Rhonda Phillips is an American academic administrator and economic development expert serving as the twentieth president of Chatham University. She was the inaugural dean of Purdue University Honors College and a professor of agricultural economics from 2013 to 2023.
Rhonda Phillips | |
|---|---|
| 20th President of Chatham University | |
| Assumed office April 18, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | David Finegold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mississippi, U.S. |
| Education | University of Southern Mississippi Georgia Institute of Technology |
Life
editPhillips was raised in Santee near Bassfield, Mississippi.[1] She earned a bachelor's degree (1983) in geography and master's degree (1986) in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM).[2] She completed a master's degree (1992) in economics and a Ph.D. in city and regional planning from Georgia Tech in 1996.[3][2]
Phillips is an economic development and sustainability expert.[3] Phillips was the associate director for economic development at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.[4] She worked at the University of Florida and USM.[4] At the Arizona State University (ASU), Phillips served as the associate dean for Barrett, The Honors College and was a professor and director of the school of community resources and development.[2][4] She was also a senior sustainability scientist at the ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability.[4]
In 2013, Phillips joined Purdue University as the inaugural dean of the John Martinson Honors College and a professor of agricultural economics.[2][5] She was a finalist for the presidency of College of Charleston in 2018 and New College of Florida in 2021.[3] On April 18, 2023, she was named the twentieth president of Chatham University, succeeding David Finegold.[4]
References
edit- ^ Beveridge, Lici (April 20, 2023). "Mississippi woman named president of university in Pittsburgh. How did she get there?". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
- ^ a b c d Sullivan, Kelsey (2013-10-30). "Purdue's inaugural dean of Honors College brings idea of sustainability to campus". Purdue Exponent. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
- ^ a b c Morrison, Oliver (2023-04-18). "Chatham University selects economic development and sustainability expert as 10th female president". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
- ^ a b c d e Bonura, Denise (2023-04-18). "What Chatham's New President Hopes To Achieve At The University's Helm". Pittsburgh Magazine. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
- ^ "New College of Florida Names Five Presidential Candidates". Sarasota Magazine. March 17, 2021. Retrieved 2023-07-23.