Since becoming president of Norfolk State University
(NSU) in July 1997, Dr. Marie V. McDemmond has transformed potentially
devastating challenges into abundant opportunities. In doing so, she has
positioned one of the nation's largest historically black universities
for the 21st century.
McDemmond's many accomplishments include a number of
firsts in her career. She is the first female president of NSU and the
first African-American woman to serve as president of a four-year university
in Virginia.
Prior to her presidency, McDemmond served as vice president
for finance at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and its seven campuses
and also chief operating officer. This distinction made her the first
African-American woman to be a chief financial officer in the Florida
State University System.
In addition, she was the first African-American and first
female president of the Southern Association of College and University Business
Officers.
Orphaned at the age of seven, McDemmond was nurtured by her
extended family and teachers, who taught her that she could accomplish anything.
The native of New Orleans, Louisiana, began her career as a public school teacher.
She received a bachelor's degree from Xavier University and went on to earn
a master's degree from the University of New Orleans and a doctorate from the
University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
"Those who succeed
have an obligation
to lift others as they climb."
At NSU, McDemmond has raised admissions standards to enable
the university to improve retention and graduation rates. She also has made
improvements to academic programs and advising to ensure student success. She
has established new management standards, made internal budget reallocations
and salary adjustments for faculty, provided funding for new programs, expanded
fundraising efforts and initiated new marketing strategies.
McDemmond is a board member for the United Way and Urban League
in Hampton Roads. A recipient of many awards and honors, McDemmond was awarded
the Pioneer Award by the Outstanding Professional Women of Hampton Roads and
was selected Administrator of the Year by the Virginia Association of Educational
Office Professionals. Most recently, she was appointed by U.S. President George
W. Bush to the Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The university president challenges today's youth: "Those
who succeed have an obligation to lift others as they climb."
