Saundra Tomlinson-Clarke promoted to Provost at Rutgers University

Saundra Tomlinson-Clarke, a veteran faculty member and administrator, has been promoted as Rutgers–New Brunswick’s provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Chancellor Francine Conway appointed Tomlinson-Clarke to the new role, following Tomlinson-Clarke’s service for two years as senior vice provost for academic and faculty affairs.

“With my direct knowledge of her professionalism, character and commitment to the success of our faculty and students, I have no doubt that Provost Tomlinson-Clarke will help lead Rutgers–New Brunswick to ever greater levels of success,” Conway said.

As provost, Tomlinson-Clarke will continue to support the chancellor in providing support to all academic areas related to research, growth in academic program development aligned with the Academic Master Plan and faculty. This appointment sharpens Rutgers–New Brunswick’s focus on supporting academic excellence across its academic units, residential colleges and institutes.

Tomlinson-Clarke also will oversee initiatives that help faculty members advance in their careers through recruitment, mentoring and leadership development.

“It takes thriving, fulfilled and successful faculty members to produce thriving, fulfilled and successful students – and student success is, of course, our highest goal,” Tomlinson-Clarke said. “I am grateful for this opportunity and proud to continue supporting our academic mission.”

Tomlinson-Clarke, a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the Graduate School of Education, has served on the Rutgers–New Brunswick faculty for more than three decades. She also is a licensed psychologist and fellow of the American Psychological Association whose research focuses on the development of culturally responsive interventions to enhance learning.

Conway, who led Rutgers–New Brunswick under the hybrid title of “chancellor-provost” for two years, was appointed as chancellor by Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway earlier this summer.

Meharry Medical College School of Medicine names Dr. Harris-Haywood as new School of Medicine dean

Sonja Harris-Haywood, M.D., M.S., MA, has been appointed dean of the Meharry Medical College School of Medicine. Harris-Haywood will advance Meharry’s mission to serve the underserved by leading, innovating and growing the College’s medical education and training curriculum and programs.

“Dr. Harris-Haywood’s achievements in multidisciplinary clinical research and curriculum, as well as her emphasis on teaching basic science from a clinical perspective, make her the perfect dean for our ever-evolving medical school,” said James E.K. Hildreth, Ph.D., M.D., president and CEO of Meharry Medical College. “For nearly 150 years, Meharry has been committed to creating a more diverse health care workforce and developing the next generation of providers who will serve underserved and minority populations. Dr. Harris-Haywood will work with her skilled faculty and Meharry leadership to create and fulfill a vision for educational success that will further Meharry’s work around the world.”

Harris-Haywood comes to Meharry from Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine (NEOMED), where she served as associate dean of curriculum integration and one of the key leaders that drove the transformation, implementation and assessment of a new medical school curriculum that integrated medical and clinical sciences. As Meharry Dean of the School of Medicine, Harris-Haywood will lead strategic initiatives and long-term planning as well as oversee curriculum development, institutional assessment and improvement, and faculty development and performance to further the College’s mission of advancing health equity locally, nationally and globally.

Prior to her position as associate dean of curriculum at NEOMED, Harris-Haywood served as its senior associate dean and the director of its Partnership for Urban Health and Primary Care. In this role, she worked to recruit, educate and retain a minority physician workforce to practice in underserved communities. Under her leadership, the partnership worked to graduate diverse students committed to practicing in primary care throughout urban areas of Cleveland, Ohio.

“The mission of Meharry captures everything I’ve worked toward throughout my career,” said Harris-Haywood. “The College is unmatched in its commitment to ensuring that our nation’s underserved communities have access to the health care services and support they need. I’m honored to now be a part of Meharry’s rich legacy by leading and creating new educational experiences and opportunities for the next generation of providers who will serve underserved and minority communities.”

