Shawna Acker-Ball

Shawna Acker-Ball, PhD is an accomplished leadership professional with extensive experience in education administration, policy management, and workforce development. She applies strategic leadership to strengthen and expand programs within higher education institutions and agencies, while building effective business process improvement strategies that streamline workflow and advance organizational objectives. Dr. Acker-Ball is highly skilled in curriculum design, program assessment, and the interpretation and implementation of higher education regulatory and statutory policies. Her career includes collaborative work with colleges and universities, regional accrediting bodies, and state regulatory agencies nationwide. Dr. Acker-Ball currently serves as Vice President of Scholarships and Programs (S&P) at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). In this role, she oversees the daily operations of a diverse portfolio of outcome-driven programs that support student access to higher education, improve student retention through scholarship funding, and promote personal and academic development. Her leadership also extends to initiatives that provide resources to UNCF member institutions and other HBCUs, strengthening staff and faculty professional growth and institutional capacity. Throughout her career, Dr. Acker-Ball has held key roles at Bowie State University (BSU), the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). She has also served as an adjunct graduate professor for the UMGC School of Business. Dr. Acker-Ball earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College, a Master of Arts in Human Resource and Organizational Development from Bowie State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Policy, Planning, and Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park.