Dr. Paulette Dillard
Dr. Paulette Dillard, the 18th President of Shaw University, has a rich teaching history having taught biology for over 20 years at various institutions. Prior to her appointment as Shaw’s interim president, she served as its vice president for academic affairs.
During her tenure at Shaw University, Dr. Dillard served as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, department chair for natural sciences and mathematics, and as an associate professor of biology. She also has served as coordinator of undergraduate research infrastructure, and co-director of the academic enrichment programs for the National Institutes of Health funded National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions project.
Dr. Dillard also served as a research mentor for interns as part of the Shaw in Jamaica-Mon International Student Research Training Project, a collaborative partnership with The University of the West Indies. During the summer, Dr. Dillard and the student research interns spent six weeks in Kingston, Jamaica, conducting research and examining the knowledge, skills and attitudes of Jamaican men of African descent who were diagnosed with prostate cancer. This study was of interest to Dr. Dillard since it is well documented that Jamaica men have the highest mortality rate from prostate cancer when compared with other ethnic groups.
Dr. Dillard serves on the boards for the Carolina Small Business Development Fund and the Dorothea Dix Conservancy. She has been involved with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center and the LaunchRALEIGH initiatives since inception. Throughout her career, Dr. Dillard has served on the boards of a number of professional and community organizations.
Dr. Dillard grew up in Mount Airy, NC. She earned a bachelor of science degree in biology at Barber Scotia College in Concord, NC, and received a master of science degree in biology from Tennessee State University. She went on to earn an MBA from the Jack Massey School of Business at Belmont University and a Ph.D. in biological sciences from Clark Atlanta University (CAU), Atlanta, GA. Dr. Dillard completed postdoctoral training at the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development at CAU. She was married to the late Rev. Moses C. Dillard Jr., a renowned musician and social activist. She is a member of First Baptist Church, Wilmington Street in Raleigh, NC.