Harris-Haywood earned a master’s degree in science education from New York University in 1992, and a master’s degree in clinical investigation from Case Western Reserve University in 2015. She attended Seton Hall University for her undergraduate studies and received her medical degree from New Jersey Medical School in 1997 and completed her family medicine residency at Mountainside Family Medicine in Montclair, New Jersey. She is a devoted wife to Morris T. Haywood, D.P.M., and the proud mother of three children.

PGA of America and One Hundred Black Men of New York to Host Junior One Hundred Challenge

The PGA of America and One Hundred Black Men of New York (OHBM) have formed a strategic inclusion partnership to introduce opportunities within golf to the Junior One Hundred (JOH) membership by hosting the Junior One Hundred Challenge at Ardsley Country Club, Aug. 7-8 in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

The partnership and Junior One Hundred Challenge opens the door for 70 local, Black college and high school-aged members of the JOH to learn the fundamentals of the game, understand possible career opportunities within and around the $102 billion golf industry and other industries, and showcase how golf can be pivotal to their future careers.

The JOH is a youth leadership and career exposure program open to students ages 12 to 24. The program focuses on career exploration, character development, personal growth and mentorship.

The event includes a PGA Professional-led clinic; a “Leading with You” panel discussion focussed on finding inner strength and purpose through career aspirations; an address from New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks; a Career Services Resume Workshop; and a special opportunity to meet with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh, PGA Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Price and OHBM President Aldrin Enis.

The event will also consist of a Pro-Am styled, 9-hole playing lesson with 25 JOH Members paired with PGA Professionals. Following play, each playing participant will receive a $1,000 scholarship from OHBM to help further their education.

“The PGA of America greatly values our relationship with the One Hundred Black Men of New York, who we see as one of the most impactful, community-based organizations in New York,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “It’s an honor to align with them to introduce this great game, and more importantly, the career opportunities these young adults can take advantage of within the growing golf industry.”The “Leading with You” Panel will feature Troon Golf DE&I Director Kendall Murphy, PGA, Regional Vice President of Enterprise Holdings for Long Island John Mackey, and Niara Consulting Founder Jodi Brockington, as they share their unique career journeys.

“The One Hundred Black Men of New York’s partnership with the PGA of America underscores a unique opportunity to bring golf to inner city children who otherwise might never have exposure to such an important game,” said One Hundred Black Men of New York Interim Executive Director Erik Cliette. “Our Junior One Hundred students may not immediately appreciate the opportunity before them; however, as their corporate experience deepens, and they understand that golf is a significant platform for advancement, I am confident that their appreciation for the game, the exposure, and this opportunity will deepen also.”

This is the second year OHBM has joined forces with the PGA of America; PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America; and PGA WORKS, a strategic initiative designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce, to host the Junior One Hundred Challenge.

NAACP statement on passing of Professor Charles J. Ogletree Jr.

Following the passing of Plrofessor Charles J. Ogletree Jr., NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson released the following statement:

"Throughout his career, Professor Ogletree played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the NAACP's mission. Through mentorship, he provided invaluable guidance on a wide array of issues from reparations for the Tulsa Race Massacre to The Association's national convention planning. As we bid farewell to this extraordinary civil rights champion, let us honor his legacy by committing a renewed determination and dedication to the continued fight for racial justice. The NAACP stands as a testament to the enduring impact of his life's work, and we pledge to continue the fight for justice, equality, and human rights in his honor. His leadership empowered a new generation of civil rights leaders, inspiring them to carry the torch forward in the fight for justice and progress."

We extend our deepest condolences to Professor Ogletree's family, friends, colleagues, and all whose lives he touched. May his memory serve as a guiding light towards a more just and equitable society for all.

Rest in power.

Professor: Florida's African American studies rules will confuse students

Florida teachers will be teaching new African American history standards. They are standards that have drawn criticism from across the country for whitewashing history.

History professor Dr. Michael Butler at Flagler College says if students are taught the news standards in primary school, he expects a lot of confusion and necessary reteaching once they get to his classes and other college courses.