Dr. Rondall E. Allen has been picked by President Heidi M. Anderson to be the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s next chief academic policymaker.
Allen will move into the role of provost and vice president for academic affairs this summer when Dr. Nancy Niemi leaves the post to become president of Framingham (Mass.) State University.
“I am thrilled to have someone with his energy, enthusiasm and experience on our leadership team,” Anderson said in an announcement across the UMES campus.
Allen joined the UMES faculty in July 2015 as Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions and currently holds the title of interim vice president for strategic initiatives, a presidential-cabinet position created in October 2021.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the next Chief Academic Officer for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore,” Allen said. “I look forward to serving and collaborating with the faculty and staff as we endeavor to ensure the success of all of our students”
Before coming to UMES, Allen was associate dean for academic quality at South University School of Pharmacy in Savannah, Ga.
He also served in several administrative roles during his time at Xavier University of Louisiana’s College of Pharmacy, including director of experiential education, assistant dean for program assessment and associate dean for student affairs.
Allen earned his Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from Florida A&M University, Doctor of Pharmacy from Xavier University of Louisiana and is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. He is a graduate of the Academic Leadership Fellows Program, the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education and the Millennium Leadership Institute.
Anderson noted Allen previously served as UMES’ acting provost … and “has proven his ability to lead in turbulent times – the loss of accreditation of the Physician Assistant (PA) program in 2015 – and in more celebratory times – the launch of the new PA Program in 2020 and soon, the opening” of a new pharmacy and health professions building featuring classrooms and research labs.
“It will be my privilege to partner with President Anderson, the faculty and the entire community as we seek dynamic solutions and collaborative partnerships for the future of UMES,” Allen said.
Since last fall, Allen has been guiding implementation of UMES’ strategic plan as well as developing and delivering initiatives that represent the university’s current priorities. The latter includes crafting effective student-retention strategies, identifying the university’s niche in the 21st century higher education landscape, expanding digital learning as well as degree programs, and exploring new ways to help students find career success.
“Dr. Allen is engaging, a careful listener, and is deeply respectful of the views of others,” Anderson said. “His demonstrated commitments to academic quality, diversity and inclusion, and creativity will serve UMES well.”
Anderson said Allen stood out in a national pool of applicants following a three-month search coordinated by Dr. Robert Mock, her chief of staff.
“Dr. Allen’s experience, strong leadership at renowned institutions, and (his) role as a thought leader made him the clear choice,” Anderson said. “I look forward to working with him to continue our growth and progress as a premier public HBCU.”
