Finalists for Bluefield State University President Opening
Vernell A. Bennett, Ed.D.
Dr. Bennett is currently the owner of Navigate Higher Education, LLC., which provides guidance to postsecondary institutions. She was previously the President of LeMoyne-Owen College, an HBCU in Memphis, Tennessee, from 2021-23. Previous employments include Vice President for Student Affairs at Delta State University, from 2016-20, and numerous rolls at Kentucky State University, an HBCU, from 1996-2015, ending her tenure there as Vice President for Student Affairs. She received a B.M., in Vocal Performance, from Fisk University; an M.A., in Vocal Performance, from Eastern Michigan University; and an Ed.D., in Instruction and Administration, from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Bennett is active in community activities and has received numerous awards and honors.
Atif Qarni, Ed.D.
Dr. Qarni is the former Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia, serving from 2018-21, and has served most recently as an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University, from 2022-23, and as Associate Director for The Hope Center, of Temple University, from 2021 through 2023. Prior to his service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Dr. Qarni was a teacher in the Prince William County Public School system. Dr. Qarni received his B.A. in Sociology, from George Washington University; his M.A. in History, from George Mason University; and his Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations, from Vanderbilt University. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Darrin Martin, Ed.D.
Dr. Martin currently serves as the Interim President of Bluefield State University, having been appointed to this position by the Board of Governors in November 2023. Immediately before this appointment, Dr. Martin was a member of the Board of Governors, having been appointed by Gov. Jim Justice. Before his service to Bluefield State University, Dr. Martin was Dean of Academic Support for Bluefield University, from 2019-2023; Director of Graduate Education for Bluefield University, from 2022-23; Interim Dean of the College of Education & Social Sciences for Bluefield University, from 2022-23; a School Improvement Specialist for the West Virginia Department of Education, from 2007-11; Director of Teacher Education, for Concord University, from 2000-07; and was a High School level Administrator with Tazewell County Public Schools, in Virginia. During much of this time, Dr. Martin also operated a successful educational consulting business. Dr. Martin received an A.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Bluefield State University; a B.S. in Mathematics, from Bluefield State University; a M.S. in Educational Leadership, from Radford University; and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dr. Martin is a life-long resident of the Bluefield-area, and is a third-generation graduate of Bluefield State University.
The search for Bluefield State’s next president will be open and community-driven.
We’re selecting a candidate as a campus. The members of the search committee represent the many diverse functions of our dynamic institution and represent the voice and perspective of the campus community.
Search Process
Two groups will play vital, complementary roles in the search for our next president.
Board of Governors
One of the most important roles of the Board of Governors is the selection of a University President. The Board, in collaboration with the search committee chair, has established a search committee to assist in the search process and create a timetable for the selection process.
Search committee
The search committee will be responsible for identifying candidates and selecting finalists to be presented to the Board. Those finalists will be reviewed by the Board of Governors, who will select and hire the next president from that group of finalists. The committee is comprised of Bluefield State University faculty, staff, students, alumnus, community members, and members of the Board of Governors.
See the projected timeline for the Presidential Search
Search committee members
Cathy Deeb
Chair
Anthony Tolley
Board Member
Darrel Malamisura
Faculty
Roy Pruett
Faculty
Ansel Ponder
Administrator
Cynthia Higgins-Atwell
Staff
Cecil Marson
City Manager
Rebecca Peterson
Board Member
Garry Moore
Chancellor
Mildred Hoskey
Alumnae
Betty Nash
Faculty
Rodney Montague
Faculty
Jane Charnock
Administrator
Tammy Martin
Staff