Shawna Cooper-Gibson Appointed Vice President of Student Services at Seton Hall University

Shawna Cooper-Gibson, Ed.D., a national leader in academic, co-curricular and multicultural student development, has been appointed Vice President of Student Services at Seton Hall University.

Cooper-Gibson currently serves as the Assistant Provost for Student Academic Services at Loyola University Chicago and will officially begin her new position on October 14, 2019.

“Dr. Cooper-Gibson’s impressive academic credentials, extensive professional experience and unwavering commitment to student success make her the ideal candidate for this position,” said Seton Hall University President Joseph E. Nyre. “She will play a key leadership role in furthering the University’s mission of providing exceptional opportunities for student learning, growth, reflection and service in our global society.”

The Vice President for Student Services serves as a member of the Executive Cabinet and provides critical leadership and guidance to facilitate decision making in all matters relating to student welfare. At Seton Hall, Cooper-Gibson will oversee a wide array of student support and academic programs including the Academic Resource Center, Career Center, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Freshman Studies, Health Services, Housing and Residence Life, and Public Safety and Security.

+“I look forward to joining the Seton Hall community and building upon the rich tradition of Catholic education that exists here,” said Cooper-Gibson. “All of the people I met while visiting campus were extremely welcoming and I could not have asked for a better experience. I firmly believe that for today’s college students to be successful, it requires close collaboration between divisions, offices and all members of the University community. I am excited to strengthen and expand upon those collaborations.”

As Assistant Provost at Loyola University Chicago, Cooper-Gibson oversees academic support services including First and Second Year Advising, the Career Development Center, TRiO Student Support Services and academic assistance programs. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Council for Student Success and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Education as well as assisting the university in reaching its retention and student success goals.

She previously served as the Dean of Students of the School of Social Services Administration at the University of Chicago, Director of African American Student Affairs at Northwestern University, Assistant Director of the Student Activities Office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Assistant Dean of the School of Communication at Loyola University Chicago.

Cooper-Gibson earned a doctoral degree of education from Boston University, master of education degree from National Louis University and bachelor of science degree from University of Illinois.

Cooper-Gibson was selected following a national search led by a committee that included representatives from the student body, priest community, faculty and administration. Vice President for Enrollment Management Alyssa McCloud served as chair of the search committee.

Robin Cunningham, Associate Vice President and Dean of Freshman Studies, will continue to serve as Interim Vice President for Student Services until Cooper-Gibson’s arrival.

“Dr. Cooper-Gibson is an exceptional leader at this exceptional time in Seton Hall’s history,” noted President Nyre. “As her proven track record and vast experience demonstrates, she is a student-focused leader and will surely advance the Seton Hall mission. We look forward to welcoming her to our university community.”

Althea Gibson sculpture unveiled on Day One of the 2019 US Open

In a long overdue tribute to the first African American to break international tennis' color barrier, a new statue of Althea Gibson was unveiled at the opening day of the U.S. Open.

The statue is comprised of five granite blocks and created by American sculptor Eric Goulder. It sits outside Arthur Ashe Stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.

In 1947, Gibson broke into the elite ranks of the tennis world winning the first 10 consecutive American Tennis Association women's titles. (The ATA was the tennis equivalent of baseball's Negro Leagues.) At the age of 23, Gibson became the first African American player to compete in the U.S. Nationals, the precursor to the U.S. Open, in 1950.

Between 1956 to 1958, Gibson made her mark. She won 11 majors, and was the first black player to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals. When she retired in 1958, she was the top-ranked woman in tennis having won more than 50 singles and doubles championships.

Read more: New Statue At U.S. Open Honors African American Tennis Pioneer Althea Gibson

Stacey Abrams says she's not running for Georgia Senate seat

Stacey Abrams said that she will not be running for the United States Senate next year following news that Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) would retire. Her spokes person released the following statement:

Statement from my spokesman: pic.twitter.com/0smIAb5ptA

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) August 28, 2019

Barbie introduces Rosa Parks doll

Barbie® recognizes all female role models. The Inspiring Women™ Series pays tribute to incredible heroines of their time; courageous women who took risks, changed rules and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before.

Rosa Louise Parks led an ordinary life as a seamstress until an extraordinary moment on December 1, 1955. When she refused an order to give up her seat to a white passenger and move to the back of the bus, Mrs. Parks’ act of defiance became the catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Rosa Parks’ quiet strength played a notable role in the civil rights movement, but it would still take another nine years and more struggles before the 1964 Civil Rights Act overruled existing segregations laws. Hailed as “the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement,” Rosa Parks earned worldwide recognition and numerous awards including the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.

Celebrate Rosa Parks and her impact on the civil rights movement with this Inspiring Women™ Series Rosa Parks Barbie® doll. Includes doll stand, Certificate of Authenticity and doll wearing fashion and accessories. Colors and decorations may vary.

Teen takes advantage of Popeyes chicken sandwich frenzy to register people to vote

Instead of the complaining about the long lines at Popeyes as everyone waited to try their chicken sandwich, 17-year-old David Ledbetter of North Carolina took the opportunity to make some real change in his community.

Ledbetter was seen this weekend standing outside a Charlotte Popeyes registering people to vote.

Ledbetter himself is not even old enough to vote but said he wanted to push for others to get involved in local politics.

"I decided to register people to vote after I saw there was a lack of young people politically involved," Ledbetter said.

On Saturday, the Meyers Park rising senior said he proudly registered 16 people to vote.

“I believe that it is our duty to vote as American citizens and it would be wrong not to exercise our political voice," Ledbetter said.

[SOURCE: WCNC]