Florida A&M University has removed three of its college deans. The move is part of an administrative shakeup touching the School of Journalism, College of Pharmacy and College of Education.
School of Journalism Dean Ann Kimbrough has been demoted to a professor with a nine-month contract starting May 5th. Her salary will remain unchanged until June 30th.
“I am also asking that you prepare a written and detailed transition report of all outstanding matters, as appropriate, to effect a smooth transition and continued efficient delivery of services within the School and the Division of Academic Affairs no later than May 5th,” said FAMU Provost Rodner Wright in a letter to Kimbrough dated May 1.
Kimbrough told the Tallahassee Democrat she “didn’t see it coming.”
She’s not the only department head that was removed Monday.
Similar notices were given to FAMU College of Pharmacy Dean Michael Thompson and College of Education Dean Traki Taylor.
Thompson has come under fire due to the low performance of pharmacy students on the board exams. This past year less than 60 percent of students passed the exam on the first try. In a year that saw passage rates decline nationally,FAMU's 59 percent passage rate marked a dramatic fall from its previous performance, landing the College of Pharmacy near the bottom of U.S. pharmacy schools.
The university has appointed three interim deans.
Seth Ablordeppey will once again serve as interim dean of the College of Pharmacy. Patricia Green-Powell will take over as interim dean of the College of Education, a post she held in 2012. Dhyana Ziegler will take over as interim dean of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.
*Updated at 7:56 p.m. with additional information.
