E. Cheryl Ponder Named Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advocacy, Inclusion and Support Programs for SACL

Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor of student affairs and campus life (SACL), has announced that E. Cheryl Ponder has joined SACL as the Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advocacy, Inclusion and Support Programs.

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Ponder previously served as the vice president for Student Affairs at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. As vice president she provided leadership, management and supervision for a comprehensive array of student services and departments including: admissions, recruitment and retention, academic advising, counseling and career services, student activities, student conduct and discipline, counseling, accessibility services, career services and TRIO programs.

Ponder is an equity champion committed to supporting organizations to be diverse, inclusive, and equitable. She is known for her ability to work with authentically and empathetically with students and staff. A core focus of her leadership is developing collaborative relationships that create and sustain meaningful engagement aligned with core values.

Most recently Ponder was a fellow in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Oklahoma (OU). While at OU, she was instrumental in founding the annual SOUL conference (Sisters of OU Learning/Living/Loving/Leading) to create community and professional development opportunities for African and African American OU students, faculty, staff and alumni. In 2018, she was the chair of the National Council for Black Studies National Conference.

She has earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Oklahoma, a master’s in business administration from Clark Atlanta University, and a bachelor’s in political science and history from Dillard University.