Cheree Meeks, Ph.D

Dr. Cheree Meeks is the Assistant Dean for Programs, Diversity and Inclusion. She leads the Honors College efforts and initiatives to create and foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment in the college. This includes assessment to guide intentional development of programs and experiences to address recruitment, access, support, and retention of underrepresented students, faculty, and staff. Dr. Meeks incorporates equity and inclusion-based student affairs practice to review policies that contribute to a culture of inclusion.

Dr. Meeks oversees the First Year Experience and is responsible for creating and developing programs and activities to assist students with the transition to college. Dr. Meeks leads the selection of the common reading book each year and designs complementary programming, contributes to planning for Honors Orientation, coordinates the First Year Project research opportunity, and teaches a unique first-year seminar that explores the ways in which policing and incarceration impact communities of color. Dr. Meeks has taught at four institutions, including courses focused on college transitions, learning strategies, career explorations, and foundations of leadership.

Dr. Meeks earned her BA in Political Science and MA in Student Development and Postsecondary Education from The University of Iowa. She completed a doctorate in Higher Education and Organizational Change from Benedictine University in 2016. Dr. Meeks’ research explores the experiences of African American mothers working in student affairs, with a special focus on race and gender as intersecting identities.

In her free time, Dr. Meeks enjoys music, dancing, reading, and writing. She hopes to travel more with her family. She is an avid Law & Order fan and collects elephants (a tribute to her beloved Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.)