Morgan State University Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Morgan State University has 9 executives leading key functions including research administration, information technology, academic operations, and government relations.

Committed to academic excellence and community advancement, Morgan State University provides transformative educational experiences through rigorous research programs and diverse degree offerings across the Maryland region.

Leadership Roles at Morgan State University

  • President - Ayodele Clinkscales
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer, Operations - Cynthia Mendoza
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer - Shinil Hong
  • Vice President, State And Federal Relations And Chief Of Staff - Veal Don-Terry
  • Chief of Staff To Provost and Academic Affairs - Ardenia Myrick
  • Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Technology - Timothy Summers
  • State Federal Relations Chief of Staff - Donald Veal
  • Deputy Director - Johnson Niba
  • Senior Advisor To the Director - Josh Faber
  • Ayodele Clinkscales - President

    Ayodele Clinkscales, the President at Morgan State University, serves as the chief executive officer responsible for the overall direction and success of the institution. Clinkscales sets the strategic vision, focusing on enhancing the university's reputation as a premier doctoral research institution. By engaging with the Board of Regents, faculty, students, and alumni, the President fosters a culture of academic excellence and community service. Ayodele Clinkscales oversees the university's financial health, fundraising efforts, and long-term capital planning. This leadership role involves representing the university in national higher education forums and building partnerships with corporate and government leaders. Through decisive action, the President drives initiatives that improve student retention, graduation rates, and research output. Clinkscales ensures the university remains responsive to the evolving needs of the workforce and society. Ultimately, the President provides the foundational leadership required to maintain the university's status as a leader in higher education.

    Cynthia Mendoza - Deputy Chief Information Officer, Operations

    Cynthia Mendoza, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Operations at Morgan State University, directs the daily functionality of campus-wide digital systems. Mendoza oversees the maintenance of network stability and hardware infrastructure to support academic and administrative needs. By implementing robust cybersecurity protocols, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Operations protects sensitive institutional data. Cynthia Mendoza coordinates with technical teams to upgrade legacy systems, ensuring seamless integration with modern educational tools. This role involves managing vendor relationships and optimizing IT budgets to maximize operational efficiency. Through proactive monitoring of system performance, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Operations prevents service disruptions during peak academic periods. Mendoza drives digital transformation initiatives that enhance the student experience and faculty productivity. Ultimately, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Operations maintains the technological backbone necessary for the university to function effectively in a competitive higher education landscape.

    Shinil Hong - Deputy Chief Information Officer

    Shinil Hong, the Deputy Chief Information Officer at Morgan State University, architects scalable software solutions and data management strategies. Hong leads the development of enterprise applications that support student enrollment, financial aid, and academic record-keeping. By analyzing institutional data trends, the Deputy Chief Information Officer provides actionable insights to university leadership for informed decision-making. Shinil Hong collaborates with academic departments to integrate specialized research software into the campus network. This leadership role involves overseeing the implementation of cloud-based platforms to improve accessibility for remote and on-campus learners. Through continuous evaluation of emerging technologies, the Deputy Chief Information Officer ensures the university remains at the forefront of digital innovation. Hong manages complex software deployments while maintaining strict adherence to data privacy regulations. Ultimately, the Deputy Chief Information Officer drives the strategic evolution of the university's digital ecosystem to support long-term academic success.

    Veal Don-Terry - Vice President, State And Federal Relations And Chief Of Staff

    Veal Don-Terry, the Vice President, State And Federal Relations And Chief Of Staff at Morgan State University, manages high-level communications between the institution and government entities. Don-Terry advocates for legislative support and funding initiatives that advance the university's research and academic mission. By coordinating with state and federal policymakers, the Vice President, State And Federal Relations And Chief Of Staff secures resources for campus expansion and program development. Veal Don-Terry oversees the strategic alignment of administrative priorities with the president's vision. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and navigating the regulatory environment to protect institutional interests. Through effective policy analysis, the Vice President, State And Federal Relations And Chief Of Staff influences public discourse regarding higher education. Don-Terry ensures the university maintains a strong presence in regional and national policy discussions. Ultimately, the Vice President, State And Federal Relations And Chief Of Staff drives institutional advocacy efforts.

