TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – During a recent meeting of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee, Provost Marcella David underscored the University’s commitment to not only ensuring a premier learning environment for its student body, but also a efficacious teaching environment for its faculty. The University’s focus in these areas includes the recent creation of a new associate provost for Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development position.
David announced that long-time administrator and tenured professor Genyne Henry Boston, Ph.D., will serve in this capacity. In her new role, Boston will provide leadership in ensuring academic and research excellence, as well as innovation in facilitating a learning environment of intellectual vibrancy, personal and social responsibility, success, and significance for both faculty and students.
“Faculty engagement is a high priority,” David said about creating the new role. “This alignment will allow us to provide better support to the FAMU community.”
Boston will also serve as the liaison for the provost and vice president for academic affairs for faculty recruitment and hiring, and coordinate faculty-related human resources functions, including representing Academic Affairs in the collective bargaining process. She will coordinate centralized orientation services for new faculty and faculty in transition; ensure that quality mentoring and development support are provided to faculty to enhance student learning and teaching in different modalities; serve as a liaison with administrators, faculty, and other constituents of the University; support and develop the research capacity and endeavors of faculty; and support execution of academic practices in alignment with the policies and academic goals of the University.
Commenting on her appointment and highlighting her passion for teaching and learning, Boston said, “I believe that everyone has a role to play in the success of our students. It is my goal to ensure that faculty members are equipped with information and resources to make a difference in the learning experience of FAMU students.”
A professor of English in the College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities, Boston received her doctorate from Florida State University and has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses. She has provided leadership as department chair, and served on and chaired a host of University, college, and departmental committees. Most recently, Boston served as the director of the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and provided leadership in establishing the new Teaching and Learning Center.
Boston’s appointment was effective July 8.
About FAMU
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is one of the largest single-campus historically Black colleges or universities in the nation. The University blends a strong research focus with a commitment to economic empowerment and community service.
The University was founded in 1887 as the State Normal School for Colored Students. Today, FAMU continues its mission to be a best-in-class, land-grant institution with a global reach that focuses on science, technology, research, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics.
FAMU contributes to a strong workforce by providing a high-quality, affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds.
What distinguishes Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University from other universities is its legacy of providing access to a high-quality, affordable education to many students who otherwise may never have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of getting a college degree. The CollegeNet and PayScale Social Mobility Index (SMI) have recognized FAMU for its commitment to providing pathways for social and economic mobility.
SMI ranks FAMU third among all colleges and universities in the nation for fostering social and economic opportunity. FAMU is also one of the top institutions for providing a high-quality education at an affordable price in Florida, according to The College Database (2013).
U.S. News & World Report lists FAMU as the nation’s top public historically Black college or university (HBCU) for 2015. The University was also recognized among the 2014 U.S. News & World Report “Best National Universities.” It is listed among The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” colleges.
