Provost

Allyson L. Watson , Ph.D., currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Florida A&M University (FAMU). In this role, she provides oversight and leadership for the University’s academic programs.

Dr. Watson served as dean for the College of Education at FAMU since 2019. She formerly served as interim chief academic officer, dean (USFSP), assistant dean, professor and Northeastern State's first named endowed chair. Her educational background includes master’s (M.Ed.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in educational administration, curriculum, and supervision from the University of Oklahoma.

Her baccalaureate degree is from Bethune-Cookman University in Elementary Education. Prior to her career at Northeastern State University, Dr. Watson served as Assistant Director at the University of Oklahoma-Center for Educational & Community Renewal (now K-20 Center). Additionally, her educational career and experience include teaching 1st-8th grade in the urban areas. Dr. Watson has focused her research on urban education, faculty of color in higher education, and urban school and university partnerships. Her teaching experience includes courses such as educational research, advanced educational measurements and statistics, public school relations, and instructional strategies.

Dr. Watson founded Teaching & Urban Reform Network (TURN), a program that prepares pre-service teachers in urban education and encourages effective pedagogical practices. This work has served as a platform for successfully acquiring grants, research presentations, journals, and books. Watson is the 2019 recipient of the Legacy Award, Gathering of Women Award, STEM Woman of the Year; 2014 Pinnacle Woman of the Year awardee from the Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women, Oklahoma Magazine “40 under 40” most influential Oklahoman's and NSU College of Education Outstanding Faculty in Service award.

Dr. Watson is an inaugural alumnus from the Gates Millennium Scholars program, and former (2010-13) national alumni president of the Gates Millennium Scholars Alumni Association. Dr. Watson believes that her job as an educator is to empower others to believe in themselves and their capacity to reach their true potential.