    Ardenia Myrick - Chief of Staff To Provost and Academic Affairs

    Ardenia Myrick, the Chief of Staff To Provost and Academic Affairs at Morgan State University, coordinates the daily operations of the academic division. Myrick facilitates communication between the Provost and various college deans to ensure consistent implementation of educational policies. By managing faculty governance processes and academic scheduling, the Chief of Staff To Provost and Academic Affairs supports the delivery of high-quality degree programs. Ardenia Myrick oversees the preparation of accreditation reports and academic performance reviews. This leadership role involves resolving complex administrative challenges that impact student learning outcomes and faculty satisfaction. Through meticulous planning, the Chief of Staff To Provost and Academic Affairs aligns departmental goals with the university's broader strategic plan. Myrick manages the Provost's office budget and resource distribution to optimize academic support services. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff To Provost and Academic Affairs ensures the smooth functioning of the university's core academic mission.

    Timothy Summers - Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Technology

    Timothy Summers, the Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Technology at Morgan State University, defines the overarching digital strategy for the entire institution. Summers oversees the comprehensive IT infrastructure, including network security, data centers, and academic computing resources. By aligning technology investments with the university's research and teaching goals, the Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Technology drives digital modernization across all departments. Timothy Summers leads large-scale technology projects that enhance campus connectivity and administrative efficiency. This leadership role involves advising the president and board on emerging technological trends and cybersecurity risks. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders, the Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Technology ensures the university utilizes cutting-edge tools for research and instruction. Summers manages a diverse team of IT professionals to maintain high service standards. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Technology secures the digital future of the university through visionary leadership.
    Timothy Summers

    Donald Veal - State Federal Relations Chief of Staff

    Donald Veal, the State Federal Relations Chief of Staff at Morgan State University, monitors legislative developments that impact higher education funding and policy. Veal coordinates outreach efforts to government officials to promote the university's research achievements and community impact. By analyzing state and federal budget proposals, the State Federal Relations Chief of Staff identifies opportunities for grant acquisition and institutional support. Donald Veal manages the flow of information between the university administration and external political stakeholders. This leadership role involves organizing advocacy campaigns and representing the university at public hearings. Through strategic networking, the State Federal Relations Chief of Staff builds coalitions that support the university's long-term growth objectives. Veal ensures that institutional priorities are clearly communicated to key decision-makers at the state and federal levels. Ultimately, the State Federal Relations Chief of Staff drives the university's external affairs strategy to ensure continued financial and political viability.

    Johnson Niba - Deputy Director

    Johnson Niba, the Deputy Director at Morgan State University, manages critical research infrastructure and administrative workflows. Niba coordinates cross-departmental initiatives to support the university's Carnegie-classified doctoral research mission. By streamlining operational processes, the Deputy Director ensures faculty and student researchers maintain access to essential resources. Johnson Niba facilitates collaboration between academic units and external funding agencies to expand the institution's research footprint. This leadership role involves monitoring compliance standards and optimizing resource allocation to drive institutional growth. Through rigorous oversight of project lifecycles, the Deputy Director strengthens the university's capacity for high-impact scholarly output. Niba maintains alignment with broader academic goals while fostering an environment conducive to innovation. Ultimately, the Deputy Director secures the operational stability required for sustained excellence in higher education research and development across the Maryland campus.

    Josh Faber - Senior Advisor To the Director

    Josh Faber, the Senior Advisor To the Director at Morgan State University, provides strategic guidance on operational initiatives and institutional planning. Faber assists the Director in evaluating program effectiveness and identifying areas for process improvement. By conducting thorough research and data analysis, the Senior Advisor To the Director supports the development of long-term organizational strategies. Josh Faber facilitates communication between the Director's office and various campus stakeholders to ensure project alignment. This leadership role involves managing special projects that address critical institutional needs or emerging challenges. Through careful assessment of internal workflows, the Senior Advisor To the Director optimizes resource utilization across the department. Faber maintains a focus on achieving measurable outcomes that support the university's mission. Ultimately, the Senior Advisor To the Director provides the analytical support and strategic insight necessary for the Director to make informed decisions that advance the university's research and academic goals.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Membership Organizations

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Morgan State University Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Morgan State University?
    Morgan State University is led by Ayodele Clinkscales (President), along with executives such as Cynthia Mendoza (Deputy Chief Information Officer, Operations) and Shinil Hong (Deputy Chief Information Officer).
    Who is part of Morgan State University’s executive team?
    The executive team of Morgan State University includes leaders such as Ayodele Clinkscales (President), Cynthia Mendoza (Deputy Chief Information Officer, Operations), Shinil Hong (Deputy Chief Information Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Morgan State University have?
    Morgan State University has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Morgan State University’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Morgan State University includes roles such as President, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Operations, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Vice President, State And Federal Relations And Chief Of Staff, Chief of Staff To Provost and Academic Affairs.