Ann L. Wead Kimbrough is the new dean for the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication and Robert W. Taylor is the new dean for the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences.
“We are proud to announce the appointment of two new deans who will lead our journalism and agriculture programs,” said FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson. “We made the decision after conducting a national search and believe that we have appointed individuals who are leaders in their fields and will produce graduates who will contribute greatly to the fields of journalism, agriculture and food science.”
Kimbrough currently serves as the senior administrator of Webster University’s two largest Arkansas graduate campuses. Webster University is an accredited, 97-year-old non-profit, top-tier global university. She is also a visiting professor at the Arkansas Baptist College instructing students in the areas of global communications, entrepreneurship, marketing, ethics, and sustainability strategies.
Kimbrough has been an advisor to a student newspaper, faculty sponsor, grant writer, fundraiser, faculty liaison to the university’s president’s office, internship coordinator, limited time manager of university relations, and a tutor.
As a faculty member, Kimbrough has led courses in basic journalism, financial journalism, public relations, strategic communications, international business and cross-cultural communications. She has served as the chief of staff to the chief executive officer of DeKalb County Government (Ga.) where she successfully launched a countywide public awareness and educational campaign for successful passage of a $250 million bond referendum. In addition, she is a veteran, award-winning journalist. She received her bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga.; a master’s degree in financial journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.; and a doctor of business administration (DBA) in international business from Argosy University in Atlanta, Ga.
Taylor has served in various capacities such as the director of NSF/CREST Center for Forest Ecosystems Assessment; professor of Soil and Environmental Chemistry and director of the Center for Environmental Research and Training at Alabama A&M University; and acting deputy division director for Biological Infrastructure, Division of Biological Infrastructure at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia. He currently serves on the National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension and Economics Advisory Board.
As a faculty member, Taylor has taught various undergraduate, graduate, and dual level courses. He also has published more than 50 papers in professional journals. He received his bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Ala. and a master’s degree in soil microbiology and a doctorate (Ph.D.) in soil chemistry from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.