Delaware State University has a new Board of Trustees chair and for the first time in the school’s 126 years it’s a woman.
The Board of Trustees elected Dr. Wilma Mishoe to the post at its semi-annual retreat.
Mishoe, a member of the DSU board since 2015, is the daughter of the late Dr. Luna Mishoe, who served as Delaware State’s president from 1960 to 1987.
She also spent 3 decades as an administrator at Delaware Tech and served as an administrator and acting president at Wilberforce University in Ohio, one of the oldest historically black universities in the country.
“The truth is that there are not a lot of women in the country who have ever chaired a University Board of Trustees. At DSU, given who we are and what we represent in the way of equity, excellence and access, all I can say is 'It's about time'," said DSU's current president Harry Williams in a statement. "I am anxious to work even more closely with Dr. Mishoe and to learn from her experience and tremendous integrity."
Gov. John Carney (D) also hail the selection of Dr. Mishoe to lead DSU's Board, calling the Mishoe family's legacy unmatched.
"Like her Dad, Dr. Mishoe brings a wealth of experience and passion for preparing another generation of educated citizens. Her 35-year career as a senior administrator at Delaware Technical Community College and Wilmington College (now University) - as well as having been both a board member and acting president of Wilberforce University - gives her deep perspective and acumen and makes her an ideal partner for President Williams and his executive team,” said Carney in a statement.
DSU's Board of Trustees also elected Dr. Devona E. Williams as Vice Chairperson. Dr. Williams is founder of Goeins-Williams Associates, a 27-year management-consulting group and has served on DSU's board since 2011.