Shaw University News June 1, 2015 Shaw University Introduces Dr. Tashni Dubroy as President Shaw University's Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Joseph N. Bell introduced at a press conference today, Dr. Tashni Dubroy as Shaw's 17th president. Dubroy, a Shaw graduate, is the third alumnus, third female and the second youngest person to serve as Shaw's president. Her appointment is effective August 1, 2015. "We wanted a proven leader, a seasoned academic, but most importantly, we sought an individual with business acumen who could merge the qualities of excellence in higher education with the professionalism of the board room," said Shaw University Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Joseph N. Bell, Jr. "These qualities were more than evident in Dr. Dubroy, and we are delighted and excited to witness what Dr. Dubroy will not only do for our University, but for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community." Dubroy, 34, began her career as a research scientist at BASF, the world's leading chemical company. She quickly ascended the ranks, receiving two promotions in two years. She served as a global technology analyst and procurement manager at the company, where she managed a strategic sourcing budget of $35 million. Following her tenure at BASF, Dubroy was hired by her alma mater in 2011, where she served as an associate professor of chemistry and later the department chair of Shaw's department of natural sciences and mathematics. As a professor and department chair, Dubroy managed the department's $1.2 million budget, supervised 25 faculty members and mentored 22 undergraduate students as part of the Shaw in Jamaica international research project funded by the National Institutes of Health. In 2014, Dubroy was promoted and became a member of Shaw's administrative team as the special assistant to the president for process optimization. In this role, she was responsible for increasing efficiency and reducing cost through a detailed analysis of the University's operations to achieve quantifiable improvement and growth across all campus departments. Desiring to pursue her dream as a business owner, Dubroy co-founded Tea and Honey Blends in 2009, a hair care company that manufactures and retails natural hair care products. She later opened the Element Beauty Bar, a hair salon located in downtown Raleigh. Passionate about the community, science and education, Dubroy founded the Brilliant and Beautiful Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring women in science. Each summer, the foundation hosts a SMART Scholars workshop at North Carolina State University's Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, where middle school girls make personal care products and market them to a team of judges. "I have built my reputation on my ability to do, to listen, to lead and to create diverse and inclusive teams," said Dr. Dubroy. "Our strategy will be non-traditional, innovative and dynamic and I look forward to leading my alma mater in the next phase of our journey." Dubroy is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. In 2012, the United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) National Alumni Council presented her with an "Outstanding Young Alumni" award for her service to Shaw. In 2014, she was awarded the "Distinguished Alumni in Science Diversity" Award by North Carolina State University. Last year, The National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers honored Dubroy and her business partner for their work in science and Entrepreneurship, calling them "21st century visionary, entrepreneurial leaders, who are the New Chemists on the Block." Dubroy has received fellowship awards from the United Negro College Fund, National Science Foundation and the National Organization for Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, and is published in various scientific journals including the Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry. Cosmopolitan magazine recognized her as a "fun, fearless female," and she has been featured in both Money magazine and Bloomberg's BusinessWeek. Dubroy graduated summa cum laude from Shaw University in 2002, and earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. She earned a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry from North Carolina State University in 2007 and in 2010 she graduated with an MBA in marketing from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Dubroy is a member of the American Chemical Society and was nominated for membership in Sigma Xi, the Distinguished Chemical Society. A native of Jamaica, Dubroy is the daughter of Emerson and Greta Coote and is one of six siblings. She is married to Dale Dubroy and they have one child, daughter Marli-Jolie, age 6. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree 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.