Wesleyan's 26th President,

Meaghan Blight

Meaghan Blight is the 26th President of Wesleyan College, the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women. She has more than 15 years of experience in advancement and as an executive in higher education in Canada’s university system. 

President Blight has served at Huron University College and the University of Calgary in roles such as Vice President of University Growth and Chief of Staff. She is credited with leading record domestic and international enrollment growth while increasing academic standards and creating programs focused on student well-being and success. In addition, she is committed to accelerating equality for women by providing students at Wesleyan with a rigorous academic experience in an environment designed to build the strength and resiliency to thrive.

President Blight moved to Macon from Canada with her husband, Kyle, her two active, kind, and witty sons, Jake and Cole, and her dogs, Ruby and Walter. 

 

The President’s Cabinet

Melody Blake

Provost

Since 2017, Dr. Melody Blake has served as provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. As provost, is also responsible for strategic planning, development of new programs, and leading a world class faculty in educating women.

Prior to serving Wesleyan Dr. Blake worked as provost at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She also served for three years as vice president of Mission Services at Goodwill of the Heartland. She spent 20 years in the classroom, teaching development and social psychology. A native of California, Blake earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her master’s degree and Ph.D. in social psychology from Claremont Graduate University. Her research areas of interests include assessment of academic programs, change management, and women’s friendships. mblake@wesleyancollege.edu

 

Tonya Parker

Chief Diversity Officer &
Dean for Equity & Inclusion/Title IX Coordinator

Tonya Parker '01 is the Chief Diversity Officer and Dean for Equity & Inclusion. Parker, a 2001 graduate of Wesleyan College, previously served as the director of education and outreach at the Tubman Museum of African American Art, History, and Culture, and as the executive camp and program director for Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Inc. Parker provides support, trainings, workshops and other educational opportunities for campus community members to be informed, engaged and intentional about inclusive behavior and practices. Parker is the campus Title IX Coordinator and is responsible for the implementation and management of the College's policies, procedures, investigations, and compliance efforts concerning harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and retaliation. Parker works with campus members to foster inclusivity, respect and responsibility through awareness, acceptance and appreciation of the unique individuals within our campus community. tparker@wesleyancollege.edu

 

Drew Davidson

VP of Enrollment, Marketing and Communications

Drew Davidson previously served as Associate Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Huron University College in London, Ontario. Drew Davidson led the development and implementation of Huron’s marketing and communications strategies supporting recruitment, career development, fundraising, and student services.

Before Huron, Drew was the Corporate Social Responsibility – Education Program Lead at IBM. She also spent several years working in the Government of Ontario, advising two premiers and three cabinet ministers on internal and external communications. Within government, she has held senior roles such as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Child and Youth Services, Chief of Staff to the Government House Leader, Director of Communications in the Ministry of Finance, and Issues Manager for the Premier of Ontario.

She has led speechwriting and executive communications projects and handled many large-scale multimedia marketing campaigns throughout her career. ddavidson@wesleyancollege.edu

 

Sarah McCarthy

Interim VP, Institutional Advancment

Prior to serving Wesleyan, Sarah McCarthy worked at Huron University in London, Ontario, where she led alumni relations and fundraising since March 2020.

Before joining Huron, McCarthy led operations at the top business school in Canada, Ivey Business School. She joined Ivey in 2003 and led prospect research and management before becoming Director of Advancement Operations, where she oversaw research, gift processing, donor stewardship, and records.

She has worked in development for more than 25 years, including roles in the annual fund, alumni relations and corporate and foundation relations at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and the State Universities of New York at Binghamton and Albany.

Sarah has served as a member of the board of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement – Canada and currently serves as a volunteer at the Association of Professional Fundraisers – London, Ontario & Region.

She is the recipient of several awards, including the APRA Canada Award for Prospect Research, the APRA International Researcher of the Year Award, and the CCAE Prix d’Excellence Award in Donor Relations. In addition, Sarah authored a chapter in the book Prospect Research in Canada.

Sarah earned a BA degree in English magna cum laude from Siena College (Albany, NY) and a Master of Public Administration degree from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, the State University of New York at Albany. smccarthy@wesleyancollege.edu

 

Rick Maier

Interim Chief Financial Officer

Rick Maier has served as Wesleyan’s Vice President for Fiscal Affairs and Treasurer from January 2000 through July 2016 and possesses extensive knowledge and understanding of the inner workings of the College. We are thrilled to welcome him back to campus to assist through this transition as we search for a full time CFO.