Dr. Pernella Rowena Deams is an academic administrator, formerly serving in the role of Vice President for Student Engagement and Campus Life at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. She previously served in the role of Dean of Student Leadership, Conduct, and Health at Kentucky State University. Additional administrative experience includes Department Chair/Associate Professor of Psychology at Talladega College, in Talladega, Alabama and Department Head/Associate Professor of Sociology & Psychology at Grambling State University, in Grambling, Louisiana. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge), completing dual Bachelor of Science degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. Her Master of Science degree was completed in the CACREP-Accredited Program in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg). Dr. Deams earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in the APAAccredited Program in Counseling Psychology at Tennessee State University (Nashville).
Her clinical education includes internship placements at Vanderbilt University Psychological and Counseling Center, Vanderbilt Adult Psychiatry Center, and University of Memphis Center for Counseling, Learning, and Testing. As a life-long learner, she recently completed the Certifications in Post-Crisis Leadership and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace through the University of South Florida, Muma College of Business and the Women In Education Leadership Program through the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Pernella Deams is a Fellow of the Iota Cohort of the Higher Education Leadership Foundation (HELF), Leadership Institute and an Academic Leadership Academy Fellow of the Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium.
Dr. Deams engages in many areas of academic service; she previously served as a Tennessee Board of Regents Academic Auditor. In addition, Deams currently serves as a SACSCOC peer evaluator and also served as a member of the SACSCOC Board of Trustees Ad Hoc Committee on Substantive Change, representing all colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She provides executive level service as a newly appointed member of the Black Alliance for Colleges and Employers (BACE) Board and National Executive Council. With a background as a two-time Historically Black College and University graduate, Dr. Deams is drawn to serving within the HBCU Community and supporting the professional development of HBCU students. Deams considers herself to be an HBCU “Enthusiast-Advocate”; she is passionate about student mentorship and encouraging students to pursue graduate school.
Professional accolades include Kentucky State University Division of Student Engagement and Campus Life, Shining Star of the Semester (2019), Southern University Alumni Federation, Forty Under 40 Award (2019), Talladega College Student Choice Award–Favorite Professor (2019), Grambling State University Certificate of Excellence in Research Mentorship (2014), and Nashville State Community College Professional Service Award (2013). Pernella Deams was initiated in the Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and is a member of the Frankfort Alumnae Chapter. Together with her husband, Dr. Verontae L. Deams they have four children Kyra Milan-Elizabeth, Micah Isaiah-LaJon, Rhien Matthew-Reese, and Lauryn Elise-Michal.
