Dr. Cecily Barker McDaniel brings nearly two decades of experience as a professor, nonprofit leader, and community advocate, blending deep academic expertise with a passion for cultivating authentic relationships and inspiring collaborative solutions.

Known as a connector, Cecily’s superpower lies in finding common ground and transforming it into meaningful partnerships that drive institutional excellence and student success. Her career has consistently centered on strengthening HBCUs, amplifying marginalized voices, and creating spaces where equity, trust, and innovation intersect.

A proud New Orleans native and second-generation HBCU graduate, Cecily earned her B.A. from Xavier University of Louisiana, with a major in Mass Communications/English Minor, and her Ph.D. in African American Women’s History from The Ohio State University. She is dedicated to ensuring that HBCUs remain powerful engines of opportunity for future generations. Cecily and her husband, Michael, are the proud parents of two adult children, and they share their home with two dog babies, Satchel Paige and Zora Neale