Shatrela Washington-Hubbard appointed interim dean of College of Business & Communication

Shatrela Washington-HubbardPh.D.

The Brenau University Provost’s Office announced on Thursday, June 3, the appointment of Shatrela Washington-Hubbard to serve as interim dean of the College of Business & Communication during the 2021-22 academic year. Washington-Hubbard currently serves as program director and assistant professor of human resource management at Brenau.

In her interim dean role, Washington-Hubbard will collaborate with faculty within the college during this time of transition. She will also work closely with the assistant vice president for academic affairs on efforts related to the university’s enrollment management partnership with Ruffalo Noel Levitz and the successful reaffirmation of the College by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. In addition, Washington-Hubbard will assist the provost during the search for a permanent dean.

Suzanne Erickson, who retires as dean of the College of Business & Communication in August, said Washington-Hubbard came to Brenau with extensive administrative experience and was able to make an immediate and meaningful impact.

“She jumped right in and took control of redoing all the graduate and undergraduate HR classes, hiring new adjuncts, advising over 60 advisees, establishing relationships with professional organizations for the students and setting up a social media group for the HR students,” Erickson said. “She is the most self-motivated, organized and humble faculty member with whom I have ever worked.

“While doing all of that, she has continued to work on research, winning the runner-up for best presentation at the Region 3 ACBSP conference last year. She is calm, steady, and will be a great interim dean. I couldn’t be happier for her willingness, once again, to jump in and help.”

During her tenure at Brenau, Washington-Hubbard reestablished the Society for Human Resource Management academic alignment for the undergraduate and graduate human resource management programs. Additionally, she established Brenau as a recertification provider for SHRM. Her work also led to academic alignment with the Human Resources Certification Institute for the undergraduate and graduate HR programs.

“The university extends its deepest gratitude to Dr. Suzanne Erickson for her 14 years of service to Brenau University, and I look forward to working with Dr. Shatrela Washington-Hubbard in her new role,” said Provost Jim Eck. “Washington-Hubbard’s administrative and organizational expertise, combined with her passion for academic and professional preparation, will benefit both the College of Business & Communication and its students during this important year of transition.”

Before joining Brenau, Washington-Hubbard taught various business courses in the Technical College System of Georgia and served as the director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Development at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. She has also worked as an educator in the Georgia public school system and in corporate America as a human resources professional.

Washington-Hubbard earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University, a master’s degree in human resources from the University of South Carolina and a Ph.D. in learning, leadership and organizational development from the University of Georgia. Her research areas include entrepreneurial mindset, leadership development and women’s career development. She has presented her findings at the 2015 World Nobel Summit, the Technical College System of Georgia’s Leadership Conference and other regional and national conferences.

Washington-Hubbard is actively involved in several professional organizations and provides coaching and consulting services for various companies and professionals in the areas of training and leadership development. She has also volunteered for several organizations, including the Atlanta Children’s Shelter, where she facilitated computer training programs for parents seeking employment as they transitioned from homelessness to lifelong stability. Various boards have also benefited from her membership, with her longest tenure being with NGBC Educational & Community Services Inc.