Spelman College News August 11, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact(s) : Terrilyn Simmons (404) 270-5822 tsimmons8@spelman.edu DR. CARMEN SIDBURY NAMED ASSOCIATE PROVOST FOR RESEARCH AT SPELMAN COLLEGE Carmen Sidbury, Ph.D., has been named associate provost for Research and Resources at Spelman College, effective August 22, 2011. Formerly an associate dean of undergraduate studies at the College, Sidbury will be responsible for developing multidisciplinary collaborations, and securing opportunities and resources to support research initiatives for faculty and students. "I am very excited about joining the array of faculty, staff, and administrators who are committed to 'The Spelman Way: Nothing Less Than the Best'," said Sidbury. "The Office of Research and Resources provides vital resources to support this culture on campus and to ensure that the priorities of the strategic plan are implemented. I look forward to sharing in this important work as we seek to achieve sustainable excellence at Spelman College." For the last two years, Sidbury has been on loan to the National Science Foundation serving as a Program Director for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program which aims to ensure the vitality and diversity of the U.S. science and engineering workforce. In this position, she was responsible for all aspects of the program including developing the Engineering Innovation Fellowship Program. Sidbury joined Spelman in 2007 as an associate dean, coordinating academic support services for sophomores and juniors. She also led the development of the Sophomore Year Experience course which addresses topics such as strengthening research skills and leadership development. "We are certainly pleased that Dr. Sidbury is returning to Spelman in this new role," said Johnnella E. Butler, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. "Her broad experience and understanding of the importance of the arts, humanities, and social sciences, as well as the STEM disciplines in the education of the whole student will guide our teaching and research to additional levels of excellence." Prior to joining Spelman, Sidbury was an assistant dean in the College of Engineering at the University of Washington, Seattle, where she managed programs designed to recruit, retain and support diverse pools of undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of engineering and science. She has also worked at leading corporations such as Lucent Technologies and Luxcore Networks, Inc. She has written, published and presented research findings at national conferences and is a member of several organizations including the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Association, National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. Sidbury earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. In 1995, she became the first African-American female to earn a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Butler summed up Sidbury's appointment, "She is a seasoned professional with flexibility and adaptability rooted in a broad experience base. She has developed strong relationships with local and national programs, serving as a diversity champion, and has contributed significantly to the Spelman community. She will certainly be an inspiring role model and mentor for our students." ### Spelman College: Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a prestigious, highly selective, liberal arts college that prepares women to change the world. Located in Atlanta, Ga., this historically black college boasts an 83 percent graduation rate, and outstanding alumnae such as Children's Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman; former U.S. Foreign Service Director General Ruth Davis, authors Tina McElroy Ansa and Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson. More than 83 percent of the full-time faculty members have Ph.D.s or other terminal degrees, and the average faculty to student ratio is 12:1. More than 2,100 students attend Spelman. For more information, visit: www.spelman.edu. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.