Published Oct. 23, 2020
The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System approved Valerie S.
Fields, Ed.D., vice president for Student Affairs at the University of Louisiana Monroe
at the Oct. 23, 2020, board meeting.
Fields is the first woman to serve in a vice president’s position in the university’s
89-year history. Fields was appointed interim vice president in June and assumed the
role July 1 upon the retirement of former Vice President Camile Currier.
This appointment brought Fields back to ULM, where she was director of Student Development
from 1996-2003, then named assistant dean for Student Life and Leadership. She served
in that position for two years.
Fields acknowledged both her professional accomplishment and the responsibility of
being a woman in an executive leadership role at a pivotal time in society and at
ULM.
“On this great Talons Out Thursday, I am humbled and excited to be appointed to the
position of vice president for Student Affairs,” she said.
“As the first female vice president in the history of the university, I am reminded
of a statement made by the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, ‘Women
will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing
up the next generation.’ This speaks to President Berry’s vision of changing lives
on the bayou. It is great to be a part of the change,” Fields said.
ULM President Ronald Berry, D.B.A., requested the board waive the required national
search to fill the position in light of Fields’ expertise and accomplishments since
joining the university.
“We are very fortunate to have a Student Affairs leader with Dr. Fields’ experience,
intelligence, and passion for student success,” Berry said. “She brings a level of
success and professionalism to the leadership team that will be impactful for us all.”
Fields, a native of Winnsboro, holds two degrees from ULM, a Master of Education,
Administration and Supervision, (1992), and an Education Specialist, Administration
and Supervision (1997). Fields received her undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Early
Childhood and Elementary Education from Southern University Baton Rouge and received
her Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (Instructional Technology) from
Louisiana Tech University.
Fields served as chief academic officer/vice president of Academic Affairs and chief
Student Affairs officer at Denmark Technical College in Denmark, S.C. (2014-16). At
South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C., Fields was assistant/associate,
interim, and vice president for Student Affairs (2006-12) and associate professor
and middle school coordinator (2010-14).
She was executive director of Louisiana Campus Compact for the Louisiana Board of
Regents at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond (2005-06).
Fields founded Valiant Achieving Leaders, LLC, an education management consulting
company, in 2016.
