New Role Expands Leadership Development, Student Engagement and Campus Programming

Dr. Jessica Brown has been named assistant vice president for student leadership and engagement at Alabama A&M University, stepping into a newly created leadership role focused on strengthening the student experience through engagement, leadership development and campus programming.

Brown officially began the position Feb. 1, 2026. She was appointed by Dr. Braque Talley, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

“I am very thankful for this new opportunity,” Brown said. “It means that my commitment to providing a great student experience has been evident through my work.”

Brown joined Alabama A&M in February 2023 as director of Student Activities and Leadership Development. Prior to arriving at AAMU, she spent seven years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, serving as coordinator of Student Activities and later assistant director of Student Activities. She also worked as a community director at the University of South Alabama.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stillman College, a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of South Alabama and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

The Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees approved the assistant vice president position in June 2025 as part of an expanded vision for student engagement and leadership development.

In her new role, Brown provides strategic leadership and oversight for student engagement and leadership initiatives across campus. Her portfolio includes student organizations, leadership development, international student support, fraternity and sorority life, and major campus traditions such as Homecoming, Spring Week and the Bulldog Welcome Experience.

The department has also been reorganized under her leadership into three primary areas: Greek Life and Student Governance, International Student Support and Engagement, and Campus Programs. The expanded structure supports initiatives including first-generation student programming, student publications, the AAMU Royal Court, the Student Government Association, family engagement, the Career Closet, the Student Emergency Fund, student organization management and compliance, and student center operations.

Since joining the University, Brown has helped expand engagement opportunities and leadership development programs across campus. When she first arrived, the office consisted of a director, an administrative assistant and a part-time Royal Court adviser. The department has since grown to include additional professional staff and expanded programming. In summer 2025, the office merged with the former Office of Multicultural Affairs, further broadening its reach and services for students.

One initiative Brown is especially proud of is the Freshman Peer Mentorship Program, which helps first-year students adjust to life on The Hill.

“The Freshman Peer Mentorship Program has assisted new students in becoming more acclimated to college life and AAMU specifically,” said Brown. “It also provides leadership opportunities for the 20 upperclassmen who serve as mentors each year, hosting monthly activities and offering one-on-one support throughout students’ first year.”

Brown said the initiative also supports student retention and long-term success.

“I look forward to seeing this program continue to strengthen student persistence and expand opportunities for all students,” she said.

Working at a historically Black college and university has long been a personal goal for Brown.

“As a proud HBCU graduate, it has always been one of my goals to work at one to pour into students the same way staff did for me,” she said. “When I learned about the potential opportunity to come to AAMU to continue my passion for student engagement, I jumped at the opportunity.”

Coming to Alabama A&M also represented a full-circle moment. Brown attended Councill Elementary School in Birmingham, named for Alabama A&M founder Dr. William Hooper Councill.

“Once I learned the connection to Dr. William Hooper Councill, I grew up wanting to attend college here,” she said. “While I didn’t end up attending school here, I was excited for the opportunity to work here when I came across the director position.”

During her time at Alabama A&M, Brown said she quickly became immersed in the University’s culture and mission.

“My time here has been great,” she said. “I was quickly immersed into the AAMU culture and have learned so much through my role as well as through partnerships with other departments and external organizations. The growth of campus and our programs have been amazing to witness, and I am honored to be part of it.”

Brown is active in several national professional organizations, including the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) and the Southern Association of College and Student Affairs (SACSA). She currently serves as one of the chairs for the NASPA Womxn in Student Affairs Knowledge Community and will return this year as a faculty member for the SACSA/NASPA Region III New Professionals Institute.

For Brown, the most rewarding part of the work remains the students themselves.

“The best part of my job is watching our students develop a sense of belonging to campus, get involved in organizations and transform into leaders,” said Brown. “I also love seeing their active participation in campus events and how they engage with one another. I am looking forward to contributing to student retention through the enhancement of current programs and services and the development of new ones that positively impact our students and prepare them for life after graduation.”