Meet Our Board Members

Professor Address Malata

Professor Malata is the Vice Chancellor of the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), a position that she has held for five years. She became the 2nd Vice President of CIMPAD on July 22, 2022.
As an outstanding leader, she is the first woman to lead a major university in Malawi. She spearheaded the development and implementation of various Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs in the fields of Health, Science, Innovation and Technology. Under her leadership, capacity building for faculty and other staff has been supported and MUST is a beautiful shining star among African universities. Her research work has focused on sexual and reproductive health, HIV and AIDS, and health workforce development.

As a renowned international speaker, author and editor of various journals in the field of health, nursing, midwifery, and health workforce, professor Malata has made significant contributions in health care. Most notably, she is an advocate for girls and women empowerment through education. She is the recipient of numerous awards, fellowships and honors in nursing. A Medal of Distinction by the University of Malawi was awarded to her for being one of the first female Professors. She holds the title of adjunct Professor for Michigan State University, and Doctor Honaris Causa by the University of Oslo in Norway.
CIMPAD is indeed honored to have the distinguished Professor Malata as part of the organization’s leadership. Her exemplary leadership skills and expertise will serve us well.

Dr. Andrew Ewoh

Dr. Andrew I. E. Ewoh is a Professor of Political Science and Public Administration in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University (TSU). He served as Interim Dean and Interim Associate Dean, respectively, at TSU. He is an accomplished scholar with extensive teaching, research, and administrative experience. Before joining the faculty at TSU, he was Director of the Master of Public Administration Program and Professor of Public Administration, and Co-Director of the MBA/MPA Dual Degree Program at Kennesaw State University (KSU) in Georgia. Prior to KSU, he was the Political Science Program Coordinator and Professor at Prairie View A&M University in Texas for 15 years. Dr. Ewoh served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and as a Visiting Professor at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest, Romania. He is also a Fulbright Specialist for the Council for International Exchange of Scholars and a Visiting Professor of Public Administration at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa. Dr. Ewoh has made a substantial number of presentations at annual meetings and conferences of learned societies, and professional associations in various parts of the world. His long-term research and teaching interests are in the areas of public administration, research methods, policy analysis/evaluation, governance, human resource management, public-private partnerships, political economy, comparative public administration, economic development, American government and politics. His articles have appeared in Review of Policy Research, Public Personnel Management, Review of Public Personnel Administration, International Journal of Economic Development, Theoretical & Applied Economics, Public Performance & Management Review, Public Works Management & Policy, and numerous scholarly journals. He has authored several book chapters and some of his scholarly contributions are part of required readings in various American as well as foreign universities and colleges. Most of his scholarly contributions are cited in other scholars’ research and funded projects.

Professor Ewoh’s other public service professional accomplishments include, but are not limited to, chairing several committees, serving on panels, various journal editorial boards, and participating in executive councils of regional and national organizations. He is a former president of Conference of Minority Public Administrators and served on the National Council of the American Society for Public Administration, the Executive Council of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), and NASPAA’s Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation. He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Public Management & Social Policy, and the Editor of both the African Social Science Review and the Ralph Bunche Journal of Public Affairs. Dr. Ewoh is a recipient of several honors and awards, and is listed on Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World. Professor Ewoh is a Fellow of the Academy of Political Science—duly initiated into the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration—and is a life member of the American Society for Public Administration. He earned his PhD and MA in political economy from the University of Texas at Dallas, an MPA in public administration from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a BS in business administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Dr. Aziza Zemrani has a long history of academic and public service both in the United States and abroad. She is currently working as an associate professor at the University of Texas Pan American where she is currently the acting chair for the Department of Public Affairs and Security Studies (PASS).

She showed leadership for international cultural immersion programs. She took the lead for the signing of a general agreement for a partnership between the University Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco and UTPA. This involvement is in line with her past experience as a Moroccan Executive. Dr. Zemrani worked for the government of Morocco as well as numerous American institutions.

Dr. Zemrani served as one of the senior female officials in the Moroccan government. She held a variety of top level posts during this period including Division Chief at the Directorate of Executive Training, Chief of Statistics for the Ministry of National Education, and Chief of Recruitment in the Ministry of Planning. Her many responsibilities included increasing the supply of international scholarships by working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation Agency.

She was in charge of negotiating and signing international cooperation agreements with several countries and developed new ways for establishing cooperative links with foreign countries. She also had the opportunity to work on a development projects with USAID, including capacity building in Moroccan institutions. She was part of a team that developed institution selection criteria and procedures for capacity building technical assistance, as well as conducting need assessments for training purposes in order to implement a USAID development project to improve girls schooling in rural areas.

