July 18, 2012 — Morehead State University has announced that Dr. Clarenda M. Phillips, chair of the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminology, has been named interim associate vice president for academic affairs.
Dr. Phillips earned Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a B.A. degree in sociology from DePauw University. She worked as a senior research associate with Policy Studies Associates Inc. in Washington, D.C., before starting her career at MSU in 2000.
“Dr. Phillips brings to the position a deep commitment to MSU and the respect of her colleagues. She has not only established a strong record of teaching, scholarly productivity and professional service, but she has demonstrated effective leadership skills,” said Dr. Karla Hughes, provost. “She will bring high levels of energy, commitment and vision to this position.”
Dr. Phillips spent the 2010-11 academic year as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
In addition to faculty responsibilities, Dr. Phillips has served as assistant provost, heading major campus initiatives and projects including those related to diversity. She was awarded a prestigious National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) postdoctoral fellowship for the 2003-04 academic year to conduct research with the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Department of Behavioral Science.
She is a member of the first class admitted to the MSU President’s Leadership Academy and a former director of the MSU Interdisciplinary Women’s Studies Program.
“I am excited by this opportunity to serve MSU as interim associate vice president for academic affairs,” said Dr. Phillips. “MSU’s commitment to student success has resulted in remarkable academic accomplishments. I look forward to helping MSU build on past successes and achieve its promise for the future,” she said.
Dr. Phillips is a member of several University, college and department committees and assumes major leadership roles on many of them. In addition to the NIMH Fellowship, she has been honored by other professional associations including Theta Phi Honor Society and the American Sociological Association. Her professional activities have taken her to the continents of Asia and Africa.
Additional information is available by calling Dr. Phillips at 783-2656.
