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Tuesday, July 8, 2025

CEHS Dean to Leave Longwood in June

CEHS Dean to Leave Longwood in June

 Dr. Deneese L. Jones, dean of the Longwood University College of Education and Human Services (CEHS), will leave the university come the end of the semester to assume the position of provost at Drake University. Jones, who will begin her duties at the Iowa university on June 1, was offered the position in mid-December.

As for who will replace Jones (a.k.a., Dr. Dee), Dr. Ken Perkins, interim vice president for academic affairs, will appoint who is going to fill the position, and it is expected that a national search for the new dean will begin next year.

Jones' departure is not sudden, but is instead part of a plan that has been in the works for decades. She said in an interview, "I've been a faculty member, an associate dean, a dean, [now] a provost … the next step is president. It's a long-term decision."

Jones told her employers of her aspirations when she took the position of CEHS dean in June 2005, promising she would keep her position for at least five years. After over six years at Longwood, she felt it was time to move on after she was appointed provost at Drake University. She added, "I'd like to be a university president before I retire, so it's the most appropriate move."

According to Drake University's website, the institution sought "a new provost who will provide academic leadership within an environment that includes a tradition of outstanding education in the liberal arts and sciences, strong graduate and professional programs and broad creative disciplinary program offerings." Jones claimed she would strive to achieve these goals. "It's not about me, it's about what their needs are," she said.

Jones said she started her time at Longwood with a vision. After speaking with members of the CEHS upon her arrival, she concluded that the faculty and staff had pride in the college but hoped it would improve overall.

The CEHS then decided on the sankofa, a Ghanaian bird, as a college-wide symbol. Jones explained, "[The symbol] means we embrace our past as we move forward in the future." Jones said the sankofa vision inspired the CEHS to create the five-year liberal studies program and her Sankofa Lecture Series, which Longwood's website describes as "a forum to discuss diverse ideas within the field of education today."

 Jones said she has projects, such as the governor-initiated summer lab school project and the five-year liberal studies program, which will close around the time she leaves. "Whoever walks in the door can bring a brand new vision and start new projects," said Jones.

While Jones is ready for her new position, she said she would remember her time at Longwood fondly. "My greatest accomplishments were the relationships that I built and the development of the people," she said. She said she had solid relationships with faculty, staff and students that she will miss when she is in Iowa. She added, "I'm sure I will develop other relationships, but I'll miss the personal ones."

Peggy Ward, administrative assistant to the dean, has held her position since 1999 and has worked with Jones throughout her term as dean. According to Ward, Jones will be remembered for her "encouragement of professional development." Ward has personally been able to attend several conferences and return to campus to present what she learned. She said Jones helped her come across "a lot of opportunities a typical secretarial position does not have."

As for Jones' successor, Ward said, "I would hope that they would continue the momentum that the college has; the excitement and the collaborative atmosphere that has grown throughout [Jones'] years [at the university]."

Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson, who was on the hiring committee that employed Jones, said Jones' "transformative leadership in the CEHS has elevated the bar and prestige of these signature programs at Longwood."

According to Pierson, "The academic prestige and planning initiative has benefited from [Jones'] visionary leadership." He said some of her most notable achievements were helping get the Teacher Prep program reaccredited and starting the Call Me MISTER program, which was designed to increase the amount of male teachers from diverse backgrounds.

Pierson said he hoped Jones' successor would continue the various programs she has improved and established. He added that an ideal successor would be "really committed to students, committed to promoting diversity on campus."

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