph.D., Vice Chair

President and CEO of National University

Dr. Mark David Milliron is an award-winning leader, author, speaker, and consultant, who works with universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, foundations, corporations, associations, and government agencies across the country and around the world. Effective October 1, 2022, Dr. Milliron will begin service as President and CEO of National University, a San Diego-based nonprofit institution focused on working learners.

Linkedin

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Natalie Renee Parker ’01, Secretary

Talent and Organizational Strategist, Entrepreneur, HR Leader and Executive Coach (5 Talents Consulting LLC/Wyndham Capital Mortgage)

I am strategic Human Resources (HR) and Organizational Development (OD) leader with over 20 years’ experience in corporate, manufacturing, and non-profit environments alike.

Linkedin

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Suzanne E. Walsh, J.D.

President

Suzanne Walsh is the 19th President of Bennett College, one of two historically black colleges for women in the United States. Prior to that role, she served as the deputy director for postsecondary success with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Board Members

James A. Anderson , Ph.D.

Chancellor Emeritus Fayetteville State University

Chancellor – Fayetteville State University (2008-2020)
VP and Vice Provost – SUNY Albany (2006-2008)
VP and Associate Provost – Texas A&M (2003-2006)

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Zakyha Jones-Walker

SGA President Ex Officio/ Non-Voting

Hello, all! My name is Zakyha Jones-Walker and I am a junior Psychology major with an Entrepreneurship minor from Hopewell, Virginia.

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Dr. Santiba Campbell

Ex Officio/ Non-Voting Faculty Senate President Bennett College

A seasoned higher ed professional, thought partner and translator for public engagement, her research has applied an intersectional perspective to assess the nature and consequences of social identity development regarding personal and collective self.

Linkedin

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Jermon Bafaty

Founder and CEO of Platinum Technologies

I have a nineteen-year career supporting the United States Government, most of which was spent as a Technology Operations or Growth executive for Fortune 500 Companies.

LinkedIn

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Dr. Ronald Carter

President & CEO of Carter & Associates

Ronald Carter’s expertise spans leadership development, executive coaching, team building, scenario planning, institutional development, and civic engagement.

LinkedIn

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Dr. Pamela Jolly

Founder and CEO of Torch Enterprises Inc.

Dr. Pamela Jolly is a graduate of Hampton University, the Wharton School of Business, Boston University School of Theology, and Graduate Theological Foundation.

LinkedIn

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Rev. Rodvegas Marc Ingram, Sr.

Pastor of St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Greensboro, NC

Rev. Rodvegas Marc Ingram Sr., a native of Albemarle, NC and a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, is pastor of the founding church of Bennett College, St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Greensboro, NC. He has been pastoring in the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church since 2001.

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Dr. Charlene Green

Anesthesiologist, Anesthesiology Consultants of NC

Dr. Charlene Green is a private practice anesthesiologist and the current President of the Old North State Medical Society.

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Cassandra Jones Havard, J.D.

Professor of Law, University of South Carolina School of Law

Cassandra Jones Havard joined South Carolina Law as a professor of law in Fall 2022 after serving on the faculties of the Temple University Beasley School of Law and the University of Baltimore School of Law.

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Mark Milliron, Ph.D., Vice Chair

President and CEO of National University

Dr. Mark David Milliron is an award-winning leader, author, speaker, and consultant, who works with universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, foundations, corporations, associations, and government agencies across the country and around the world. Effective October 1, 2022, Dr. Milliron will begin service as President and CEO of National University, a San Diego-based nonprofit institution focused on working learners.

Linkedin

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Natalie Renee Parker ’01, Secretary

Talent and Organizational Strategist, Entrepreneur, HR Leader and Executive Coach (5 Talents Consulting LLC/Wyndham Capital Mortgage)

I am strategic Human Resources (HR) and Organizational Development (OD) leader with over 20 years’ experience in corporate, manufacturing, and non-profit environments alike.

Linkedin

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Kimberly Jessup Ripberger, CPA

Partner, Bernard Robinson & Company LLP

My path to Audit Partner and Chief People Officer is a non-traditional path since I started my journey at 35 years old. I enjoy giving back by serving my BRC team members and serving in the community.

Linkedin

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Senator Gladys Ashe Robinson, Ph.D., Chair

Deputy Minority Leader of the North Carolina Senate

Senator Gladys A. Robinson, has been elected to her sixth term in the Senate. She is 1st Vice Chair of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus and is a dedicated advocate for the people of North Carolina, specifically Guilford County.

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LaNella Smith

Ex Officio/Voting Representative of the United Methodist Women

 

Madieu Williams, J.D.

Strategist, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist

A proven business leader with experience running both corporate entities and international nonprofit organizations. Skilled at navigating complex legal issues and policies from contract negotiations to immigration and worker’s compensation.

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Suzanne E. Walsh, J.D.

President

Suzanne Walsh is the 19th President of Bennett College, one of two historically black colleges for women in the United States. Prior to that role, she served as the deputy director for postsecondary success with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Linkedin

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Debra Clark Jones

Associate Vice President for Community Health, Duke Health President, TEQuity

I am a strategic planning, analytics, and management executive with a passion to advance equity. My 30+ years of experience includes work in the health, education, economic development, and technology sectors.

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Nicole Washington

Partner, Kirkland & Ellis

Nicole Washington regularly represents some of the largest and most diversified asset managers, as well as numerous small and middle-market managers on the formation of private investment funds ranging from several hundred million to multibillion dollars.

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2022 – 2023 Board Meetings

  1. September 9 – 10, 2022 – Quarterly meeting (holding both days to give time to review Blueprint Dashboards & any TRACS-related items)
  2. December 10, 2022 – Quarterly meeting
  3. March 11, 2023 – Quarterly meeting
  4. June 23 – 24, 2023 – Annual Board Retreat