March 16, 2012
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) President James H. Ammons announced several changes in his administration today.
“I have made major changes in my administration and have assigned members of my executive leadership team to areas where their skills and experience are needed the most,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons.
According to President Ammons, Larry Robinson, special assistant to the president, will assume the position of provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Cynthia Hughes Harris will assume the position of dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences. Barbara Mosley, who is currently dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences, will be reassigned to the position of associate dean in the school. In addition, Atty. Avery McKnight has been promoted to vice president for Legal Affairs and General Counsel and will acquire the departments of Risk Management, Labor Relations and Equal Opportunity Programs.
Robinson, who served as provost from 2003-2005, served briefly as chief operating officer in 2007, and also served as vice president for Research during President Ammons’ administration.
Robinson took a leave of absence from his position in May 2010 to serve as assistant secretary for Commerce for Conservation and Management at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Robinson supported and managed NOAA's coastal and marine programs, including marine sanctuaries for preserving areas of special national significance, fisheries management to sustain economic prosperity, and nautical charts for safe navigation. He also supported NOAA’s participation as a lead agency addressing the BP oil spill crisis and President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force. He returned to the campus as special assistant and professor on Nov. 21, 2011, and coordinated the administrative and eminent scholar searches, the integration of Graduate Studies and Title III programs with the Division of Sponsored Research, the reorganization of the administrative structure and matters related to the investigation of hazing at FAMU.
“I want to thank Dr. Hughes Harris for what she has accomplished during her tenure as provost,” said Ammons. “Under her leadership, we are closer to meeting our goals for Academic Affairs as outlined in our strategic plan.”
During Harris’ tenure as provost, she was responsible for establishing three new bachelor’s degree programs and four master’s degree programs. Under her administration, she established several certification programs, the STEM learning communities and FAMU’s first ever online degree programs. As provost, she also coordinated the academic restructuring of the university. During her tenure as dean of Allied Health Sciences, enrollment increased significantly in the school. Harris implemented the doctor of physical therapy, the master’s in occupational therapy and the bachelor’s in health science. While she served as dean, she also was the principal investigator for multiple grants, receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Florida.
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