Dr. Felecia M. Nave Appointed President & CEO of the 1890 Universities Foundation

Washington, D.C. – The Board of Directors of the 1890 Universities Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Felecia M. Nave as the Foundation’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2025.

Dr. Felecia M. Nave brings to this role more than two decades of transformative leadership in higher education. Most recently, as the Division Director for the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM within the Directorate for STEM Education at the National Science Foundation, she guided a $212 million national investment aimed at broadening participation and driving innovation in STEM.

Her distinguished career includes service as President of Alcorn State University, Provost and Vice Chancellor at North Carolina Central University, and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Prairie View A&M University. A chemist and passionate advocate for access in education, Dr. Nave is renowned for championing student success, expanding access to opportunity, mobilizing resources, securing significant philanthropic investments and forging bold partnerships that advance the mission and amplify the impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

As President & CEO, Dr. Nave will provide strategic direction for the Foundation, which mobilizes resources and fosters high-impact programming across the 19 land-grant universities of the 1890 system. She will lead efforts in organizational growth, fundraising, federal and private-sector engagement, and program development, ensuring the Foundation continues to amplify the collective voice and impact of 1890 institutions.

“Dr. Nave is a proven leader who understands the vital role our 1890 universities play in shaping the future of education, research, and community impact,” said Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, Chair of the 1890 Universities Foundation Board of Directors and President of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. “Her vision, energy, and commitment will help us expand the reach of the Foundation and ensure continued investment in our students, our universities, and our communities.”

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the 1890 Universities Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to advancing the core land-grant missions of teaching, research, and extension at 1890 universities. Under Dr. Nave’s leadership, the Foundation will continue to build transformational partnerships and drive collaborative impact across the system.