Dr. Zemrani also served on the National Higher Education Long Range Plan Task Force Steering Committee and she served as the Moroccan representative to the Task Force Review Committee for the Implementation of the New Strategic Plan for the United States Agency for International Development.

Dr. Zemrani earned her PhD. From Southern University and A & M College, the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. She also earned a master in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburg, and a Bachelor degree in Law from the University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco. Prior to coming to the Univeristy of Texas Pan American, Dr. Zemrani taught at Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia; and Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York. Her areas of expertise include Budgeting, Financial Management, Public Finances, Research Methods and Statistics, Program evaluation and policy, Cultural Competency and she is certified with the Kozai group.

Dr. Berhanu Mengistu

Berhanu Mengistu, PhD, is an emeritus professor of Public Policy and Administration at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
Among his favorite courses to teach are Conflict Resolution (ADR), Organization Development and Change Management, Public Policy, Public Finance & Budgeting, Logic of Social Inquiry, Leadership, and Organization Theory and Behavior.
He frequently offers workshops in the areas of conflict resolution, negotiation and mediation, peacemaking and peace building, inter-faith dialogue for peacemaking, shared leadership and other soft skill themes including communication styles, managing emotional intelligence, holding crucial conversations, bridging differences for consensus building. 

His ongoing projects in Ethiopia include, working with the Supreme Court of Ethiopia and Justice for All to establish court-annexed Mediation Services and providing academic curriculum development support in establishing university based graduate programs at the master’s and PhD level. 

Working with kindred spirit colleagues, he is involved in building projects in Ethiopia that include schools with Well water, community service-based churches as well as the Enable Her project (school-based sanitation pad project) for girls of high school ages. 

He has been a Fulbright Scholar in the Republic of South Africa, Ethiopia, and Ukraine and was winner of the 2020-2021 The Ambassador for Distinguished Scholar Program to teach and conduct research as well as mentoring students and junior faculty members in Ethiopia. 

He serves as the Chair of the Ethiopian Forum for Constructive Engagement, a conflict mediation NGO (www.Ethioselam.com), and as the Vice President of the Consortium for International Management, Policy, and Development (WWW.CIMPAD.ORG).

Dr. Callixte Kabera

Dr. Charles Johnson

David A. Bell is a faculty member of the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He earned his Ph.D. in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, where he also received his MPA with a focus on nonprofit management, specifically of NGOs. At the undergraduate level, he studied public affairs management at Michigan State University. His research interests include leadership and accountability involving public organizations, entrepreneurship and capital flow in developing countries, program evaluation, nonprofit management, organizational leadership, and cross-sector collaboration.

Bell is a member of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), the Conference of Minority Public Administrators and the Consortium for International Management, Policy and Development. He has extensive management and executive experience at civil society organizations, including those that focus on human services and the banking industry.

Dr. DeLacy D. Davis

Dr. Doreen N. Myrie is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Jackson State University, in Jackson, Mississippi, USA. Before working as a teacher educator, she taught in special education and inclusion settings at the elementary, middle, and high school levels for a combined total of 18 years. Her interest in teaching children with disabilities goes back to her early years of primary school growing up in Malawi.

After seeing some of her classmates struggle to learn in classes, she developed a desire to understand more and work with those facing academic challenges and individuals with disabilities. At that time, there was very little awareness of Dyslexia or other learning disabilities. She believes that lives can be positively transformed when promoting a climate of inclusion, collaboration, and innovation.

Esther Jones Langston, PHD, ACSW, LCSW
Professor Emeritus School of Social Work
Director of Family Support Services
Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach – CAEO
University of Nevada Las Vegas

Dr. Harvey L. White is an Affiliated Professor at the University of Delaware Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. He is also an emeritus professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. White is an accomplished scholar, experienced administrator, and distinguished public service professional. He has held a variety of high-level government and university administrative positions.

Dr. White has served as a city manager, community development specialist, director of urban and regional planning, coordinator of public administration degrees, and as academic dean. Dr. White is often engaged as a management consultant on public sector service delivery issues. He has consulted, lectured, and led research projects in Africa, Asia, and Caribbean countries. He has expertise in Program evaluation, performance management, Talent management, and artificial intelligence.

