Theodorea Regina Berry, Ed.D.
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Sept. 17, 2026) – Prairie View A&M University has appointed Dr. Theodorea Regina Berry as dean of the Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences (BCAS), effective Oct. 1, 2026.
Dr. Berry joins Prairie View A&M from Montclair State University, where she served as dean of Bloomfield College and professor of Curriculum Studies. She brings extensive academic and administrative leadership experience, including previous roles at the University of Central Florida, San José State University and The University of Texas at San Antonio.
At UCF, she served as vice provost for Student Learning and Academic Success and dean of the College of Undergraduate Studies.
A distinguished scholar of African American studies, curriculum studies and qualitative research methodology, Dr. Berry has authored and edited several books and published in leading scholarly journals. She recently completed a term as vice president for Division B (Curriculum) of the American Educational Research Association and has received numerous honors for her scholarship and contributions to the field.
Leading the College into its next chapter
Dr. Berry will assume leadership of BCAS as the College begins a new academic structure designed to strengthen academic identity, interdisciplinary collaboration, student pathways and research innovation.
Beginning this academic year, the College is organized into three schools:
- School of Natural and Computational Sciences, led by Interim Area Dean Dr. Orion Ciftja
- School of Culture, Community, and Human Development, led by Interim Area Dean Dr. Ronald Goodwin
- School of Communication, Arts, and Media, for which a national search will be conducted for Area Dean leadership
The Area Deans will report to Dr. Berry and work with department leadership and faculty to advance the academic priorities of their respective schools.
The new structure is intended to create stronger connections across disciplines, clarify pathways for students and build distinctive areas of academic and research excellence within the College. You can read more about PVAMU’s academic alignment plan here.
Dr. Berry’s background in academic leadership, program development, faculty support and student success will support the College’s next phase of development and its broader academic priorities under the Journey to Eminence 2035 strategic plan.
A transition in leadership
Dr. Berry succeeds Interim Dean Dr. Walle Engedayehu, who has led the College during the transition.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Aashir Nasim expressed appreciation for Dr. Engedayehu’s leadership and service to BCAS in a letter to the campus community.
He also recognized search committee co-chairs Dr. Aneika Simmons, dean of the College of Business, and Dr. Pamela Obiomon, dean of the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, along with the committee members who participated in the national search.
Dr. Berry will begin her tenure as dean on Oct. 1.
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