(JACKSON, Miss.) – Dr. Loria Brown Gordon has joined the Division of Undergraduate Studies as the Interim Associate Dean of the W.E.B. DuBois Honors College at Jackson State University.
Gordon previously served JSU as the Special Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life/Principal Investigator and Director of TRIO Programs. She holds faculty rank as assistant professor with graduate faculty status in the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership.
In her new position, Gordon will provide leadership and coordinate and assess the effectiveness of honors curricula, programs, research and other learning opportunities. She will also identify students for participation in local and national events and provide student support services including scholarships, cultural enrichment and service learning experiences. Gordon will oversee recruitment, matriculation, graduation and tracking of post-baccalaureate achievements of Honors College students.
“I am excited about this opportunity to work with honor students. I believe that my experiences bring together the best of what is often viewed as two worlds, academic affairs and student life,” Gordon said. “I have served many years teaching undergraduate students to be successful in conducting research, preparing graduate students to become teachers and scholars, and establishing collaborations with faculty, staff and external networks. These are the skills that I will use to establish new precedents for the Honors College.”
In her previous role at JSU, Gordon was responsible for coordinating the development and training for assessment and strategic planning for the Division of Student Life, including the supervision of the Latasha Norman Center for Counseling and Disabilities Services. Gordon’s role with TRIO Programs included grant writing and administration, oversight of the Upward Bound Program and day-to-day operations of the McNair Scholars Program.
Gordon holds her most prized accomplishments in the facilitation of the McNair Scholars Program, where she taught undergraduate students from various disciplines research methods and assisted them in preparing for doctoral study. During her tenure with the McNair Scholars Program, 97 percent of graduation-eligible students attained a bachelor’s degree, 69 percent of student graduates attained a master’s degree, 10 percent are currently enrolled in terminal degree programs and 3 percent attained terminal degrees.
“Dr. Loria Brown Gordon brings a wealth of information in working successfully with students and has an excellent track record in grant writing,” said Dr. Evelyn J. Leggette, Dean of Undergraduate Studies. “I look forward to her building on the outstanding record of the Honors College.”
A native of Markham, Ill., Gordon completed her graduate and undergraduate studies at Jackson State University. She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Administration with emphasis in English, a Master’s in Educational Administration with emphasis in leadership and supervision, and a Bachelor of Science in mass communications.