Florida Southern College Appoints Dr. Shameka Shelby as Deputy Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence

LAKELAND, Fla., Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Southern College proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Shameka Shelby as the new Deputy Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence. Dr. Shelby will assume her new role in September. Dr. Shelby has been a faculty member with Florida Southern College for over a decade, most recently serving as Department Chair of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics. Dr. Shelby also serves as the Dr. John A. Leighty Endowed Chair in Chemistry.

Dr. Jeremy P. Martin, President of Florida Southern College, praised Dr. Shelby's leadership, saying, "Dr. Shelby brings an array of professional experiences in addition to deep understanding of the College. I was delighted to discover someone ideally suited for this new role was already a valued member of our community. I look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish."

Dr. Shelby holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Michigan. A first-generation college graduate and passionate mentor, she has collaborated extensively with undergraduate students in her research, resulting in numerous publications and conference presentations.

"I am honored to step into the role of Deputy Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence at Florida Southern College," said Dr. Shelby. "This unique position allows me to collaborate across the institution to advance strategic initiatives that enhance our impact and visibility while fostering a culture of inclusion where all students, faculty and staff can thrive."

Dr. Shelby has demonstrated strong leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to inclusive excellence through her contributions to institutional initiatives. She has served as Associate Director of the Honors Program, chaired the Second-Year Student Success and Retention Task Force, led the Enrollment Management Committee, and served as a member of the General Education Curriculum Task Force. Additionally, she has advanced diversity and inclusion efforts as a member of the DEIB Council and co-developer of the Race, Culture, and Ethnic Studies minor. These experiences collectively highlight her ability to foster collaboration across diverse areas of the College and advance initiatives that align with the institution's values and goals.

"By leveraging the principles of inclusive excellence, I am excited to help align our strategic goals with meaningful actions that support student success, faculty engagement and institutional growth," said Dr. Shelby. "I look forward to building on the College's strong foundation and working together to create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute to our shared mission."

In her new role, Dr. Shelby is poised to make a lasting impact at Florida Southern College. With her extensive experience in academia, leadership, and research, she is uniquely qualified to drive initiatives that promote student success and institutional growth. Dr. Shelby's appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the College as it continues to foster a thriving, collaborative community.

About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College is the oldest private college in the state. The College maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 70+ undergraduate programs and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, nursing, and physical therapy. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, is an award-winning national leader in engaged learning, and boasts 30 NCAA Division II National Championships. In the U.S. News & World Report's 2025 "Best Colleges" guide, Florida Southern ranks #11 among "Best Regional Universities in the South," #9 in "Most Innovative Schools," and #20 in "Best Value Schools." The College is also highlighted in The Princeton Review's 2024 Best 389 Colleges guide and the "Fiske Guide to Colleges 2025." The 2024-2025 Colleges of Distinction guidebook praises Florida Southern's AACSB accredited Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise alongside the College's School of Education and its Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Home to the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, FSC has appeared on The Princeton Review's top 20 "Most Beautiful Campus" national listing for 13 consecutive years, now ranking #5. Connect with Florida Southern College.

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SOURCE Florida Southern College