Gibson named Director of College Access Programs
The University of Southern Indiana has named Dr. LaShone M. Gibson as Director of College Access Programs effective November 16.
In this role, Gibson will provide strategic and operational leadership for TRIO Student Support Services and Pathways to USI, with equal responsibility for both areas. The position oversees student support services, outreach and recruitment, college readiness initiatives, budgets, grant compliance, assessment, community partnerships and the Pre-Screagle Summer Institute. She will also advance college access, retention, persistence and completion by developing student-centered initiatives that address barriers to higher education and promote student success.
Gibson brings a track record of expanding access and strengthening pathways to success for first-generation students, students with disabilities and historically underserved populations.
As the former National Director of University Partnerships and Academic Excellence at Boys Hope Girls Hope, a community-based college access organization with a national presence, Gibson led initiatives supporting first-generation students, expanded summer pre-college participation by 60% annually, introduced a short-term study abroad program for marginalized high school scholars and established the framework for Envision U, an innovative pre-college admissions experience.
Prior to joining USI, she held Associate Dean positions at Saint Louis University, advancing enrollment, retention and building strategic partnerships supporting nontraditional learners. At the University of Evansville, she led the Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana within the Schroeder School of Business Administration, developed and delivered its seminal overseas trade mission and executive education seminars, and served on faculty teaching Global Business Fundamentals.
Gibson also developed a Future Ambassador program in partnership with the Evansville African American Museum and designed the Summer Leadership Academy, a college immersion program serving Indiana high schoolers sponsored by Old National Bank. Her community service in Evansville included a mayoral appointment to the CAPE board of directors, chairing the Evansville Celebration of Diversity Lecture Series and representing Southwest Indiana on the Indiana District Export Council.
Recognized for her leadership and community impact, Gibson is a recipient of the Leadership Evansville Award for Education, the Evansville Black Women's Task Force Woman of the Year and Saint Louis University Woman of the Year honors. She was also named to the St. Louis Business Journal's 40 Under 40.
Gibson earned her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University, holds a master's degree in international studies from North Carolina State University and earned her undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is also a Fulbright International Education Administrators Fellow.