We are excited to welcome you back to Atlanta, GA for the
2025 HBCU-CEEQA Annual Convening!
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Stephen P. Hundley
Stephen P. Hundley, Ph.D. is Founding Executive Director of the Center for Leading Improvements in Higher Education and Professor of Organizational Leadership at Indiana University Indianapolis. He serves as Chair of the Assessment Institute in Indianapolis, the oldest and largest U.S. event focused on assessing and improving higher education; Chair of the International Conference on Assessing Quality in Higher Education; Executive Editor of Assessment Update, an award-winning bimonthly periodical from Wiley; Series Editor of the Assessment and Improvement in Higher Education Book Series with Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group; and Host of Leading Improvements in Higher Education, the award-winning podcast service of the Assessment Institute in Indianapolis.
Stephen has addressed a variety of audiences in more than 30 countries on six continents and throughout the United States. He writes, consults, and presents on topics related to organizational effectiveness, learning and development strategies, and higher education administration. Additionally, he has been recognized for his accomplishments through teaching, publication, and service awards and has received competitive funding from private foundations and state and federal agencies to support his work, including continuous funding from the National Science Foundation for more than 15 years.
Stephen’s higher education leadership roles include Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Planning and Institutional Improvement, where he was also asked to serve as Interim Chief Enrollment Officer and Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education/Dean of University College during leadership transitions; Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Programs; Department Chair; and Program Director. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and his doctoral degree from American University in Washington, D.C. Stephen may be reached at shundley@iu.edu.
Dr. Alexei G. Matveev
Alexei G. Matveev serves as director of training and research at the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). His career in higher education spans more than 30 years serving in a variety of roles including faculty member, director of IE/assessment, and director of Quality Enhancement Plan. Dr. Matveev holds an undergraduate degree in philology and education from Udmurt State University (former USSR), an M.Ed. degree in educational administration/organization development from Kent State University (Ohio), an M.A. degree in economic sociology from Central European University (Poland/Hungary) and Lancaster University (United Kingdom), and a Ph.D. degree in higher education administration from the College of William and Mary (Virginia). Dr. Matveev published in several peer-reviewed journals and facilitated sessions at numerous professional meetings on various topics related to assessment, accreditation, curriculum mapping, and student completion.
Mr. Glenn Phillips
Glenn Allen Phillips is a Senior Insights Consultant at Watermark, based in Austin, Texas. In his role, he works directly with client colleagues to discuss good practices in assessment and accreditation, and suggest the use of integrated technology as appropriate. Prior to Watermark, Phillips served as the Director of Assessment at Howard University and the Acting Director of Assessment at The University of Texas at Arlington. His research interests include assessment and accreditation across institutional types, equity and assessment, the use of AI in assessment and accreditation, and the experiences of veterans in higher education. Phillips earned his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University and splits his time between Texas and Washington, D.C.
Dr. Sundra Kincey
Sundra D. Kincey, Ph.D. is Assistant Vice President of Program Quality and SACSCOC Institutional Liaison at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). Dr. Kincey’s professional career includes a wealth of experience in higher education that span over a course of twenty years with combined experiences at the university and statewide system level. As AVP of Program Quality, Kincey provides leadership in the development of new degree offerings, oversight of the university program review process, provide assistance to academic programs with specialized accreditation for initial and reaccreditation, and policy development and implementation related to academic programming and degree authorization.
Kincey also serves in a critical capacity for the University as SACSCOC Institutional Liaison to provide oversight of the institutional accreditation process. In this role, her collaborative works with both internal and external stakeholders aid the University to ensure that compliance with accreditation requirements is incorporated into the planning and evaluation processes of the institution. Kincey’s portfolio responsibility also includes providing institutional oversight for Textbook Affordability. In this capacity, she leads academic unit leaders to develop solutions to increase cost-savings for students during their matriculation at FAMU. This effort is a priority across the State University System (SUS) and Kincey serves as the champion and advocate at FAMU.
