Dr. Mel Johnson-Norwood, who has more than two decades of success in student development, academic support, and inclusive leadership across a diverse range of positions and institutions, has been named vice president for student development at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey after a national search.

“Dr. Johnson-Norwood’s career has been marked by dedication to students and significant achievement on behalf of their success,” said President Richard J. Helldobler. “I am confident that he will bring that same energy and impact to the William Paterson community.”

Johnson-Norwood succeeds Dr. Miki Cammarata, who is retiring after 12 years in the position.

“I am thrilled to join a university that exemplifies a deep and transformative commitment to student success,” says Johnson-Norwood. “I look forward to working with our outstanding professionals in the Division of Student Development to further assist our Pioneers in creating their success.”

Johnson-Norwood served most recently as vice chancellor for student affairs and associate provost at North Carolina’s Winston-Salem State University, where he oversaw a comprehensive portfolio of student services, the renovation of residence halls, and generated more than $2 million in federal and state awards to support student success and wellness. As an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow at Virginia State University, he worked closely with President Makola Abdullah and his administrative team, contributing to institutional strategy, and serving as a thought partner on advancing the university’s integration of artificial intelligence for all stakeholders.

Previously, Johnson-Norwood served as dean of students at Reinhardt University in Georgia, where he increased retention, and as director of retention and transition services at Miami Dade College in Florida, where he redesigned the intervention program to increase the number of students in good academic standing.

A native of New Orleans, Johnson-Norwood is a first-generation high school graduate. He is president-elect of the National Association for Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns (NAMRC) and is a long-time member of NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. He served as a member of the NASPA Region III board from 2014 to 2017, as a regional representative to the NASPA African American Concerns Knowledge Community from 2014 to 2018, and as a regional representative to the NASPA Small Colleges and Universities Division since 2018. In 2022, he received the 2022 Sankofa Award from the NASPA African American Knowledge Community, presented to a senior student affairs officer for his advocacy and support for marginalized students and leadership and guidance to African Americans in higher education.

Johnson-Norwood earned a bachelor of science degree in business education and a master’s degree in educational administration from Alabama State University; a master of science degree in rehabilitation counseling from Winston-Salem State University, and a doctor of education degree in higher education administration from Auburn University. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate with specialized experience serving individuals with disabilities, co-occurring disorders, and addiction.