Dr. White has authored or co-authored five books and more than 70 other publications on public sector issues. His professional activities include Director of the Gulf Coast Center for Healthy Communities, editorship of the Journal of Public Management and Social Policy, President of the National Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA), and President of the American Society for Public Administration. Dr. White is the Founder and Past General Chair of the Consortium for International Management, Policy, and Development. He is also a fellow in the National Academy of Public Administration.

Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ph.D. Political Science, 1985
East Carolina University, M. S. Administrative Services, 1978
North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, BA Political Science 1972

Dr. James Korku Agbodzakey

Dr. James Korku Agbodzakey is a Professor of Public Leadership/Administration and the Director of the Urban SERCH Institute at the University of North Texas Dallas. He has worked extensively for governments, private and nonprofit entities in Africa, U.S. and the Caribbean on various projects and programs. He championed public health, management, public affairs, economic, and sustainable development efforts through his work with the Florida Atlantic University’s Public Procurement Research Center, Broward Sheriff’s Office Department of Organizational Development and Accreditation, United Nations, International Monetary Fund/Kelly Services, College of The Bahamas/University of The Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Save Lower Volta Network, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ohio University, Hillel at Ohio University, Broward County HIV Health Services Planning Council and Palm Beach County HIV Care Council among others. Furthermore, his public management and health services research using the collaborative governance framework has helped shape policies and strategies as a conduit to promoting health and general wellbeing of target populations at the local and regional levels across the U.S. He recently served on the Executive Committee, and National Council of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), and as the President of the Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA) in 2020-2021.

Dr. Agbodzakey participated in over 70 academic conferences, done over 60 academic presentations, has at least, 40 peer-reviewed academic publications and recently facilitated publication of 180 authors in the Springer Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance as a Section Editor for the section on Urban Governance and Public Management: Issues, Challenges, and Developments. He currently serves on three editorial boards, and four governance boards. His extensive scholarly, curriculum development, accreditation, program building, nonprofit sector and community-engaged experiences have prepared him to effectively excel as a specialist or consultant for institutional and country benefits. Dr. Agbodzakey received outstanding faculty award in 2013 and 2023 respectively at the College of the Bahamas/University of the Bahamas, and UNT Dalla (Graduate School). Also, he is the 1st Black faculty to be promoted to the rank of Full Professor at UNT Dallas. Dr. Agbodzakey is committed to working with various stakeholders to help address contemporary complex challenges for public benefits based on inclusive excellence.

Dr. Jerome Hughes

Dr. Joyce Odongo

Dr.Kendra Brumfield-NaWanga

Dr. Leslee Battle

Dr. Maria Merrills

As the Director of International Programs and Study Abroad at Winston-Salem State University, Dr. Merrills creates meaningful international learning experiences and supports the university’s strategic goals. A 2025 Fulbright International Education Administrator award recipient to France and Senegal, Dr. Merrills demonstrates an ability to enhance educational programs and foster international collaboration.She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Studies focusing on Multicultural Online Education, an M.A. in English and Afro-American Literature, and a B.A. in English. She also has a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Effective College Teaching.

Her most notable achievement has been creating and leading a “France-in-Black” course. This study abroad program explored the influence of African-American culture in France, examining figures such as Richard Wright, James Baldwin, and Josephine Baker. Building on this success, she developed “Black Atlas.” Black Atlas focused on the global impact of African and African American cultures beyond France and allowed students to explore other parts of the globe. Dr. Merrills’ role as principal investigator on grants has permitted her to internationalize curricula.

Mary D. Bruce earned the doctorate in Political Science from Wayne State University. Her dissertation, The Role of Journalists in Framing Newspaper Articles and Editorials on School Vouchers in Detroit, examined how journalists presented information regarding a public policy issue during a national election year. Dr. Bruce holds a Masters in Public Administration from Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan. After 20 years in state and local governmental and legislative relations, Dr. Bruce joined the Wayne State University faculty in September 2003, and the Governors State University faculty in August 2004. She has presented research papers at international, national and regional conferences, including: the National Academy of Public Administration, Global Business Development Institute, and the American Society for Public Administration. In June 2005, she presented a paper at the Fifth International Conference on Public management, Policy and Development: Best Practices in Public Policy and Development for the 21st Century in Dakar, Senegal.

The paper was entitled, The Role of Journalists in Framing News Stories about the Use and Availability of Anti-retroviral Drugs for HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. She co-authored two articles, one is entitled: Workplace Violence: Awareness, Prevention and Response which is published in the International Public Management Association for Human Resources. The second is entitled, Roadside Markets and Poverty Alleviation: A Case of Roadside Markets in Uganda. In the summer of 2013 Dr. Bruce presented a paper on Framing and Agenda Setting in Windhoek, Namibia, Africa.

