Advertise & Recruit on HBCU CONNECT The #1 way to reach the HBCU community — 300K+ monthly visitors & 1.5M members View the Media Kit →
Quick Search

Active Bloggers

HBCU CONNECT HBCU CONNECT
Central State University class of 1995
Reginald Claremont Reginald Claremont
Clark Atlanta University class of 1998
Randi Payton Randi Payton
University of the District of Columbia class of 1982
James Gray James Gray
Prairie View A&M University class of 1995
Joel Savage Joel Savage
class of 1993
Roger Gates Roger Gates
Hampton University class of 1995
Ray Oster Ray Oster
University of Houston class of 2002
LaMarr Blackmon LaMarr Blackmon
Cal St Univ, Long Beach class of 1992
P C P C
class of

Florida Memorial University Makes History with First Female Athletic Director

Florida Memorial University Makes History with First Female Athletic Director
Posted By: Roger Gates on March 25, 2026


Florida Memorial University has made history by appointing Chandra Dorsey-Felton as its new Director of Athletics, marking the first time a woman has held this prestigious position at the Miami Gardens institution.

The announcement represents a groundbreaking moment for the historically Black university, which was founded in 1879. University President William McCormick praised the appointment as both historic and strategic for the Lions' athletic program.

"This marks a historic and defining moment for Florida Memorial University," President McCormick stated. "Chandra has demonstrated exceptional vision, discipline, and a deep commitment to the holistic success of our student athletes. Under her leadership, the roar of the Lions will be louder, prouder, and more impactful than ever before."

Proven Leadership Experience

Dorsey-Felton brings an impressive 25-year track record in collegiate athletics leadership to her new role.



Her journey at FMU began when she was appointed Deputy Athletic Director for Student Success & Compliance in September 2024, followed by her promotion to Interim Director of Athletics in October 2025.

During her tenure at FMU, she has successfully managed:

  • 13 intercollegiate athletic programs
  • Athletic compliance and NAIA regulations
  • Student-athlete eligibility requirements
  • Student-athlete development initiatives
  • Academic success programs for athletes

National Coaching Background

Before joining FMU's administration, Dorsey-Felton established herself as a respected Division I women's basketball coach and administrator. Her coaching career included stops at several major institutions:

  • Tulane University
  • Texas State University
  • Wichita State University
  • McNeese State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • University of Tulsa

Throughout her coaching career, she earned recognition for building competitive programs while maintaining strong academic standards among her student-athletes.

Vision for the Future

Dorsey-Felton expressed her commitment to continuing FMU's tradition of excellence both on and off the field. "Florida Memorial University has a proud tradition of excellence, and I am honored to lead this department," she said. "Our focus will remain on developing student-athletes who succeed in the classroom, in competition, and in the community."

Her appointment reflects Florida Memorial University's dedication to breaking barriers and fostering inclusive leadership while maintaining the highest standards of athletic and academic achievement.

The university continues to prepare students for leadership, service, and success in the global community through its comprehensive academic and athletic programs.


If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email!
Comments
Please Login To Post Comments...
Email:
Password:

 
More From This Author
Sen. Raphael Warnock Secures $97.1 Million Federal Investment for HBCU STEM Programs
NCCU Awarded $4.9 Million to Accelerate Its Path to R2 Research Status
America's Next Historically Black Medical School Earns Preliminary Accreditation
Memphis Legend Project Pat to Headline LeMoyne-Owen College's "LOCHELLA" Homecoming Music Festival
Your Finance Career Starts With Connections. Meet 16 Major Firms at The Future of Finance Event!
Trichomoniasis in Black Men: Silent, Common and Curable
Latest News
NCCU Awarded $4.9 Million to Accelerate Its Path to R2 Research Status

NCCU Awarded $4.9 Million to Accelerate Its Path to R2 Research Status

DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has been awarded $4.9 million from the U.S. Department of Education's Research and Development Infrastructure Grant Program to expand its ...more
Roger Gates • 129 Views • October 14th, 2026
America's Next Historically Black Medical School Earns Preliminary Accreditation

America's Next Historically Black Medical School Earns Preliminary Accreditation

Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, the only HBCU college of medicine in the Gulf South, has earned preliminary accreditation from the LCME and will begin recruiting its inaugural class of 2027. ...more
Roger Gates • 155 Views • October 14th, 2026
Register Now For MissionTech: Virtual Hiring Event For Military Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, and Military Spouses

Register Now For MissionTech: Virtual Hiring Event For Military Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, and Military Spouses

Sharing an upcoming opportunity for veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses interested in tech! Maximus is hosting MissionTech on Oct. 28, a virtual hiring event where attendees ...more
Reginald Claremont • 212 Views • October 13th, 2026
HBCUConnect Releases Summer/Fall 2026 Alumni Magazine Celebrating HBCU Excellence, Career Opportunities, and Culture

HBCUConnect Releases Summer/Fall 2026 Alumni Magazine Celebrating HBCU Excellence, Career Opportunities, and Culture

Explore the latest issue featuring the Top 50 Employers for HBCU Graduates, alumni success, HBCU research, homecoming traditions, and more. HBCUConnect is excited to announce the release of its Summer ...more
Reginald Claremont • 211 Views • October 13th, 2026
Sucré Couture and National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Celebrate Spelman Sisterhood with Undaunted By The Fight

Sucré Couture and National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Celebrate Spelman Sisterhood with Undaunted By The Fight

Sucré Couture, in collaboration with the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC), celebrates the bold spirit, resilience, authenticity, and enduring sisterhood of Spelman alumnae throu ...more
Reginald Claremont • 148 Views • October 13th, 2026
Popular News
Louisiana Upholds Life Sentence to Black Man For Stealing Hedge Trimmers in 1997

Louisiana Upholds Life Sentence to Black Man For Stealing Hedge Trimmers in 1997

While this may not be HBCU related news, as an AFrican American male, I had to share this appalling decision by the Louisiana court system to keep a man in jail with a life sentence for such a petty c ...more
Roger Gates • 406,026 Views • August 6th, 2020
Blonde Instagram Model Goes Viral for Graduating from HBCU and Pledging Delta Sigma Theta!

Blonde Instagram Model Goes Viral for Graduating from HBCU and Pledging Delta Sigma Theta!

A blonde woman is going viral this morning, for graduating from A Historically Black College while pledging a Black sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. @Blonde_HBCU The woman, an IG ...more
Roger Gates • 190,378 Views • November 30th, 2020
Apple to Invest over $40 Million Dollars into HBCUs - Time to major in Computer Science!!!

Apple to Invest over $40 Million Dollars into HBCUs - Time to major in Computer Science!!!

On Tuesday Johnny C. Taylor, President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund stopped by “NewsOne Now” to make a major announcement that could literally change the lives of thousands of HBCU st ...more
Roger Gates • 131,121 Views • March 11th, 2015
North Carolina HBCU Unity Day

North Carolina HBCU Unity Day

Shaw University - Elizabeth City State University - Johnson C. Smith University - Fayetteville State University - Livingstone College - North Carolina A&T State University - North Carolina Central Uni ...more
Reginald Claremont • 118,825 Views • August 8th, 2016
Black Billionaire Robert F. Smith to  Donate $50 Million to Support STEM Students at HBCUs

Black Billionaire Robert F. Smith to Donate $50 Million to Support STEM Students at HBCUs

The Student Freedom Initiative announced today a $50 million personal gift from Robert F. Smith, philanthropist and Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. This gift matches the initial fu ...more
Roger Gates • 86,745 Views • October 22nd, 2020
Please Give Us a Like on Facebook!
Featured Members