After an extensive search of highly qualified candidates, I am pleased to share with you the selection of Pamela E. Scott-Johnson, Ph.D., C’82, as the College’s new provost and vice president for academic affairs. Scott-Johnson, who currently serves as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ, will join Spelman on August 1, 2023.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Scott-Johnson, an alumna and former faculty member, back to Spelman College. She will play a central role in advancing the college’s teaching, research, learning and overall mission. Dr. Scott-Johnson’s familiarity with the College and passion for its mission —along with her stellar administrative experience at a range of complex higher education institutions, scholarly record in the sciences, coupled with a strong appreciation for the liberal arts, and fundraising skills — make her the right choice for this role.

As the chief academic officer, the provost has responsibility for ensuring the highest integrity and standards for academic excellence, in support of academic affairs, faculty life and student learning. As the chief adviser to the president and the faculty on academic affairs, Scott-Johnson will collaborate with faculty on the formulation and implementation of educational policies, oversee and enhance academic programs and the scholarly work of the College.

Before joining Monmouth, Scott-Johnson served as the dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences at California State University, Los Angeles, the largest college in the university. She spent nearly 15 years at Morgan State University, Baltimore, serving in many roles including interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts, chair of the department of psychology, professor of psychology, and founding director of the psychometrics graduate program. Before joining Morgan State, she spent 10 years as a faculty member at Spelman College, where she earned tenure. Scott-Johnson earned master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology and neuroscience from Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, and a bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) in psychology from Spelman College, where she was inducted into Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology.

Since September 2021, Dolores Bradley Brennan, Ph.D., has served as the interim provost. Dr. Bradley Brennan has provided outstanding leadership to the Provost Office and to the College. We look forward to her remaining in the leadership of the Provost Office and continuing to contribute to advancing our academic mission.

As we share this news publicly later today, please join me in welcoming Dr. Scott-Johnson back to Spelman College.

President Helene Gayle