Kevin D. Rome Sr. (born May 29, 1966) is an American university administrator. He served as the 16th president of Fisk University, a historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee.[1] He was previously the president of Lincoln University from 2013 to 2017.
Kevin D. Rome | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 16th President of Fisk University | |
| In office July 1, 2017 – August 25, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | H. James Williams |
| Succeeded by | Vann R. Newkirk |
| 19th President of Lincoln University | |
| In office June 1, 2013 – June 30, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Carolyn Mahoney |
| Succeeded by | Jerald Woolfolk |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | Stephanie Baker |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Alma mater | Morehouse College (BA) University of Georgia (MA) University of Texas at Austin (PhD) |
| Profession | Academic administrator |
Early life
editKevin Darnell Rome was born May 29, 1966.[2] He was educated at the Spencer High School in Columbus, Georgia.[2] He graduated from Morehouse College,[3] where he earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1989.[4] He earned a master's degree of education in College Student Personnel from the University of Georgia in 1991 and a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001.[3][4]
Career
editRome was assistant vice chancellor for student life and diversity at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, vice president for campus life at Clayton State University, and vice president for student services at Morehouse College.[3] He was also the vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management at North Carolina Central University until 2013.[3]
Rome was the president of Lincoln University from 2013 to 2017.[3] During his tenure, he focused on rebranding the school and recruiting students from all over Missouri, especially "better-prepared students."[5] In November 2016, he urged students to focus on building careers and pursuing leadership positions instead of protesting.[4] Rome succeeded Frank L. Sims as the 16th president of Fisk University in June 2017.[3][6] Rome departed Fisk in August 2020, following the filing of a restraining order alleging that he had threatened a man that he had an intimate relationship with.[1] The man also alleged that Rome drugged him.[7] Rome and his attorney stated the allegations were false and no official charges were filed against Rome at the time of his removal. [8][9]
Personal life
editRome is a lifetime member of Phi Beta Sigma. Rome and his wife, Stefanie Baker Rome, have twins; son, Kevin and daughter Kendel.[5] He met his wife in 2000 on a blind date in Los Angeles, where he traveled to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune and won $5,000.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b Tamburin, Adam. "Fisk president Kevin Rome out after restraining order, court allegations". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c Rice, Mark (July 28, 2013). "Spencer High graduate rises from Columbus public housing to college president". Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "Fisk names new president". Nashville Post. March 23, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ^ a b c Swisher, Kaija (November 8, 2016). "'Leading Beyond Anger'. Lincoln University president discusses action, commitment to making change". The Black Hills Pioneer. Spearfish, South Dakota. pp. 3, 9. Retrieved December 8, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b King, Chris (June 12, 2014). "Rebranding Lincoln University". St. Louis American. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ^ "Dr. Kevin D. Rome, Sr. Named 16th President of Fisk University". Fisk University. March 23, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ^ "Fisk President Kevin Rome out after abuse allegation". Nashville Post. August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ "Fisk president Kevin Rome out after restraining order, court allegations". The Tennessean.
- ^ "Fisk University cuts ties with Dr. Kevin Rome, names interim president". August 12, 2020.