- Individuals who are committed to supporting and advancing women in higher education
President/State Chair
Voorhees University
Vice President
University of South Carolina
A Virginia native, Dr. LaNaé Budden is a first-generation college graduate who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from Old Dominion University, a Master of Arts degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Formerly, she served as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students & Director of Student Activities at Columbia College and Program Advisor for Leadership Programs and Women’s Student Services at the University of South Carolina. She is an executive board member for South Carolina Women in Higher Education and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She loves supporting others who are striving to become their best self!
Secretary
Lander University
Treasurer & Parliamentarian
Midlands Technical College
Furman University
Sharen L. Beaulieu, SHRM-SCP, serves as Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Furman University, providing strategic leadership for human resources operations and workforce initiatives. She brings more than 31 years of progressive HR leadership experience spanning higher education and highly regulated industries, including manufacturing, logistics, transportation, and distribution. Prior to joining Furman, Sharen spent 13 years as Associate Vice President of Human Resources at the University of New England, where she led workforce planning, employee relations, compensation strategy, benefits administration, and organizational effectiveness efforts. Her career reflects a strong commitment to aligning people strategies with institutional mission, fiscal stewardship, and employee well-being. Sharen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Piedmont University and maintains SHRM-SCP certification. An active professional leader, she is engaged with SHRM, CUPA-HR, SCICU, and regional HR organizations.
Presbyterian College
Dr. Selena Blair is the Rogers-Ingram Vice President for Justice and Community Wellbeing and Title IX Coordinator at Presbyterian College where oversees Accessible Education, Counseling and Health Services, and the Presby First+ program which serves first-generation college students. As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Blair understands the importance of ensuring everyone, regardless of faith, identity or background, feels welcomed, valued, respected, heard, and included. For over 22 years, Dr. Blair has worked in higher education and held various leadership positions at the state, regional and national levels. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Limestone University, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University, and a Doctor of Education in Professional Leadership from Converse University. In addition to being a wife and mother of three daughters, she is very active in her church, community, and beloved sorority - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Tri-County Technical College
Jacquelyn Blakley, PhD, is the Dean for Business and Public Services at Tri County Technical College (TCTC). She has been employed at TCTC for 25 years. Her research focuses on students of color in higher education in community colleges. Prior to working at TCTC, Dr. Blakley was employed with Cryovac as an accounting analyst. Dr. Blakley serves on various professional and community boards. She is the past recipient of the Martha Kime Piper award given by SCWHE. She also mentors young people through various organizations. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is married to Milton and they have 3 children, Sterlin (Michael), Briana (Kennedy), Jamal, and one grandson, Michael III.
Columbia College
Melissia Brannen, EdD, oversees the Office of Multicultural Affairs & Community Resources and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She is an advocate for students and enjoys sharing opportunities that build capacity for acceptance and belonging in higher education communities. In 2022, she completed a doctorate in Professional Leadership at her undergraduate alma mater, Converse University, with a research focus on assessing diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices at U.S. institutions of higher education.
Columbia College
Tywana Chenault Hemby, PhD, is a tenured professor and currently serves as the first African American Dean for The School of Social Sciences at Columbia College. She has recently been elected as the first African American female board member of MIRCI, Incorporated, a behavioral healthcare outreach organization serving the greater Columbia metro area.Dr. Chenault Hemby has received a variety of awards including the Excellence in Teaching Award from South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. Tywana serves as a workshop presenter on a variety of educational circuits. Her most popular presentations include Leading While Black: Leadership Lesson for African American Females, Teaching the Way the Brain Best Learns, Teaching with Tech, Exploring Racial Trauma in Educational Spaces, The LEGO Principe: Learning How to Connect, and Critical Literacy: An Approach in Advancing African American Student Achievement. She is the first African American female to chair the advisory board for The Teaching Professor Conference.
Spartanburg Community College
Ann Jones is the Department Chair of Transitional Studies and the Interim Department Chair of Mathematics at Spartanburg Community College (SCC), where she has been employed for 24 years. Ann earned her bachelor's degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of South Carolina-Upstate, a master's degree in Human Resources Development from Webster University, and a graduate certificate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of South Carolina. Ann is a former public school and private school mathematics teacher. She actively participates in the SC Women in Higher Education organization and has represented SCC as its institutional representative for 12 years. She is married to Curtis, and they enjoy spending time with their adult children and granddaughter whenever possible.
Dr. Mary Alexander, University of South Carolina
Dr. Sally Boyd, University of South Carolina Columbia
Dr. Willette Burnham, Medical University of South Carolina
Dr. Siobhan Craft Brownson, Winthrop University
Dr. Karen Gainey, Limestone College
Dr. Mary Holloway, Midlands Technical College
Ms. Lisa Mangione, Greenville Technical College
Evelyn Pride, Aiken Technical College
Dr. Terrie Smith, University of South Carolina
Ms. Charmaine Tomczyk, Coastal Carolina University
Susan W. Pope, The Citadel
Note: Institutional affiliation is at the time of appointment of the Honorary Member.