Dr. Itihari Touré
Itihari Touré, EdD, is the Associate Dean for Curriculum and Evaluation at McCormick Theological Seminary and an ordained ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church USA. Previously, she worked at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, where she taught Religious Education and served as Director of Institutional Effectiveness, overseeing accreditation for ATS and SACSCOC. At ITC, she launched The Sankofa Center for Data Evaluation and Quality Enhancement and the Sankofa Public Fellows Project, a collaborative initiative with five Historically Black Theological Institutions, through the Religious Freedom Center in Washington, D.C. Her research, the Sankofa Paradigm, integrates sacred memory work into academic programs.
As the owner and lead consultant of the Sankofa Center for Strategic Planning and Evaluation, Touré is currently developing curricula and evaluation designs for the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference Inc. in Chicago, focusing on three Lilly Endowment Initiatives. Since 1976, she has worked in education, the Black church, and with Black women in ministry. She coordinated the Black Women Ministerial Leadership program for the Office of Black Women in Church and Society, founded by womanist theologian Dr. Jacquelyn Grant, and has written grants for several initiatives, including the Womanist Scholars program at ITC.
Her recent effort, “The Souls of Black Girls,” is an education and action platform aimed at connecting advocates, agencies, and organizations addressing the intersecting realities faced by Black girls and women. Touré holds a B.A. in Education and Psychology, an M.A. in Human Development, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Melissa Lockhard
Melissa Lockard, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s in Biotechnology from the University of South Carolina, as well as a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Liberty University. In addition to her faculty role, Dr. Lockard serves as the Academic Coordinator for the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan, Living Your B.E.S.T. Life – Financially Informed and Thriving, where she supports student success initiatives through financial literacy education. With a professional background in cytogenetics, her research interests include collaborative projects with undergraduate students exploring the chromosomes of Acheta domesticus (the common house cricket) and the study of two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Outside of academia, Dr. Lockard enjoys life with her husband and their two talented high school athletes, staying active on the baseball and softball fields year-round.
Dr. Walletta Moore Johnson
Dr. Walletta Moore-Johnson is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. She began working at Benedict College in 2005 in the Title III Office within the Division of Institutional Advancement. During her 19 years at the College, she has learned the ins and outs of Advancement, fundraising, and grant writing raising close to $15 million in grant awards. She has previously served as the Coordinator of Prospect Research and the Director of Foundation Relations/Assistant Director of Title II & Sponsored Programs. She currently serves as the Director of Development and is also Coordinator of the College’s Joint Campaign and guides the efforts of the Religious Organizations Campaign. Dr. Johnson also has experience teaching on the elementary, technical, and undergraduate levels.
Dr. Johnson is a proud 2000 graduate of Benedict College. She holds a master’s degree in Education from Southern Wesleyan University, an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Cambridge Collegr. She is a recipient of the National Council of Negro Women’s Living the Legacy Award and is listed in Cambridge’s Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women. She is an active member of the Benedict College National Alumni Association and was elected to a second term as Corresponding Secretary. She serves as Chair of the Awards, Awards Luncheon, and Survey & Evaluations Committees and is a member of the Executive, Constitution & ByLaws, Strategic Plan, Technology, Publications Committee and Homecoming Committees.
She is a member of the following professional and civic organizations: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; National Association of Title III Administrators; Association of Fundraising Professionals; Council for the Advancement and Support of Education; Midlands Area UNCF Campaign Committee; Bradley Elementary Parent Teacher Organization; Bradley Elementary Magnet Advisory Council, Columbia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. (Corresponding Secretary, 2021-2022; Financial Secretary, 2022-2023; Treasurer, 2023-2025 and 2025-2027); Gill Creek Baptist Church Grief Ministry; Historic Randolph Cemetery (Board Member); and The Renaissance Foundation (Board Member).
