Colleges for Dentistry

FAMU President James H. Ammons has announced several changes to the university's senior administration.

“I have made major changes in my administration and have assigned members of my executive leadership team to areas where their skills and experience are needed the most,” Ammons said.

Larry Robinson, special assistant to the president, will assume the position of provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Cynthia Hughes Harris, who has served as provost since Jan. 3, 2008, will assume the position of dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences. Barbara Mosley, who is currently dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences, will be reassigned to the position of associate dean in the school. In addition, Atty. Avery McKnight has been promoted to vice president for Legal Affairs and General Counsel and will acquire the departments of Risk Management, Labor Relations and Equal Opportunity Programs.


Robinson, who served as provost from 2003-2005, served briefly as chief operating officer in 2007, and also served as vice president for Research during President Ammons’ administration. He took a leave of absence from the university from May 2010 to November 2011 in order to serve as assistant secretary for Commerce for Conservation and Management at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“I want to thank Dr. Hughes Harris for what she has accomplished during her tenure as provost,” said Ammons. “Under her leadership, we are closer to meeting our goals for Academic Affairs as outlined in our strategic plan.”

During Harris’ tenure as provost, she was responsible for establishing three new bachelor’s degree programs and four master’s degree programs. Under her administration, she established several certification programs, the STEM learning communities and FAMU’s first ever online degree programs. As provost, she also coordinated the academic restructuring of the university. During her tenure as dean of Allied Health Sciences, enrollment increased significantly in the school. Harris implemented the doctor of physical therapy, the master’s in occupational therapy and the bachelor’s in health science. While she served as dean, she also was the principal investigator for multiple grants, receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Florida.