DSU announces key leadership appointments

by Nathan Duff

Cleveland, MS (07/15/2024) — Contact: Christy Riddle FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4336

Email: criddle@deltastate.edu

DSU announces key leadership appointments

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Edwin Craft as the new Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Craft brings over two decades of leadership experience in higher education and a deep commitment to the university's mission and strategic goals.

Craft has served Delta State with distinction for the past thirteen years, most recently as Associate Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Information Officer (CIO). In this role, he has overseen facilities, Information Technology, and the Bologna Performing Arts Center, establishing himself as a respected leader both on campus and within the broader community.

"Dr. Craft's extensive experience in finance, strategic planning, and organizational leadership makes him uniquely qualified to step into this critical role," said Delta State President Dr. Daniel J. Ennis. "His deep understanding of our financial systems and his proven ability to collaborate across the university will be invaluable as we continue to advance our strategic initiatives."

Craft's career at Delta State has been marked by significant achievements in financial planning and reporting. He developed the university's budgeting process and a trial balance reporting system that has streamlined financial operations, resulting in more efficient fiscal year-end closings and audit processes. His innovative financial dashboards and models have provided crucial insights into university revenue and expenditures, supporting data-driven decision-making.

Craft said, "Delta State has such a rich heritage, and I am honored and humbled to be able to serve the university in my new role. I appreciate the opportunity that has been afforded to me by Dr. Ennis and I look forward to working with Delta State, the community, our students and alumni to make the university an amazing place to work and attend school. Higher Education plays such a vital role in the lives of those that it serves, and I am grateful for the opportunity to Join in and Stand out here at Delta State."

In addition to his financial expertise, Craft has demonstrated a strong commitment to collaborative leadership. His transformative approach has fostered relationships across the institution, driving common strategically driven goals. His open-door policy and willingness to engage with staff and faculty at all levels have been hallmarks of his leadership style.

Craft holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Western Kentucky University, a Master of Business Administration from Western Kentucky University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. His academic background and extensive professional experience make him an exemplary choice for this pivotal role at Delta State University.

Kelvin Davis will take over from Craft as the Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration, and he will assume the additional responsibility of Interim Human Resources Director. Previously, Davis served as the university comptroller. He is a three-time Delta State graduate and serves as a National Association of College and University Business Officers Fellow among many other notable achievements. Davis is well known to the university community and has led projects to help transform the university's financial reporting processes, ensuring timely report submissions and clean audits.

Davis said, "I look forward to serving my university in this new capacity. I am reminded of a quote from Langston Hughes, who said, 'Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.'"

Delta State also welcomes Arlene Wesley Cash as the new Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management. Cash brings decades of higher education experience to Delta State. During her two-decade career, she led enrollment and admissions programs at Frostburg State University in Maryland, Guilford College in North Carolina, and Spelman College in Georgia, and has most recently served as a Registry consultant at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California.

Cash said, "I am excited about the work ahead of us to create the inaugural enrollment management division for Delta State. The driving focus will be the coming together of all entities of the university in support of the recruitment, retention, graduation, and career preparation of each of our students."

Cash holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from Keuka College. She has also completed the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard Graduate School of Education and holds an Ethical Leadership Certification from the Maryland State Ethics Commission.

Cutline 1: Dr. Edwin Craft is the new Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Delta State.

Cutline 2: Kelvin Davis is the new Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration and Interim Human Resources Director at Delta State.

Cutline 3: Arlene Wesley Cash is the new Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management at Delta State.

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