Dr. Mark Howse
Dr. Mark Howse is a pivotal leader in the realm of institutional effectiveness, where he spearheads initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall performance and accountability of the institution. His primary responsibilities include directing efforts that foster a culture of data-informed decision-making, which is crucial for driving continuous improvement across various departments and programs.
Dr. Howse is instrumental in ensuring that the institution meets and maintains accreditation standards. He collaborates closely with faculty, administration, and staff to develop and implement assessment strategies that align with best practices in higher education. Through his leadership, he supports the institution’s mission by facilitating processes that enhance educational quality and institutional effectiveness.
In addition to his focus on accreditation compliance, Dr. Howse plays a vital role in aligning institutional performance with strategic priorities. He utilizes analytical tools and methodologies to evaluate and enhance operational efficiencies, ultimately contributing to the institution’s long-term success and sustainability. His commitment to fostering a data-driven culture empowers stakeholders to make informed choices that positively impact student outcomes and institutional growth.
Overall, Dr. Howse’s expertise and strategic vision are essential in guiding the institution toward achieving its goals while ensuring that it remains adaptable and responsive to the evolving educational landscape.
Mr. George Pinkney
Mr. George Pinkney, IV, M.Ed., currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Office of University Assessment at Florida A&M University. Mr. Pinkney graduated from FAMU in Spring 2023 with a B.S. in Business Education and in Spring 2025 with a Master of Education in Business Education. Mr. Pinkney has over 15 years of experience in assessment and continuous improvement on FAMU’s campus. He provides invaluable service in training and development on the assessment process, navigating the assessment platform, and managing surveys in Qualtrics. Mr. Pinkney was also a part of the team that completed the self-study that resulted in a 2020 Excellence in Assessment designation for FAMU.
Dr. Kiwanis Burr
Kiwanis Burr is the Director of the Office of University Assessment (OUA) at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Kiwanis graduated from FAMU in Spring 2005 and attended the University of Florida to pursue a PhD in Higher Education Administration with a
concentration in Research Methodology. Ms. Burr provides assistance to the FAMU community regarding assessment, in addition to collaborating with the Director of University Assessment to strategically enhance the culture of assessment at FAMU.
Mr. James Ofori
Originally from Athens, Georgia, James Ofori is a two-time alumnus of Savannah State University, where he earned a bachelor’s in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and advertising in 2016, followed by a master’s in public administration in 2018. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree in higher education management from the University of Georgia.
Ofori began his higher education journey in 2017 at the Office of Financial Aid at Savannah State University. In 2019, he moved to Atlanta, GA, to work as a program coordinator for Faculty Affairs and Development at Morehouse School of Medicine. He know serves as Assistant Director, Assessment of Learner Engagement.
In addition to his role at MSM, he chairs the Student Support Services Committee, advocating for student well-being across the institution. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Ofori also participates in professional organizations, including the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) and NASPA, and contributes to the leadership board for HBCU-CEEQA.
As a dedicated advocate for the HBCU community, Ofori aims to become an HBCU president, emphasizing his commitment to the advancement of HBCUs and their students.
Panel Participants:
Dr. Sundra Kincey (Pictured Above)
Dr. Raijanel Crockem
Dr. Raijanel Crockem is Sr. Associate Vice President of University Planning & Analytics at Texas Southern University (TSU). She has been a member of the TSU team for more than 25 years. Dr. Crockem has presented at national conferences on content areas such as: Institutional Effectiveness Best Practices, Proactively Bolstering Student Success with Intentional Outreach and Support, and Creating a Culture of Data Drive Decisions to Enhance Strategic Planning. Dr. Crockem is actively involved in several university-wide initiatives, such as Strategic Planning, Assessment, Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Program Reviews, Budgetary Planning and annual Title III reporting. She is Co-Chair of TSU’s University Assessment Council, Chair of the Assessment Review Team (ART) and serves on various other university-wide committees. She has served on the NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers) Data Analytics Committee and was a member of the inaugural Cohort to complete the Data Equity Fellowship offered through a prominent partnership between NWCCU (Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities) and SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges). Dr. Crockem has been a significant role-player in supporting the University’s successful reaffirmation by SACSCOC through the development of institutional multi-disciplinary teams and the implementation of a systematic approach to business processes and student success.
