JACKSONVILLE, FL – June 15, 2023 – After a remarkably accomplished and nearly 30-year career in higher education as a tenured faculty member, academic department chair, administrative department director, chief of staff, and associate provost, Dr. Genyne Henry Boston has accepted an appointment by Edward Waters University (EWU) President & CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr. to become the new Provost & Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at the state of Florida’s first historically black college or university (HBCU).
Dr. Boston will serve as the University’s chief academic officer providing intellectual leadership to create, advance, and implement the academic mission of the university and oversee its academic programs, a wide range of faculty matters, and student academic affairs. In addition, Dr. Boston will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the university, ensuring academic excellence, and fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. Under the leadership of the President, and as a senior member of his executive cabinet, Dr. Boston will provide innovative stratagems and vision to the university community towards building upon EWU’s strategic academic direction under an expanded academic model, balancing the excellence of individual academic departments with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary endeavors and collaboration. Dr. Boston is an accomplished scholar and visionary leader who has dedicated her career to advancing higher education. With a deep commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, Dr. Boston is poised to inspire the university community to reach new heights of academic achievement.
“I am truly honored to join in support of advancing the demonstrably tremendous vision of President Faison and the Edward Waters University community as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs,” said Dr. Boston. “I am equally excited to work alongside our exceptional faculty, staff, and students to further enhance the academic experience, foster innovation, and promote the pursuit of knowledge in a rapidly changing world.”
Boston will join the institution at a particularly transformative time as her leadership will usher in the onboarding of seven new academic degree programs at EWU including new undergraduate bachelor degrees in social work, computer and information science, public health, accounting, and sports management along with two new graduate master’s degrees in public administration and cybersecurity all of which are set to debut this coming fall.
President & CEO Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., speaking on behalf of the university administration, expressed high confidence in Dr. Boston’s leadership and ability to continue the university’s progressive and forward moving academic trajectory. “I am ecstatic to welcome Dr. Boston to our university community and we are brimming with anticipation for what her leadership and contributions will produce for the benefit of our dynamic students and dedicated faculty,” said President Faison.
“Her extensive experience, passion for education, and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly continue to elevate our institution’s academic standing and contribute significantly to our mission of preparing future leaders and scholars.”
Prior to joining Edward Waters University, Dr. Boston held prominent leadership positions in higher education, where she successfully implemented innovative academic programs, promoted faculty excellence, and strengthened strategic partnerships. Her track record of fostering an inclusive and diverse academic community aligns perfectly with EWU’s core values and commitment to equity and social justice. In particular, Dr. Boston served as Associate Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs at Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Chief of Staff to the Provost where she maintained responsibility for managing all student and faculty affairs as well as providing oversight and management of major projects and initiatives within the division of academic affairs. During her administrative tenure at Florida A&M University Boston was the founding director of the FAMU Teaching and Learning Center and provided leadership as the director of its quality enhancement program as a part of FAMU’s successful SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation effort. Dr. Boston formerly served as the Chair for the Department of English at Florida A&M University and as the department’s Director of Composition Studies. Boston also priorly served as FAMU’s deputy director of athletics and provided day-to-day oversight of the athletics department’s internal and external operations.
As an eminent scholar and academician, Dr. Boston earned tenure as a full professor of English in 19th and 20th Century African-American Literature at FAMU and her work has been widely recognized and published in numerous scholarly peer-reviewed journals. Boston earned a Ph.D. in English Literature from Florida State University, a M.A. in English from Florida State University, and a B.A. in English from Florida State University. She has participated in numerous executive educational leadership programs including selection as a Millennium Leadership Institute (MLI) Fellow of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU); an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow; an Epsilon Cohort fellow of the Higher Education Leadership Foundation (HELF); while having also completed post-doctoral study at the Harvard University Institute for Management and Leadership in Education (MLE).
Boston is a member of the Delta Kappa Omega Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Tallahassee Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and the Bethel AME Church of Tallahassee, Florida. She is married to Marcus D. Boston, Jr., and together they have three children— Marcus, III, Madisen and Makensie.
Dr. Boston will assume her role as University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Edward Waters University on July 3, 2023. Her appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Edward Waters University and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact she will make on our academic community.
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Edward Waters University (EWU), accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges, and Schools (SACS) and member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), is a private, historically black, urban liberal arts institution that offers high quality academic programs. The university strives to prepare students holistically to advance in a global society through the provision of intellectually stimulating programs, and an environment that emphasizes Christian principles and high moral and spiritual values. EWU was established in 1866 and is an African Methodist Episcopal Church-related institution of learning. It is the first private institution of higher education in the State of Florida.
Asa Philip Randolph was a groundbreaking leader, organizer, and social activist who championed equitable labor rights for African American communities, becoming one of the most impactful civil rights and social justice leaders of the 20th century. His activism spanned 60 years, and included the organization of the largest labor union for Black workers in the United States and the coordination of two Marches on Washington (1941 and 1963).
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