by Gerson Pancorbo

Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama has appointed Dr. Gina Spivey-Brown as its 12th president, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman to lead the institution in its 129-year history. Dr. Spivey-Brown, who holds credentials including Ph.D., RN, MSA, FAAN, FNAP, and FADLN, will officially assume leadership on July 1st, 2025.

Dr. Spivey-Brown brings extensive experience in higher education, most recently serving as Dean in the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Howard University for the past decade. Her impressive background includes leadership positions at Loma Linda University and Washington Adventist University, where she expanded programs, secured multi-million-dollar grants, and strengthened accreditation standards.

“I am deeply humbled that God chose me to be the 12th president of Oakwood University for such a time as this,” Dr. Spivey-Brown stated in the announcement. She succeeds Dr. Leslie Pollard, who has led the institution for 15 years.

Dr. Alex Bryant, Chair of the Oakwood University Board of Trustees, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, noting Dr. Spivey-Brown’s credentials as “a dynamic, spirit-filled, higher educational administrative leader” with an impressive record of enrollment growth and academic excellence.

As a champion for academic excellence and spiritual growth, Dr. Spivey-Brown is committed to strengthening Oakwood’s legacy as a premier faith-based institution of higher learning.

See official Statement: