DR. IVORY BERRY

What does it mean to be a Southernite?

To be a Southernite is to know that you are equipped with the right tools in your “toolbox" to embrace the fullness of life with competence, confidence, clarity, character, compassion, consciousness, charisma, and community.

Ivory's Bio:

Dr. Ivory M. Berry is a native of Alexandria, LA and a proud 2003 graduate of Peabody Magnet High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science (2007) in Mathematics and minor in Psychology from the Honors College at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and continued advanced studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a Master of Arts (2008) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (2014) in Educational Policy Studies with a concentration in socio-cultural studies. After completing his PhD, he decided to pursue a career in higher education administration. Currently, Dr. Berry is the Assistant Dean for Student Success for the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, located just outside of Washington, D.C. In this professional role, Dr. Berry provides senior leadership in the areas of: student retention; academic advising; students of concern; student engagement; scholarships; new student orientation; student communications; degree completion; academic policies, procedures, and exceptions; appeals and grievances; and other student affairs functions.

​In 2018, Dr. Berry was selected as Supervisor of the Year at George Mason University. Dr. Berry’s research focuses on the effectiveness of high impact retention practices on underprepared and underperforming college students and structural barriers to college student success. Dr. Berry is a life member of the Southern University Alumni Federation; serves as the assistant treasurer for the Washington, D.C. Alumni Chapter and the Vice Chair for Strategic Initiatives for the Southern University Young Alumni Network (SUYAN); and is a 2019 Southern University Alumni Federation 40 Under Forty, Cohort Deux, honoree.