Considering the Past: Topics in M.C. History

Jo Allen, Ph.D., Meredith College Class of 1980, was named the eighth president of the College on April 18, 2011. Dr. Allen, who began her work on July 1st, and was inaugurated on March 22 the following year, is the first Meredith College alumna to assume the leadership of the institution. Allen previously served as Senior Vice President and Provost, as well as Professor of English, at Widener University. A North Carolina native, Allen majored in English at Meredith, then earned her Master’s degree from East Carolina University and her doctorate from Oklahoma State University, both in English Literature, with an emphasis in Technical and Professional Communication. 

In her 13th years as president, Allen led the College through significant growth in fundraising. In addition, Allen guided the College through extensive capital projects, including the addition of the new Elizabeth Triplett Beam Fountain Plaza, the Dickson Community Garden, the Lowery Fitness Center, and the CHESS (Communication and Health, Exercise, & Sport Sciences) academic building. Extensive renovations included those to Belk Dining Hall, Jones Auditorium, Carlyle Campbell Library, Jones Chapel, Johnson Hall, Mae Grimmer House, Moore Drive House, the residence halls, the Nifong Nutrition Lab, Jones Auditorium, Weatherspoon Gym, and the Meredith Lake provided state-of-the-art and accessible spaces. In process is a new sports complex for tennis and softball.

In addition, Dr. Allen served in various leadership roles in higher education organizations including the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (board chair), the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (Board chair), the USA South athletic conference (chair of the President’s Council), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (Commissioner), SACSCOC (Board of Directors), Cooperating Raleigh Colleges (chair of the President’s Council), and more. A well-published scholar and award-winning writer in her field, Allen has also served in her discipline’s various organizations, as well as on editorial boards and accreditation teams. 

On August 14, 2023, President Allen announced that she would retire after the 2023-24 academic year. At the time, Dr. Allen reflected, “Being president of my alma mater—a college that so enriched my life by helping me identify my life’s goals and build my confidence, my sense of purpose, and my network of friends and supporters—has been an honor and privilege. Few people have the opportunity to live full circle with the closing of a career at the very place that career began to take shape. I am grateful beyond measure for all those who have helped prepare and sustain me all these years.”

**Information about Dr. Allen's accomplishments came directly from the August 2023 Campus Connections newsletter.