Update to University Leadership Changes

Dear members of the UDC community,

It is with great pleasure that I announce, welcome and congratulate the following appointees to University leadership positions.

On September 12, the UDC Board of Trustees approved the following University leadership appointments:

April Massey, Ph.D., has been appointed Interim Chief Academic Officer (CAO).

Massey has served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UDC since 2014, focusing on three key areas: career development, student experience and aligning the two to guide college and University effectiveness metrics.

Massey is a trained speech-language pathologist devoted to academia and student advancement. She obtained degrees from The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati and Howard University.

The University will maintain seamless academic affairs under Massey’s leadership. In tandem, plans will be made to launch a national search for UDC’s next CAO.

Jeffery Fleming, Ph.D., has been appointed Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).

Fleming most recently served as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences at UDC, where he supported the Dean in overseeing the development, administration and enhancement of academic programs. Fleming also has served as Chair of the Division of Sciences and Mathematics, Special Assistant to the Dean for Budget and Infrastructure, Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Associate Professor of Mathematics at UDC.

Fleming obtained a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics and Master of Arts in religious studies from Howard University.

Trelaunda Beckett-Jones, Ed.D., has been appointed Interim Chief of Student Development and Success.

Beckett-Jones has more than two decades of experience in higher-education administration, vocational rehabilitation, counseling, educational leadership, and health and wellness. She has worked at UDC for 17 years, most recently as the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students for the Division of Student Development and Success at UDC. Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the Chief Student Development and Success Officer, Student Activity Specialist and Disability Counselor.

Beckett-Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Fisk University and a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from Bowie State University.

As we continue this leadership transition, I plan to be forthcoming and transparent with all our stakeholders: students, faculty, staff and the greater DC community. Let’s work together to make UDC a top destination for academic excellence, research and innovation.

Sincerely,  

Maurice D. Edington, Ph.D.
President 
University of the District of Columbia