A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Dr. Overton-Adkins is a lifelong educator who began her career as a public school teacher. She earned her Ph.D. in higher education leadership from Vanderbilt University. At SAU, she was responsible for operations of the graduate and undergraduate academic programs, faculty development and taught in a number of areas.Dr. Overton-Adkins is now serving as a clinical professor in the philanthropy, advancement and development programs at the University of Michigan. She also collaborates on projects sponsored by the National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good and the development of research regarding student success and institutional effectiveness in U.S. minority-serving institutions.

Dr. Overton-Adkins will continue to have ties to Spring Arbor University and the surrounding community. She plans to continue serving as a mentor and resource for many SAU students, teaching in online courses, and in her role with Hope Africa University, SAU’s partner university.