Possessing a robust résumé in higher education administration, President Ford has earned a stellar reputation as a hands-on, transformative leader. Since arriving at Dillard on July 1, 2022, she has bolstered Dillard’s commitment to cultivating leaders, strengthened its legacy of excellence, and is working diligently to establish Dillard as a communiversity. With a focus on the DU3: facilities that withstand the forecast, fortifying staff and faculty, and financing the future for students, she envisions Dillard as a leader in developing healthy, safe and innovative communities through its living, learning, and serving community.

Dr. Ford chairs the GNO Higher Education Consortium and sits on the boards of the Business Council of New Orleans, the LA Board of Regents HBCU Advisory Council, GNO, Inc., the United Way of New Orleans, EIIA, UNCF, Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and Black Women Collegiate Presidents and Chancellors. She is also a member of the Black College Fund, Rotary of New Orleans, and Louisiana Women’s Forum.

Her scholarship and experience include diversity, equity and inclusion, public relations, advertising, journalism, and media. She has served on the boards of PRSA, the PRSA Foundation and the American Advertising Federation’s Mosaic Center and the Arthur W. Page Society’s diversity and inclusion committee. 

A native of Gahanna, Ohio, President Ford earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard University, her master’s degree from University of Maryland, College Park, and her Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She also earned a graduate certificate in higher education administration from Harvard University, and was the first Clark Atlanta University HBCU Executive Leadership Institute graduate to become a college president.

She is a member of the National Black Public Relations Society, the American Advertising Federation, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church.

• Dillard University Presidential Priorities
• President Ford statement on the events in Israel and Gaza
• Dillard University 2022-2023 Annual Report
• Dillard University Strategic Plan – Transformation 2030