Cleveland State Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Nigamanth Sridhar, Ph.D. announced on Nov. 9 the appointment of Dr. Jill Gordon, Ph.D. as the next dean of CSU’s Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, taking over in the role from Dr. Roland Anglin.

An Ohio native, Gordon most recently worked in Richmond, Virginia as a professor and assistant vice provost for faculty affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

At VCU, prior to her most recent appointments, Gordon also served as the senior associate dean of faculty and academic affairs, interim associate dean for research, interim director of graduate student service and advising, and chair of the criminal justice program. 

Gordon spent a lot of time completing research within many of these roles. Her research interests centered on correctional employees’ attitudes towards work environment and culture, correctional program effectiveness, and correctional staff workforce perceptions.

Along with a colleague, Gordon conducted a multi-site project which examined perceptions of culture and climate among correctional officers and inmates. Gordon is also versed in evaluation research covering both community and institutional corrections, with the majority of the work being supported by federal, state or local funding. 

“As dean, Dr. Gordon will articulate and execute a vision for the future of (Levin College), and I am confident that she will champion the success of our diverse and inclusive student body to ensure Levin College is a place where all have a sense of belonging and an opportunity to thrive,” Sridhar said.

Roland Vincent Anglin

Gordon is stepping into the role currently filled by Dr. Roland Anglin, whose many achievements including managing the transition and expansion of the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education as part of the revamp of the university known as CSU 2.0.

Anglin has spent more than twenty-five years of working in the public, educational, and philanthropic sectors, focusing on promoting economic and community development in and for low-income communities.

Anglin has a doctorate from the University of Chicago, a master's degree from Northwestern, and a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College (City University of New York).

An Ohio native returns home

Gordon attended school at two Ohio universities. She earned her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University.

“I am very much looking forward to enhancing the Levin College’s footprint in the region and beyond, as well as serving at another public institution that values access, urban transformation and community engagement,” Gordon said. “And as an Ohio native, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to re-discover the city of Cleveland.”

Gordon's appointment is expected to be ratified by the CSU Board of Trustees at their next meeting on Nov. 14, after which Gordon would begin serving as Levin’s dean starting Jan. 2, 2024.