Dr. Bruce is an experienced professor. She has taught for Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She has state governmental and public policy experience which includes: working as a legislative analyst for Governor James J. Blanchard, State of Michigan as a research data specialist for the Michigan Department of Management and Budget. She also worked as researcher and writer for the Michigan Department of Labor and the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. She has procured more than $160,000 in research grants to study community-based programs and evaluation of substance abuse prevention programs. Dr. Bruce served on the Board for Access to Care and as Chair of the Marketing Sub-committee for Strategic Planning.

Dr. Bruce is the sub-committee chair for strategic planning for the Consortium of International Management Policy and Development (CIMPAD). She has facilitated strategic planning trainings for municipalities and non-profit organizations. Dr. Bruce is an international scholar. She served as a visiting professor in Uganda. She also visited China along with several graduate students from the College of Business and Public Administration at Governors State in the summer of 2012. Dr. Bruce’s research focuses on public policy issues, strategic/community planning, human resource management, and media/politics. Dr. Bruce has served as the Chair of the Faculty Development Advisory Council at GSU. She brings a wealth of practical work and international experience in the public sector which enhances her ability to teach students from diverse backgrounds in an academic environment who are interested and/or curious about the field of public administration.

Dr. Peggy Valentine is Dean and Professor of the School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State University. Her clinical experiences include registered nurse and physician assistant. She received the Doctor of Education Degree from Virginia Tech, the Master of Arts Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree from Howard University. She was honored as “Educator of the Year” by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and elected Fellow in the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions.

Dr. Valentine is the co-founder of the North Carolina Alliance for Health Professions Diversity. She established the Journal of Best Practices in Health Professions Diversity and has served as Editor-in-Chief since its inception in 2007. She is the immediate past Chair of Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary Community-based Linkages of Health Resource Service Administration Health. She serves on the board of trustees for Novant Medical Group, board of directors for the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions and the National Society of Allied Health.

She is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary, Winston-Salem. She has served as General Chair and President for the Consortium on International Management Policy and Development. In 2017, the Chronicle Newspaper of Winston-Salem honored her as Woman of the Year.

Dr. Samuel Brown

Dr. William Anong

Dr. William Anong is an Associate Professor and Program Director for Medical Laboratory Science at Morgan State University (MSU). Before coming to MSU, he was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Science at Winston Salem State University. He holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University and an MBA in Healthcare Management. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Chemist (NRCC), Specialist in Chemistry (ASCP) & Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP). He has broad expertise in clinical laboratory testing and management. He is also a consulting clinical laboratory director and technical expert for startup immunoassay and toxicology labs. Dr Anong currently serves as a subject matter expert on an LEAD project with the CDC/APHL to enhance laboratory workforce. He has led clinical labs through successful COLA inspection and certification. Dr. Anong’s research, scholarly presentations, and publications focuses on electrolyte disorders, red cells protein studies, and optimizing clinical laboratory Standard Operating Procedures. Dr. Anong is a reviewer for several journals, including the Journal of Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Science Journal. He holds membership in several professional organizations. He served as State President (2019/2020) for the North Carolina State Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and represented the state as a delegate to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science national meetings.

John E. Saunders, III is Executive Director for the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), headquartered in Washington, D.C. The NFBPA is a national professional membership association dedicated to the advancement of Black leadership in the public sector. Founded in 1983, the NFBPA is the nation’s premier association of Black public leadership with over 2,700 members representing more than 350 jurisdictions, in 40 states. NFBPA provides intensive training and professional development programs and access to its powerful network of national Black public leadership representing virtually every discipline in state and local government.

Mr. Saunders earned his B.A. in Business Administration from Central State University (Ohio) and a master’s degree in Human Service Administration from Lincoln University (Pennsylvania). His additional training includes completion of executive management programs at LaSalle College, the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School and Duke University. Mr. Saunders holds a Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives, is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum.

Mr. Saunders began his career as a credit and financial analyst with Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. He served with the US Army in both Vietnam and Germany. His career with the National Urban League began in 1976 where he specialized in employment and training programs until being appointed Senior Vice President in 1978. Mr. Saunders was President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Hartford from 1983 to 1988. In 1988, Mr. Saunders was appointed Deputy Labor Commissioner for the State of Connecticut, a position he held until 1997. In that capacity he provided overall coordination of the state’s programs of education and training for employment, led the successful reorganization of the state’s governance and operational delivery systems for employment services, and administered the state’s employment security services including substantial involvement in Connecticut’s welfare reform efforts.

