Dr. Fontaine assumed the position of Chief of Staff in the Office of the President on September 1, 2010. She is responsible to the President for the effective development and implementation of the university’s strategic plan, the optimization of processes and resources to fulfill the university’s mission, and the effective flow of communications, internally and externally. Dr. Fontaine represents the university when the President is absent from campus or unavailable.

Dr. Fontaine previously served as Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Effectiveness and Director of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment at Thomas Nelson Community College. Other key positions held include: Chief of Staff, Campus Executive Administrator and Vice Provost for Student Affairs at the University of the Virgin Islands, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Elizabeth City State University, and teaching positions at Central Michigan, Elizabeth City State, Christopher Newport and Hampton universities. Prior to joining the academy, Dr. Fontaine had a successful career with Verizon Communications, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA. She holds a Ph.D. in Administration/Management from Walden University, and a M.B.A. with Highest Honors and a B.S. in Business Administration with Honors from Hampton University. Dr. Fontaine currently serves on the Town and Gown Commission for the City of Hampton, VA, Rotary Club of Oyster Point for Newport News, and is the Region 3 Director for the American Association of Women in Community Colleges.

Ms. Thompson serves as the Legislative and Community Liaison in the Office of the President. Her responsibilities include developing and maintaining effective relationships as the principal contact for government and community related activities that result in positive measurable outcomes for the University and its constituencies. Other duties include developing, coordinating and publicizing the University’s legislative agenda, strategic initiatives and/or views to the Commonwealth of Virginia state legislature, local city councils and governments, other federal, state and local governmental agencies, local civic leagues, various boards that include University representation and to the general public.

Ms. Thompson has been employed with the Commonwealth of Virginia for eighteen years. Prior to her appointment in December 2007 in the President’s Office, Ms. Thompson was employed in NSU’s University Counsel’s Office. Her state government work also includes employment at Old Dominion University and the Office of the Attorney General. Ms. Thompson holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Hampton University and a master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University.

As Office Manager/Board Liaison, Mrs. Allbritton provides support to the Board of Visitors, President’s Executive Cabinet and the Executive Council. She has been with the President’s Office since July 2000 and prior to that worked for the Office of Legislative Affairs and the Athletics Foundations for approximately six years.

As an active member of the NSU Association of Educational Office Professionals, she has served as Vice President, Administrative Liaison and chaired numerous committees. She is also a member of the State and National Associations of Educational Office Professionals and served as a member of the National Long-Range Planning Committee, the Higher Education Committee and the Public Relations and Publications Committee. Mrs. Allbritton attended Norfolk State University.

Mrs. Bennett serves as the Scheduler in the Office of the President. She manages the daily appointment calendar and coordinates all travel for the President and the Executive Assistant to the President. Mrs. Bennett also provides oversight of social functions.

Mrs. Bennett has been employed with the Commonwealth of Virginia for thirty-four years, with thirty-two of those years at Norfolk State University and two prior years with the State Department of Education in Richmond, VA. She received an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Secretarial Science from Southside Virginia Community College, Alberta, Virginia in 1971.

Mrs. Bennett is a member of the Norfolk State University Association of Educational Office Professionals.

Mrs. Gaymon serves as the Financial Services Specialist I in the Office of the President. Her responsibilities include financial accounting, tracking correspondences, conference room scheduling and maintaining business and community databases.

Prior to her appointment in April 2004, Mrs. Gaymon was employed by NSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship. She is a member of the Norfolk State University Association of Educational Office Professionals.