“I want to see this college as a model,” said Goldie Byrd, new dean for the college of arts and sciences.  

She’s from Magnolia, NC and she received her undergraduate degree from A&T in professional biology and biology secondary education.  

Byrd then went to Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN where she received her Ph.D in microbial genetics.  Before coming to A&T she was professor of Biology at Tennessee State University for two years and held the same position at NC Central for 12 years.  

Byrd came to A&T in 2003 as a biology professor and the first female chair of the biology department.  She has directed a number of student research training programs.  

Byrd is also engaged in professional and community-based service organizations including the Peace College Board of Trustees, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood in Orange and Durham counties.

She has received much recognition for her work.  She received the Nathan F. Simms endowed professor of Biology award, the Women in Business award from the Greensboro Business Journal, the Board of Governors award in teaching excellence and she was inducted into the HBCU alumni Hall of Fame. She also received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring from President Barack Obama at the White House.  

“I want to contribute significantly to the success of students and faculty,” said Byrd.  She also said that the college of arts and sciences is a pivotal college across campus since all students will take classes in it.” We have 30 percent of the majors across campus,” she said.

She said her role of dean of the college of arts and sciences is to facilitate the collaborative growth of each individual unit including faculty and staff.  

When it comes to students she plans to immediately address retention and graduation rates.  For faculty she is focused on ensuring excellence in teaching, research and service.

The first thing Byrd plans to do is conduct several good assessments of the college to understand the potential, aspirations and resources it holds.  

She also plans to work on facilitating and increasing resources for the college, making the college into a much more technological and global society and to work on increasing student success.

In the future Byrd wants to see the college as one that recruits and retains students who are capable of graduating in four years and who are able to retrieve a useful degree from A&T.

She said that a research internship or opportunity for all students would be ideal. She also wants to see a faculty that is more mentored, developed, scholarly and entrepreneurial.

“Every unit is capable of a high level of research and it’s a part of being a member of the college,” she said.  Byrd insists that all faculty should mentor students and remain scholarly because it is a major component of their tenure.  

Her advice to students: “Stay in school, become a life-long learner, stay motivated, get a mentor and give back.”

• Shequia Cole