Mr. Saunders has a long history of extensive involvement in various community and civic activities. A few of his current activities include: Consortium for International Management Policy and Development; National Academy of Public Administration – International Standing Panel, Social Equity Panel, and Africa Working Group; National Urban Fellows, Inc.; Tuscan Brotherhood Homes, Inc.; and American Leadership Forum. Mr. Saunders is the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Briarwood College and a member of the Bachelor Benedict Club and Tuscan Lodge No. 17, F.& A.M., PH.

Mr. Clifford Sykes

Clifford received both a BA Degree in Music Education and a BS Degree in Mass Communication from Lincoln University of Missouri, the MA Degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) as a student of Dr. Portia Maultsby, and he has done extensive work toward the PhD. in Ethnomusicology (African American Musics) from the University
of Pittsburgh where he studied with Nigerian Chief Fela Sowande, Dr. Nathan Davis and Dr. Kwabena Nketia of Ghana West Africa. Clifford has an extensive (40 years) career as an educator in the Public Schools of Missouri, and Michigan (Detroit, Pontiac and Flint) where he has served as Band Director, Department Head (Music), Lead Teacher for Fine Arts, Assistant to the Supervisor, and on Curriculum Development Committees.

His Middle school and High School Concert, Jazz and Marching Bands have traveled extensively winning many awards. Clifford received Teaching Fellowships from Teach With Africa and Global Teachers Institute for four years to teach in the LEAP Science and Maths Schools in South Africa, Co teaching and developing best practices with South African Teachers. Clifford is an experienced Thespian, having acted in numerous stage plays and movies throughout his career, most notably (as an Extra) in ‘Real Steel’ (2011) and ‘OZ The Great and Powerful’ (2013). Clifford is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., he is Treasurer for The Association for the Study of African Life and History (ASALH), and is a charter member of his Community Block Club in Flint, Michigan. He is the Coordinator for Educational Programs and serves as a member of The New McCree Theater Repertory Group and teaches Music and Theater Classes in after school programs at New McCree. Clifford A. Sykes is a Teacher, Lecturer, World Traveler, Actor, Musician, Photographer/Videographer, a Lover of Knowledge, African and World History, Documentaries and The Power of MUSIC.

Ms. Bella Hanson

Ms. Desiree Williams-Rajee

Ms. Keneshia Jackson

Ms. Marcia Conner

Marcia L. Conner is the Executive Director of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, (NFBPA). Ms. Conner oversees all aspects of the organization , including membership, fund development, and program and public policy initiatives and the implementation of the organization’s strategic direction , and guides the organization’s signature Mentor and Executive Leadership Institute. She also focuses on expanding and developing new opportunities within the broad vision of leading “community outreach” and organizational efforts dedicated to the advancement of the “next generation of Black public administrators.”

With over 20-years of experience in the public sector, Ms. Conner has first-hand knowledge in navigating the complexities of public service. Prior to becoming Executive Director, she served as a City Manager, Town Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Budget Director for various local and county governments. Additionally, Ms. Conner has owned and operated MLC Consulting, and has provided consulting services to the government and non-profit sectors since 2004.

Ms. Conner received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Talladega College, and a Masters in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati. She also holds a Certificate in Government Finance from the University of Wisconsin and a Certificate in Creative Place Making from Rutgers University. She is an alumna of Leadership Texas, Leadership Austin, and Leadership Washington.

Currently, Ms. Conner is a member of the Advisory Board of the National Civic League, Board Member of Consortium of International Management Policy and Development (CIMPAD), a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and the Association Society of Association Executives (ASAE). In 2020, Marcia became a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administrators. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority where she has held many leadership positions.

Rev. Ricky McKinney, Pastor

Sylvester Murray is a Professor of Urban Studies and Public Administration. Mr. Murray’s specialties are budgeting, urban administration and management. He is a former city manager of San Diego, California, Cincinnati, Ohio, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Inkster, Michigan. He was also manager of government consulting at Coopers & Lybrand, CPA, in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Murray has served as President of the American Society for Public Administration and the International City Management Association.

He received a B.A. in history from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, an M.G.A. in governmental administration from the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.A. in economics from Eastern Michigan University. Mr. Murray is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and a Board Member of the National Civic League.