This month marks a notable moment in higher education history. For the first time on record, two African-Americans, Alexandria J. Maloney and Kem Turner, have been appointed as trustees at John Cabot University (JCU) on the European continent. Their selection isn’t just a personal achievement; it reflects growing recognition of their expertise and the value they bring to the global academic community.
Both Maloney and Turner were unanimously voted onto the board in recognition of their achievements in international affairs and their continued engagement as alumni of the university. As trustees, they now sit alongside Ambassadors, global CEOs, legal scholars, clergymen, former congressmen, philanthropists, and changemakers; leaders who collectively provide strategic oversight, ensure long-term financial health, and uphold the mission of the institution.
As a trustee, Maloney brings a hands-on, mission-driven approach to board leadership, mobilizing alumni for fundraising campaigns, spearheading outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and actively engaging student leaders on campus. She launched efforts to expand JCU’s global footprint through a yearly study abroad webinar, inviting all 115 HBCUs, and also supports institutional advancement by organizing alumni contributions for student scholarships at events like the spring NYC gala.
On campus, she serves as a bridge between students and the board, facilitating leadership roundtables with groups such as the Black and African Student Association (BASA) and the Women’s Leadership Initiative, which she founded as an undergraduate. Maloney also contributes her expertise to help the university identify global partnership opportunities aligned with its mission—ranging from educational access for displaced women to initiatives in international civic dialogue and public service.
For Maloney, the significance runs deep. “This is bigger than a title,” she reflects. “This is an opportunity to learn from and give back to the university that helped shape my worldview and my life trajectory.”
Both alumnae of the university bring something important to the board: a reminder that inclusion in leadership isn’t just a goal. It is a necessity. When decision-makers reflect the people they serve, everyone gains. And for every first-generation grad, young alum, or student still trying to find their path, this sends a clear message: “You don’t need to have all the answers to lead or to make an impact. You just need to begin”.
Maloney extended deep gratitude to her colleagues on the Board of Trustees, especially Kristin Finklestein-Frohring, whose advocacy and leadership helped make this milestone possible. “Thank you for believing in my potential and for investing in a future where more voices are heard and valued.”
This milestone is not simply personal but part of a shared legacy. It affirms the power of education to build bridges across borders, and the role that public service, cross-cultural exchange, and alumni leadership can play in sustaining the institutions that shape global citizens.
Alumni involvement isn’t just about nostalgia, it’s about responsibility. Trustees help shape the direction of universities, influence policies, support innovation, and preserve the integrity of the academic mission for generations to come. It’s one of the most consequential ways to give back.
Maloney and Turner’s historic appointments offer a model of what’s possible when leadership is reimagined, when service is valued, and when the doors to governance are opened wide enough for new legacies to walk through. It further strengthens the fact that progress is not made in isolation. It is built collectively, through courage, collaboration, and commitment to those who come next.
To learn more about John Cabot University, visit www.johncabot.edu
