Dr. Natasha Hutson named dean of University College
Dr. Natasha Hutson has been appointed as dean of University College.
She will be responsible for retention and development services. Her focus will be on ensuring that students receive the support and resources they need during the critical first two years of their academic journey at Alcorn.
“I am thrilled to continue the work of Alcorn’s student success strategy as dean of University College,” said Hutson. “I look forward to working in partnership with the University College team, the academic units, and the campus community to support a positive student experience through holistic student development. I appreciate both Drs. Wooden and Cook for their confidence and support of me to contribute to Alcorn’s student success outcomes in this new capacity.”
Hutson previously served as Alcorn’s chief of staff and assistant vice president for Student Development & dean of students.
With over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, she has a commitment to student success, collaboration and partnership, and a campus culture that encourages students, faculty, and staff to connect, engage, and belong.
She has contributed to the student success strategic priorities of Alcorn State University through partnership with faculty and staff to offer students significant co-curricular experiences and engagement initiatives that support students’ academic, personal, and professional goals.
During her tenure at Clayton State University, she was instrumental in the development of the University’s student success strategy to support new and incoming students. She also served in the role of faculty at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and as committee chair for the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).
She is a peer reviewer for the Journal of Community Engagement in Higher Education, where her original research, Institutionalizing Community Engagement in Higher Education: A Quantitative Approach to Engagement based on Institutional Characteristics, was published in 2019. Her research on community engagement in higher education has been widely disseminated, and she has provided oversight of a $1 million grant from the AmeriCorps National Service to provide scholarships to students.
In addition, Hutson is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and other organizations committed to advancing the work of student services in higher education and at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Hutson received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Mercer University, a master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Valdosta State University.
