Virginia Union University Appoints Dr. Sharonda Ragland as Acting Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences

November 04, 2024

Virginia Union University is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Sharonda Ragland as the Acting Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences, marking a significant step in our commitment to academic excellence. 

"Our vision toward greatness is expanding," stated Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, President and CEO of Virginia Union University. "We celebrate the leadership of Dr. Ragland, whose extensive contributions to VUU have already advanced our mission of developing scholars, leaders, and lifelong learners within a global society. Her dedication exemplifies our strive to be Best in Class." 

Dr. Ragland brings over 27 years of dedicated service in the education sector to her new role. Previously, she served as the Assistant Dean for VUU Undergraduate Studies in the School of Arts and Sciences in 2019. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and the Interim Chair of Mass Communications, having previously held the position of Chair of Mathematics at VUU from 2017 to 2018. 

Dr. Ragland holds a Master of Educational Specialist degree with a concentration in Higher Education and is on track to complete her doctoral studies in Fall 2023. Her dissertation, titled Investigating the Impact of Spiritual Formation on Academic Achievement of African American Single-Mother Students at an HBCU: A Phenomenological Analysis, reflects her commitment to understanding and enhancing student success. Additionally, she has received a certificate of appreciation for her contributions to Dr. Beechaum's awarded grant and co-authored the book chapter Toward a Solutions Approach to the Problem of Black Underrepresentation in STEM. 

In her new capacity as Acting Dean, Dr. Ragland is committed to advancing the development of scholars, leaders, and lifelong learners through quality faculty and a nurturing, spiritually enriched learning environment. Her leadership is poised to make a lasting impact on the academic community at Virginia Union University.