DR. JAMES A. ANDERSON

Dr. James A. Anderson received a B.A. degree at Villanova University (PA) and a Ph.D. at Cornell University (NY). At Villanova, he also served on the Board of Trustees for 10 years (2000-2010). At Cornell, he was one of the earliest African American graduate students to receive a doctoral degree in psychology.

Anderson served as chancellor and professor of psychology at Fayetteville State University from 2008 until his retirement in 2019. Currently, he sits on the Board of Trustees of Bennett College, one of only two HBCU’s for women. Anderson previously served as a vice president and associate provost at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany; a vice president and associate provost at Texas A&M University; a dean and associate provost at North Carolina State University; professor of psychology and director of the Benjamin E. Mays Academy of Scholars at Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and, department chair and associate professor of Psychology at Xavier University in New Orleans.

Anderson’s research has focused on the creation of teaching/learning models that promote success in the classroom among students who are diverse at varied educational levels. He has consulted with over 200 colleges and universities on issues related to strategic planning, assessment, student success, retention, and teaching effectiveness, and has been a keynote speaker at many major conferences. Anderson has conducted accreditation site visits for SACSCOC at several universities including five HBCU’s.

Anderson serves as the co-director of the Advisory Board that is working to establish the NC Civil War and Reconstruction History Center that will be in Fayetteville, NC. He is also a member of the Board of the NC Justice Center. His publication record is extensive and includes articles, book chapters, and two books. Anderson has also received numerous national awards.