Background
Wilson, Blenda Jacqueline was born on January 28, 1941 in Woodbridge, New Jersey, United States. Daughter of Horace and Margaret (Brogsdale) Wilson.
Wilson, Blenda Jacqueline was born on January 28, 1941 in Woodbridge, New Jersey, United States. Daughter of Horace and Margaret (Brogsdale) Wilson.
AB, Cedar Crest College, 1962. AM, Seton Hall University, 1965. Doctor of Philosophy, Boston College, 1979.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Cedar Crest College, 1987. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Loretto Heights College, 1988. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Colorado Technology College, 1988.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), University Detroit, 1989. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Rutgers University, 1989. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Eastern Michigan University, 1990.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Cambridge College, 1991. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Schoolcraft College, 1992. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Marysville University, 1994.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Mount St. Mary's College, 1996. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Antioch University, 1999. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Cambridge College, 2001.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Salve Regina University, 2002. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Merrimack College, 2001. Doctor Public Service (honorary), University Massachusetts, 2002.
Doctor Public Service (honorary), Massachusetts College Liberal Arts, 2003.
Teacher Woodbridge Township Public Schools, 1962-1966. Executive director Middlesex County Economic Opportunity Corporation, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 1966-1969. Executive assistant to president Rutgers University, 1969-1972.
Senior associate dean Graduate School Education Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1972-1982. Vice president effective sector management Indiana Sector, Washington, 1982-1984. Executive director Colorado Commission Higher Education, Denver, 1984-1988.
Chancellor and professor public administration & education University Michigan, Dearborn, 1988-1992. President California State University, Northridge, 1992-1999, Nellie Mae Foundation, Quincy, Massachusetts, since 1999. American delegate United States/United Kingdom Dialogue About Quality Judgments in Higher Education.
Advisory board Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, Stanford Institute Higher Education Research, University Southern Colorado District 60 National Alliance, National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, 1988-1990. Board directors Alpha Capital Management. Member higher education colloquium American Council Education, visiting committee Division Continuing Education in Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard College, Pew Forum on K-12 Education Reform in the United States, The College Board, Federated Dorchester Neighborhood House, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
Board directors Partners Healthcare Systems, Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
Director University Detroit Jesuit High School, Northridge Hospital Medical Center, 1993-1999, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Union Bank, Jean Paul Getty Trust, James Irvine Foundation, 1996-1999, International Foundation Education and Self-Help, Achievement Council, Los Angeles. Director, vice chair Metropolitan Affairs Corporation. Executive board Detroit area council Boy Scouts American.
Board directors Commonwealth Fund, Henry Ford Hospital-Fairlane Center, Henry Ford Health System, Metropolitan Center for High Technology, United Way Southeastern Michigan. Member National Coalition 100 Black Women, Detroit, Race Relations Council Metropolitan Detroit, Women & Foundations, Greater Detroit Interfaith Round Table National Conference of Christians and Jews, Advisory Board Valley Cultural Center, Woodland Hills. Trustee associate Boston College.
Trustee emeritus Cambridge College. Trustee emeritus, board directors Foundation Center. Trustee Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, Sammy Davis Junior National Liver Institute.
Member American Association of University Women, Association Governing Boards (advisory council of president's), Education Commission of the States (student minority task force), American Association Higher Education (chair-elect), American Association State Colleges & Universities (committee on policies & purposes, academy leadership fellows selection committee), Association Black Professionals and Administrators, Association Black Women in Higher Education, Women Executives State Government, International Women's Forum, Michigan Women's Forum, Women's Economic Club Detroit, Economic Club, Rotary.
Married Louis Fair Junior.