Office of the President

总统博士. 朗达菲利普斯

Dr. 菲利普斯 has more than 30 years’ experience as an innovative academic administrator, 学者, 和作者. She joined Chatham following completion of her decade-long role as the inaugural Dean of the John Martinson Honors College at Purdue University, 开拓者,000 student residential honors college that under her leadership was named one of the Top 20 Honors College in the U.S.  

Prior to her role at Purdue, she was Associate Dean for Barrett, 荣誉学院, at Arizona State University, where she also served as professor and director of the School of 社区 Resources and Development, and Senior 可持续性 Scientist at the Wrigley Global Institute of 可持续性. She has held faculty and administrator roles at the University of Florida and the University of Southern Mississippi, and prior to joining academia, 菲利普斯 worked as an economic developer with the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and other nonprofit, private and public organizations.

“Enhancing student experiences is a passion for me and I am thrilled to lead the university that influenced Rachel Carson to shape new environmental standards while leaving a legacy that influenced my own and countless others’ work in sustainable development. I am also drawn to Chatham’s unique combination of strengths in the health sciences, 可持续性, 女性领导, and the liberal arts and sciences that produce students willing to respond to the opportunities and big challenges facing society today,”医生说。. 菲利普斯.

Dr. 菲利普斯有博士学位.D. 在城市 & Regional Planning from Georgia Tech, holds a MS in Economics from Georgia Tech and a MS in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi where she also earned her bachelor’s degree. She is a three-time Fulbright recipient including serving as the 2006 Fulbright UK Ulster Policy Fellow in Northern Ireland. She is the author or editor of over 30 academic books, including the textbook, Introduction to 社区 Development, used by students and practitioners around the world. Dr. 菲利普斯 research focus is on community and sustainable well-being studies, economic and technology-based development, and on making the places we live better for all. She has a passion for the classroom and continued teaching at Purdue where she served as a Professor in the Agricultural Economics Department and faculty liaison with local food system development. Dr. 菲利普斯 will also be a member of Chatham’s teaching faculty when she begins her presidency.   

“Dr. 菲利普斯 was the unanimous choice of the 校董会 based in large part on her commitment to fostering inclusive and transformative learning environments and opportunities, which is a hallmark of the Chatham undergraduate experience,大卫·M说。. Hall, Chair of 波胆网站’s 校董会. “Rhonda’s impressive experience and 学者ship—coupled with her work in sustainable development, well-being and agriculture—is a perfect complement to the work of Chatham’s Falk School of 可持续性 & Environment at 伊甸堂校园 and make her the right leader to help continue Chatham’s historic, undergraduate growth since going all-gender in 2014.”

“Chatham is a place that fosters innovation, but it is also positioned within the highly creative, dynamic environment of Pittsburgh, which provides a living laboratory and countless partnership opportunities for students to enhance learning. I am excited to become part of the Chatham and Pittsburgh communities, and can’t wait to get started this summer,”医生说。. 菲利普斯.