84th Grand Chapter Meeting Edition (Summer Issue)

KAPPA NEWS

Dr. Melvin T. Stith: President of Norfolk State University

He has also served on the boards of Correctional Services Corporation, JM family Enterprises Youth Automotive Training Center, the Keebler Company, United Telephone of Florida, Rexall Sundown, Inc., and the Jim Moran Foundation. Dr. Stith is a Spring 1966 initiate of the Norfolk State University Chapter, the Epsilon Zeta of Kappa Alpha Psi ® and is a Life Member. In discussing the challenges of the higher education landscape, Dr. Stith said, “Today’s higher education landscape is full of both great challenge and opportunity. At Norfolk State we are meeting those available opportunities for growth and progress. The Norfolk State University Board of Visitors recently approved the University’s 2019-2025 Strategic Plan. In the coming years, NSU will be recognized as a premier public institution with outstanding signature challenges head-on and leveraging our strengths in order to maximize cybersecurity, innovative research and community engagement. Norfolk State University is a student centered university where students always come first. As we tell our students, ‘We See The Future In You.’ academic programs in the arts, business and

higher learning, especially public universities, we seek appropriate financial support from the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is further enhanced by our research grants and support from our public/private partners including our alumni. Thus, financial solvency and student and faculty retention are the keys to our success. As President, I constantly seek methods to improve all aspects of our operations through shared governance, open door policies, and dialogue with the entire Norfolk State community.” In discussing the impact of being president, constant interaction with stakeholders is key. “Since arriving on campus in January 2018, I have established and communicated a clear set of priorities that focus squarely on student success, faculty engagement, revenue growth, and the elevation of Norfolk State University’s visibility and impact among our partners and peers. In support of these priorities, I have met with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, which have included students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community and corporate leaders. I have also made difficult, but necessary human capital decisions to ensure that

Dr. Melvin T. Stith serves as the interim

Syracuse and achieved the rank of Captain.

President of Norfolk State University (NSU). He has a distinguished career in higher education, business civic engagement and board service. When he was brought out of retirement and hired as interim president of Norfolk State University, he was Vice Rector of the school’s Board of Visitors. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from NSU and earned a Master’s and Ph.D. in marketing at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. He served in Army Military Intelligence Command during a tour in Vietnam before going to

Dr. Stith became Dean Emeritus of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University and served as Dean from 2005 until July 2013. Prior to taking that position, he was the Dean Emeritus and Jim Moran Professor of Business Administration at Florida State University for 13 years. Prior to his academic leadership roles, he served as a Professor of Marketing and Business. He served on the boards of corporate and nonprofit organizations such as AARP, Aflac, Flowers Food Corp. and Synovus Financial Corp.

At most institutions of

Publishing achievement for 105 years

THE JOURNAL  84 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING ISSUE  | 55

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