Donna L. Adair
Institutions Served
Since 2000, Donna has served at the following universities:
New Jersey City University
Interim Provost
Dean, Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
West Virginia University
Asso. Professor, Curriculum Studies, Coordinator Ed.D. Program
Ashland University
Dean
Dwight Schar College of Education
Georgia State University
Assistant and Associate Professor, Educational Leadership, Coordinator of Master's and Doctoral programs
Missouri State University
Dept. Head & Professor, Childhood Education and Family Studies
Illinois State University
Assistant Professor
Graduate Curriculum Studies
Administrative Experience in Universities
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Provost 3.5 years
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Dean 6.5 years
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Department Chair 3 years
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Program Coordinator 6 years
Strategic Leadership
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Developed NJCU Academic Master Plan and Strategic Enrollment Plan
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Facilitated institutional budget realignment based upon strategic plans
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Developed revitalized plan for NJCU library
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Developed strategic process for identifying new faculty positions at NJCU
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Charged direct reports with strategic planning implementation at NJCU
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Led Ashland COE in strategic planning process
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Restructured resources at Ashland to better align college with strategic plan
Leading with Partnerships and Relationships
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Worked AFT union to support and retain faculty during fiscal exigency
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Worked with AFT union to revise criteria for faculty reappointment, tenure, and promotion
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Worked with AFT leadership to develop retirement incentive package
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Re-established relationship between A Harry Moore and the university following PR incidents
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Developed partnership with Jersey City Public resulting in $1 million revenue for 2025/2026
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Provided professional development on conflict and communication for NJCU dual enrollment instructors
Leadership in Enrollment and Retention
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Supervised redesign of general education curriculum
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Produced a 27.31% increase in graduate enrollment and a 26.45% increase in undergraduate enrollment from Spring 2023 to Spring 2024
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Produced a 67% increase in new freshmen, 17% increase in new transfer students, 16% increase in new graduate enrollment, and a 4.3% conversion from part-time to full-time student status from Spring 2024 to Spring 2025
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Shifted marketing and recruiting strategies to an ROI model
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Supervised expansion of international academic partnerships
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Developed new position that resulted in reduction of students on probation by 67%
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Reestablished Writing Center and supervised the restructuring of tutoring and academic support
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Worked with CFO to increase out-of-state applicants by 40% and international applicants 30% with one tuition rate
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Worked with CFO to include textbooks as part of tuition
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Worked with CFO and deans to establish a guaranteed schedule and increase ratio of full time students
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​Supervising the development of pathway partnerships between NJCU and multiple community colleges
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Developed graduate enrollment initiative that resulted in $900,00 revenue growth Summer 2019 and $1.2 million in Summer 2020: Summer Institute (ashlandsummer.com)
Leading in Crisis and Change
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Worked with Kean University Leadership to merge institutions
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Developed and implemented deliberative process for academic rightsizing based upon mission, market, and margins
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Worked with another State university to create completion pathway for students in a sunsetted doctoral program
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Developed and implemented selection process for interim president
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Developed communication plan and oversaw development of teach-out plans for 99 sunsetted academic programs
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Managed registration and communication challenges during a sustained period of institutional systems shutdown caused by a cyber-attack
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Addressed accreditation issues, student support, and developed system to support state monitoring of Ashland University