Norfolk, Va.— Norfolk State University President Tony Atwater has named former Acting President Kim Luckes as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Luckes’ appointment will enhance NSU’s day-to-day management of university services, operations, institutional effectiveness and planning. She will provide leadership for the vice presidents of finance and administration, student affairs, university advancement, research and economic development as well as enrollment management. From July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011, Luckes served as acting president, and prior to that she served as the liaison to the Board of Visitors and assistant to president.

“My appointment of Dr. Luckes has the support of the NSU Board of Visitors,” said NSU President Tony Atwater. “It represents the initial step in the establishment of a new administrative structure at NSU designed to strengthen institutional operations and facilitate my fundraising and outreach roles in support of the university.”

Luckes has more than 20 years of administrative experience in higher education. Prior to joining NSU, she served as executive vice president at Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C. where she was responsible for the day-to-day operations. Before assuming the position of executive vice president, she held the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs at St. Augustine’s. Luckes also served as director of human resources and executive assistant to the executive vice president and provost at Hampton University.

President Atwater will be working with NSU’s senior administration team to implement a new administrative model. Prior to Luckes’ appointment, Atwater announced the appointment of Dr. Sandra DeLoatch as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. Beginning August 10, DeLoatch will serve as the chief academic officer. In this capacity, she will oversee the Academic Affairs division and will report directly to the president. Atwater noted that “the academic success of NSU students and the academic enterprise will continue to be the university’s top priority.”