
President and Chief Executive Officer
Gina S. Brown, Ph.D., MSA, RN, FAAN, FNAP, FADLN serves as the 12th president of ƵUniversity in Huntsville, AL. Dr. Brown brings more than 30 years of distinguished leadership in healthcare, higher education, and international administration to her role as president of ƵUniversity. An accomplished educator, nurse, administrator, and visionary, Dr. Brown has served institutions across North America, Asia, and Africa with a track record of innovation, excellence, and transformation.
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Dr. Brown is a proud alumna of ƵUniversity, where she earned undergraduate degrees in both biology and nursing. She later completed her Master of Science in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in Administration—with a focus in nursing, policy, and ethics—from George Mason University.
Her professional career spans a wide range of leadership roles including hospital supervisor, nurse recruiter, cancer research liaison, and Chief Operating Officer of GROW Healthcare, a subsidiary of Adventist HealthCare. In this capacity, she oversaw nurse recruitment operations across the globe, notably in the Philippines, and helped shape operational policies across multiple healthcare systems. She also served on the Board of Trustees for Shady Grove Hospital.
In higher education, Dr. Brown has been a pioneering leader. She became the founding dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University), where she launched and administered numerous graduate and undergraduate programs. She later served as Dean of the School of Health Professions, Science and Wellness at WAU for over a decade, while also sitting on the board of Loma Linda University Health—a system of 14 hospitals.
Dr. Brown went on to serve as the academic leader for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Loma Linda University before being appointed Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Howard University. At Howard, she managed a multimillion-dollar budget, directed more than 100 faculty and staff, and ensured the academic success of over 1,500 students.
Recognized internationally for her expertise in nursing education, policy, and interdisciplinary care models, Dr. Brown has secured major grant funding, developed academic programs across all degree levels, and published widely in both scholarly and faith-based journals. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), the National Academies of Practice (FNAP), and the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (FADLN).
As president of ƵUniversity, Dr. Brown brings a bold, student-focused vision for the future—grounded in faith, driven by data, and supported by decades of experience. Her leadership is marked by excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders for service in a global society.

Provost and Senior Vice President
Dr. James Mbyirukira, Ph.D.

Vice President
University Advancement
Ava Willis-Barksdale, M.A., B.S., serves as Vice President of University Advancement. She has over 30 years of experience in education, healthcare, and philanthropy. Her philanthropic leadership spans five institutions, focusing on fundraising, donor relations, and grant acquisition. She also served as Operational Vice President and Interim President at Girard College before returning to higher education advancement.

Vice President
Enrollment Services and Retention
Elder Robert Edwards is a seasoned minister and leader with over 40 years of service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A proud ƵCollege alumnus, he holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Andrews University. From 1994 to 1998, he served as Director of Enrollment Management, and in 2023, he returned to ƵUniversity as Vice President for Enrollment Services and Retention, officially beginning his role on January 1, 2024. In this capacity, he merges his passion for ministry with higher education, focusing on student enrollment, retention, and success. Previously, he served as Vice President for Black Ministries for the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (2018-2023), providing strategic leadership and support. Elder Edwards remains committed to nurturing both the academic and spiritual growth of students within the Seventh-day Adventist tradition.

Dr. Howard Weems, Ph.D. has served as a Seventh-day Adventist minister and academician for over twenty-nine years. He is an organizational psychologist, professor, and ordained minister. He has pastored several churches in the Northeastern Conference. His educational background consists of communications, theology, and psychology. He completed an Associate Degree in Communications and a B.A. Degree in Theology at ƵUniversity.