Mr. Jacques Detiege
Mr. Detiege currently serves as the Director, Institutional Research & Assessment at Dillard University. He has over 30-years experience providing data management, evaluation, and analytics services to government agencies, not-for-profits, and educational institutions. He has served as lead evaluator on projects funded by NSF, the US Department of Education, the US Department of Health and Human Services, NASA, and ONDCP. He received an NIH Travel Award to train in Translational Research – moving research to practices to improve the health and well-being of BIPOC individuals and communities. His research and evaluation methodology utilizes culturally aware and community-centered approaches, leveraging empirical evidence to develop narratives for the advancement of equity and justice. Mr. Detiege has completed research training through the Tulane-Charity-LSU General Clinical Research Center and the U. Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center’s Center for Research on Minority Health. Current research focuses on liberal education as a social justice imperative.
Dr. Alexis Gatson
Dr. Alexis Gatson Heaston is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health, Health Administration & Health Sciences at Tennessee State University. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Tennessee State University, a Master of Science in Public and Community Health, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Austin Peay State University.
Dr. Heaston also serves as the Department Assessment Coordinator and the University Quality Enhancement Plan Faculty Liaison, serving with institutional effectiveness initiatives including the development of Tennessee State University’s Advisement Manual and campus-wide Major Maps implementation. Her teaching portfolio includes graduate and undergraduate courses in public health ethics, healthcare management, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Her research focuses on social drivers of health, spirituality and health, and educational leadership. She has published in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health and Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship, and most recently secured grant funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Tennessee Department of Health for maternal mortality and obesity health disparities research. Her leadership development includes fellowships with Leadership Tennessee, the Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute, and the Higher Education Leadership Foundation.
Her professional experience encompasses diverse roles in higher education administration, including program management, university enrollment services, and secondary education. This interdisciplinary background informs her scholarly approach to academic program development, evidence-based student success interventions, and community-engaged research.
Dr. Heaston’s commitment to service extends beyond academia through her leadership as a local President of a prominent historically African American organization, her role as a Trustee for Payne Theological Seminary, and her service on the General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. Cherise Peters
Dr. Cherise Y. Peters is a distinguished higher education administrator with over four decades of experience in the field. She specializes in a wide array of areas, including Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, Recruitment and Admissions (both undergraduate and graduate), Academic Affairs, Residential Life, Student Information Systems (Banner, PeopleSoft, and Jenzibar), Financial Services, Marketing, Institutional Operations, and Student Judicial and Governmental Affairs. Throughout her career, Dr. Peters has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing student success and institutional development.
Currently, Dr. Peters serves as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life at Clark Atlanta University. She is also the CEO and Principal Consultant for Peters Principle, LLC, where she provides strategic consulting services to higher education institutions, focusing on transformative changes that improve organizational performance and foster student achievement. A recognized expert in enrollment services, Dr. Peters has presented and consulted both nationally and internationally, providing actionable solutions in areas such as marketing, recruitment, admissions, strategic planning, and community engagement. Her efforts have helped numerous institutions implement comprehensive enrollment strategies that improve student retention, progression, and graduation outcomes.
Dr. Peters has held various senior leadership positions throughout her career, including:
- Dean of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions, Clark Atlanta University
- Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Support Services, Jacksonville State University
- Vice President for Enrollment Management and Residential Life, Miles College
- Associate Provost and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Alabama State University
- Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services and University Registrar, Georgia State University
- Director of Finance and Administration, Art Institute of Washington
- Executive Director, Advanced Career Training Institutes, Atlanta and Riverdale
- Dean of Students and Interim Dean for Finance and Administration, DeVry University