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| Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D. |
For the past two years, Ridgeway has served as assistant dean for student affairs, a role he describes as a period of discovery and adjustment. “I would summarize my last two years in Student Affairs as a season of acclimation,” he said. “You quickly learn that nothing repeats itself, as many of the events and courses are offered only once a semester. It really takes a full calendar year to gain a foundational understanding of the College of Medicine.”
That understanding — and the confidence it fostered — has positioned Ridgeway to take the lead as associate dean following the retirement of Kelly Roveda, M.D. At a pivotal time in the medical school’s history, Ridgeway sees his new role as an opportunity to shape the student experience in a meaningful way.
“It’s an exciting time in the Whiddon COM with the new building coming and the expansion of our class size over the next several years, so I am thrilled about the opportunity to serve in this role,” he said. “Dr. Roveda was a great mentor and teacher to me, leaving behind a solid legacy to build on and an excellent team of experts to work with and do the work to support our students’ experience.”
Ridgeway is already thinking strategically, balancing continuity with progress. His short-term priority is to bring a sense of calm and stability amid ongoing changes. “The immediate goal is always to assess what should absolutely not change and where there are opportunities for growth or enhancement,” he said.
Looking further ahead, Ridgeway hopes to expand the Office of Student Affairs’ offerings in several key areas: “I would like to expand the services we provide around career exploration, specialty advising, and research opportunities across all four years of the curriculum.”
“Laventrice brings a genuine passion for supporting our students’ personal and professional growth,” said John V. Marymont, M.D., MBA, dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs. “He exemplifies what it means to be a student-centered leader, and I’m confident the Office of Student Affairs will thrive under his direction.”
A three-time graduate of the University of South Alabama, Ridgeway earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling and a National Certified Counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
Ridgeway previously served as coordinator of student disability services at USA and later as director of the Center for Educational Accessibility and Disability Resources.
