THE DEANS PLAYBOOK
our story
The Deans Playbook captures the collective wisdom, experiences, and insights of former and long-serving business deans across our HBCU community. These leaders have served with purpose—navigating complex challenges, forging strategic partnerships, and continuously elevating business education. This playbook serves as a foundational guide to equip, inspire, and pass the torch to the next generation of incoming business deans.
The project was initiated in 2026 by Dr. Anthony Wilbon, Immediate Past President of the HBCU Business Deans Roundtable and Dean of the School of Business at Howard University.
Interviews
Dr. Shawnta Friday - Stroud
Former Dean, School of Business and Industry and Professor, Florida A&M University
- Serving 14 years as FAMU’s Business Dean while leading university advancement, Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud offers expertise in strategic institutional growth. Her career centers on expanding student access, securing major corporate philanthropy, and maintaining key partnerships. In The Deans Playbook, she shares practical approaches to purpose-driven leadership, building teams, and executing advancement strategies.
Dr. Fidelis Ikem
Dean, College of Business and Professor,
Jackson State University
- Dr. Fidelis Ikem leads with a commitment to continuous academic innovation and student-centered curriculum development. His tenure as Dean highlights bridging academic programs with real-world workforce demands for graduate success. In his featured insights, Dr. Ikem details strategies for building faculty consensus, navigating change, and fostering a culture of shared purpose.
Dr. JoAnn Rolle
Former Dean, School of Business,
Medgar Evers College, City University of New York
- Dr. JoAnn Rolle is an economist, global speaker, and champion for economic empowerment through education. Throughout her decadelong deanship in Brooklyn, she established experiential learning labs and expanded global business networks for underrepresented students. Her contributions to The Deans Playbook focus on empowering community ecosystems, preparing students for the future of work, and leading with equity.
Dr. Edward Davis
Former Dean, School of Business and Professor,
Clark Atlanta University
- Dr. Ed Davis represents decades of impactful higher education leadership, guiding business programs through pivotal institutional transitions. Known for his commitment to academic rigor and faculty development, Dr. Davis offers foundational perspectives on sustaining operational excellence. His reflections provide incoming deans clear guidance on transparent faculty relationships, maintaining high standards, and steering complex academic units.
Dr. Barron Harvey
Dean Emeritus, School of Business and Associate Provost, Howard University
- Across a 26-year tenure as Howard University’s Business Dean, Dr. Barron Harvey]transformed the institution into a premier national power, pioneering AACSB accreditations. As co-founder of the National HBCU Business Deans Roundtable, he dedicated his career to building frameworks for minority business education. In The Deans Playbook, Dr. Harvey shares strategies on major gift fundraising, executive leadership, and creating legacies.
Dr. Donald Andrews
Dean, College of Business,
Southern University and A&M College
- Dr. Donald Andrews brings decades of visionary administrative leadership focused on regional economic development and student mobility. His approach emphasizes aligning business education with industry needs to open doors for graduates. Within The Deans Playbook, Dr. Andrews outlines how new deans can build faculty trust, bridge communication gaps, and establish financial support through donor stewardship.
Dr. Benjamin Newhouse
Former Dean, School of Business and Information Science, Tuskegee University
- Dr. Benjamin Newhouse offers a unique perspective at the intersection of business strategy, technology, and institutional governance. His leadership at Tuskegee University highlights modernizing curricula for technological shifts while preserving historic values. In his playbook interviews, Dr. Newhouse shares candid wisdom on collaborative problem-solving, navigating administrative challenges, and positioning academic programs for future generations.