By Hazel Scott/ASU
At Morris Brown College (MBC) in Atlanta, a remarkable connection was forged in 2022 that would open new doors for students and faculty alike. Dr. Joycelyn Hill, MBC director of Institutional Effectiveness, played a key role in building a bridge between her employer and Alabama State University.
Dr. Kevin James, President of Morris Brown College, reached out to ASU to establish a mutually beneficial pipeline for the college’s undergraduate students to advance their education at ASU, formally linking Hill's current employer to her doctoral alma mater.
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, that came to fruition when ASU and Morris Brown College signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ASU’s campus. Through this partnership, ASU and MBC reaffirm their shared mission to expand educational access and equip students with the skills and credentials needed for successful careers.
“I feel honored and motivated, knowing my work contributed to a lasting impact in higher education and resulted in the partnership of two great institutions: Morris Brown College and my alma mater, Alabama State University,” she said proudly.
This partnership, Hill noted, demonstrates how bridging the gap between her personal academic experience and her employer’s goals directly aligned her doctoral work with the institution’s capacity for strategic partnerships.
A Journey of Growth and Connection at ASU
Hill earned her bachelor's degree from Alabama State in 2013, continuing a family legacy that began when her mother graduated in 1986. Nearly a decade later, in 2022, she returned to ASU to pursue further education online, culminating in her 2026 graduation with a doctoral degree.
Her path to advanced studies began unexpectedly. While working at the Alabama State Bar and contemplating law school, she received advice that shifted her focus: instead of starting over, why not ascend higher? This led her to explore graduate programs, where ASU reached out, encouraging her to apply. The support she found was overwhelming and much-needed, guiding her through unfamiliar doctoral territory and helping her find her academic direction.
Her journey didn't stop there. An internship with Dr. Tanjula Petty, ASU vice president of Institutional Effectiveness, Strategic Initiatives and Transformation, introduced her to higher education and accreditation, sparking a passion that shaped her career. The course on policies profoundly changed her worldview, inspiring her to pursue institutional advancement and research. This curiosity paved the way to a role at Morris Brown, where she is helping rebuild an institution that lost accreditation for 20 years, but has since received reaffirmation through 2031.
Amid all the exciting developments, Dr. Hill celebrated a personal milestone. Her dissertation, focusing on the lived experiences of Black women working in Institutional Research and Assessment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), was honored as the Dissertation of the Year in the Qualitative-Based Method track by Alabama State University.
Reflecting on her experiences, she stated that the ASU and Morris Brown collaboration bridges the resource gaps that isolate institutions might face.
“Bridging the gap is why this partnership is so important. It eliminates barriers. It demonstrates the impact of creating clear pathways for Morris Brown students to continue their educational journeys. By combining their strengths, ASU and Morris Brown foster better research opportunities and career outcomes for students.”