A New Dean in Charge

If you’re from Atlanta or you know about the nation’s top colleges then you have without a doubt heard of Emory University. Emory University is one of the most top ranked schools in the nation. Emory University has recently made headlines, it’s probably not for what you think. Emory University will welcome its first black woman, Erika Hayes James, Ph.D. to be the dean of their top-ranked Goizueta Business School.  James will serve as the first black woman to lead a full-time MBA program which is currently ranked No. 1 by the Bloomberg Business Week, with four of their degree programs ranking within the top 25. James was a former associate dean at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. James has previously served as a consultant to several Fortune 500 companies as well as having received her Ph.D. in organizational psychology from the University of Michigan.

This is an incredible accomplishment for not only James, but for black women as a whole. In recent studies black women have been ranked the most educated group by race and gender. This accomplishment for James speaks volumes for all black women, this shows that we aren’t content with just a bachelor’s degree anymore, we desire to go further and obtain our Masters and Doctorates. Obtaining higher degrees not only makes us more marketable in the job market, but it helps us to actively go against our male counterparts. Females whether black or white, historically have been paid less than their male counterpart holding the same position. For a black woman to make this accomplishment, to some may not seem to be much of a big deal, but in actuality it is. How many black women are deans at prestigious schools? Let’s just say not enough. James plans to bridge the gap between the Goizueta Business School and business in Atlanta, James stated that, “I see a real opportunity to align business thought leadership in Atlanta and, in the tradition of the academy, to bring research to bear on challenges”.  Atlanta seems to be the perfect place for James’ vision to come to full circle. Atlanta has many Fortune 500 companies that will allow for many business and leadership opportunities to become a part of the vision the James has set out for the Goizueta Business School. Emory University Provost Claire Sterk had this to say about James, “she brings a background of impressive scholarship and strong skills in academic administration, and she will work collaboratively with faculty, students, staff, alumni and supporters to take the school to the next level – all while honoring the principled leadership or Mr. Goizueta’s  legacy”.

Can you say BLACK EXCELLENCE?! Congratulations to Erika Hayes James!

Britt Daise
Urban Echelon Magazine & Blogspot

Twitter: thisisbee

PHOTO CRED: Erika Hayes James