SALISBURY — “In order to lead, one has to be able to serve,” says Kelli V. Randall of Livingstone College.

For the past seven years, Randall has demonstrated that spirit at Livingstone as chairwoman of the department of English and foreign language, dean of liberal arts and humanities and associate vice president of academic affairs. She also was an accreditation liaison to th Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Livingstone President Jimmy R. Jenkins Sr. recently announced her appointment as vice president of academic affairs. She will continue in her roles as dean and Southern Association liaison.

Randall succeeds Carolyn Duncan, who has assumed the role of director of grants and scholarships.

“As associate VP for academic aAffairs, Randall worked collaboratively with Dr. Duncan to engineer many accomplishments in academic affairs.  As accreditation liaison, Dr. Randall has successfully led the college through our fifth year,” Jenkins said. “I am also happy to announce that she worked with the division of business in its successful quest to achieve accreditation.”

“My demonstrated ability to work creatively and collaboratively with department chairs, deans, vice presidents, faculty and other staff members in matters of college governance attests to my experience in college-wide curriculum and institutional assessment and planning,” said Randall, who has led Livingstone through four major accreditation reports and two on-site visits.  

As a tenured professor of English, Randall has a strong grasp of the pedagogical, technological, economic, and social opportunities and challenges facing colleges. She also has a keen understanding of the major issues and trends in higher education, as well as the major challenges that historically black colleges and universities are facing.

Randall said she believes liberal arts education is shaping the future of the global society.

“It prepares students for the rest of their lives, for it gives students the tools to become productive citizens in a global society,” she says. “A liberal arts and sciences education teaches freedom by example and provides students with a more well-rounded learning experience.”

Jenkins said he is confident in Randall taking Livingstone to the next level.

Jenkins also expressed his appreciation to Duncan, who served nearly five years in the role. Duncan wanted to spend more time writing grants and coordinating the pursuit of scholarships for students, he said.

“Dr. Duncan has been very instrumental in writing proposals and securing needed funds to support new programs and addressing deferred maintenance needs for academic structures,” he said. “Very shortly, our Andrew Carnegie Library will come under major renovation due in great part to a grant written by Dr. Duncan. It is our expectation that more revenue will be generated for improvements of the college with this new realignment.”