Remembering those we recently lost
Anthony Cook planted a tree
Key moments and achievements from Christine McPhail's life.
Christine was born
· Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Academic Achievement
In 1987, Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail earned her doctorate in higher education from the University of Southern California. Her dissertation focused on academically underprepared students in California community colleges, a topic that would define her life's work in expanding educational access for underserved populations.
Academic Achievement
In 1987, Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail earned her doctorate in higher education from the University of Southern California. Her dissertation focused on academically underprepared students in California community colleges, a topic that would define her life's work in expanding educational access for underserved populations.
Historic Appointment
In 1995, Dr. McPhail was named the first woman and first African American president of Cypress College in California. She served as president until June 1998, breaking racial and gender barriers in community college leadership and establishing a model for diversity in higher education administration.
Historic Appointment
In 1995, Dr. McPhail was named the first woman and first African American president of Cypress College in California. She served as president until June 1998, breaking racial and gender barriers in community college leadership and establishing a model for diversity in higher education administration.
Career Role
From 2004 to 2018, Dr. McPhail served as a leadership coach for Achieving the Dream, a national initiative focused on student success at community colleges. Over 14 years, she mentored college leaders and helped institutions develop data-driven strategies to close achievement gaps among disadvantaged students.
Career Role
From 2004 to 2018, Dr. McPhail served as a leadership coach for Achieving the Dream, a national initiative focused on student success at community colleges. Over 14 years, she mentored college leaders and helped institutions develop data-driven strategies to close achievement gaps among disadvantaged students.
Academic Leadership
Dr. McPhail served as the founding professor and director of Morgan State University's community college leadership doctoral program. This program trained a new generation of community college administrators, extending her influence on higher education beyond her own presidency.
Academic Leadership
Dr. McPhail served as the founding professor and director of Morgan State University's community college leadership doctoral program. This program trained a new generation of community college administrators, extending her influence on higher education beyond her own presidency.
Published Work
Dr. McPhail published Transformational Change in Community College: Becoming an Equity-Centered Institution through Routledge in 2021. The book synthesized her decades of research and practice in higher education equity, offering a framework for institutions committed to closing opportunity gaps.
Published Work
Dr. McPhail published Transformational Change in Community College: Becoming an Equity-Centered Institution through Routledge in 2021. The book synthesized her decades of research and practice in higher education equity, offering a framework for institutions committed to closing opportunity gaps.
University Presidency
On February 24, 2021, Dr. McPhail became the thirteenth president of St. Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She succeeded her late husband, Irving Pressley McPhail, who passed away in October 2020 due to COVID-19 complications just months into his presidency at the historically Black university.
University Presidency
On February 24, 2021, Dr. McPhail became the thirteenth president of St. Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She succeeded her late husband, Irving Pressley McPhail, who passed away in October 2020 due to COVID-19 complications just months into his presidency at the historically Black university.
Christine McPhail passed away
