Doneka Scott

Bio

Doneka R. Scott is the vice chancellor and dean for the Division of Academic and Student Affairs at NC State University. She leads a division dedicated to preparing students to succeed academically, professionally and personally, to embrace a commitment to lifelong learning and to become informed, engaged and productive citizens.

Scott joined NC State in 2021 after serving as the associate vice provost and associate dean for student success, then as the vice provost for undergraduate education and student success at the University of Oregon. There she was responsible for the overall strategy and execution of undergraduate education and student success efforts on campus. She worked to eliminate institutional barriers that prohibit students from being successful and inhibit them from completing a degree program in a timely manner.

With the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, Scott manages the seamless integration of all aspects of undergraduate education, serves as a key strategic advisor to the provost and works to support the success of the whole student. Working closely with the Chancellor’s Cabinet, college deans, university faculty and administrative colleagues, she leads all aspects of an innovative and coordinated delivery of student services.

Scott directs staff and resources to maximize impact on the curricular and co-curricular programs of the university, including the programs and services of University College; academic advising; academic enrichment programs; Exploratory Studies; cross-college interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary programs; advising technology; Health and Exercise Studies; Music; undergraduate courses, curricula and academic standards; Arts NC State (NC State LIVE, Crafts Center, Dance Program, Gregg Museum, University Theatre and Ticket Central); academic success programs; business administration, residential programs and engagement; and student development, health and wellness. In addition to these areas, Scott also oversees the Office of Academic Support Programs for Student-Athletes; assessment; development; student ombuds; and marketing and communications for the division.

A toxicologist and emergency medicine practitioner by training, Scott received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She received a Master of Arts in higher and postsecondary education, also from the University of Michigan. She also holds a secondary appointment as a professor of practice in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy and Human Development in the College of Education.

As an educational researcher, Scott’s overarching scholarly agenda focused on student success. She is profoundly interested in the interplay of race and culture in student experiences in higher education and in the practice of pharmacy from the perspective of both the practitioner and the patient. Conceptually, she operationalized her student success research into two distinct but complementary foci: 1) understanding student experiences and success indicators, spanning the continuum from pre‐pharmacy to graduation with a particular emphasis on access, retention, and progression of underrepresented students, and 2) uncovering the role practitioner implicit and explicit biases may contribute to ongoing disparate health care outcomes for minoritized populations. Scott views her work as praxis for ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for underrepresented students’ success, and for developing appropriate curricula to educate students on how to work successfully with diverse communities, thereby mitigating health disparities.

Additionally, Scott has taught multiple courses in toxicology, health disparities, cultural competency, research methodology and leadership. Her own research has been published in the field through peer-reviewed articles, essays, textbooks and other notable peer-reviewed publications, including the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, and others. She has explored topics like diversity and inclusivity in academia, social media use by pharmacy professionals, drug abuse and dangerous misuse of common products, and how pharmacists can help underserved communities.

Scott currently serves on the boards of the Reinvention Collaborative and the Eugene Symphony Orchestra. Her professional affiliations have included the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Educational Research Association, Association for the Study of Higher Education, American Pain Society, American Pharmacists Association, Minnesota Pharmacists Association, Pi Lambda Theta International Honors Society, Association of Black Women in Higher Education and the League of American Orchestras.