CMSI Announces its first Cohort of MSI Humanities Leadership Academy Fellows!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jacinda Nembhard | jacinda.nembhard@gse.rutgers.edu | 848-932-0774
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 16, 2026 – The Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions (CMSI) will host the MSI Humanities Leadership Academy conference in Princeton, N.J., from August 4th to August 7th, 2026.
Today, we're pleased to announce our first cohort of MSI Humanities Leadership Academy Fellows:
- Eve Graves, Clark Atlanta University
- Erica Lorraine Williams, Spelman College
- Edward L. Holt, Grambling State University
- Dan B. Johnson Jr., Paine College
- Rodrecas Davis, Grambling State University
- Charlotte C. Teague, Alabama A&M University
- Miranda Myles Jackson, Xavier University of Louisiana
- Sevaughn Banks, California State University, Stanislaus
- Rewa Burnham, Trinity Washington University
- Tiffany Packer, Florida A&M University
- Jonathan D. Gomez, San José State University
- Luis Fernando Macías, California State University, Fresno
- David Shabazz, Kentucky State University
- Maisha Shabazz Akbar, Fort Valley State University
- Cornelius V. Johnson III, Olive-Harvey College
- Gertrude Allen, Spelman College
- Angela Small Blalock, Allen University
- Tanya Allen, Texas Southern University
- Anita Pandey, Morgan State University
This new academic leadership mentoring program is designed to strengthen the pipeline of humanities leaders at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Sponsored by a grant from the Mellon Foundation, the MSI Humanities Leadership Academy includes both a leadership forum and a mentoring program.
The program will equip humanities department chairs with the critical leadership skills, executive experience, and mentoring needed to take on academic leadership positions. Through intensive shadowing, one-on-one mentoring, and in-person and virtual professional development, participants will gain a greater understanding of academic leadership while deepening their capacity to embed humanities perspectives in institutional governance.
Join us in congratulating these academic leaders on their selection for the MSI Humanities Leadership Academy!
Read more about our new cohort here.
