Dr. Marnel Niles Goins is Dean of the School of Communication at American University.
Marnel is a native of Philadelphia, PA and a graduate of J. R. Masterman High School. She attended Oakwood College (now University) in Huntsville, Alabama, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Communication and minoring in Mathematics. She earned a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Small Group and Organizational Communication from Howard University in Washington, DC and shortly thereafter, moved to Fresno, California, where she was tenured and promoted to Professor in the Department of Communication at California State University, Fresno.
After Fresno State, Marnel went to Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, first as Associate Dean, then Dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities, where she was the Chief Administrator of three Schools: Humanities/Interdisciplinary Studies; Science, Mathematics, and Engineering; and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Under her stellar leadership, the College established four new majors, improved retention and enrollment, and significantly increased fundraising and faculty scholarship production.
Marnel joined American University in July 2024 as Dean of the School of Communication and Professor of Communication. Acting Provost Vicky Wilkins stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Marnel Niles Goins to the American University community. We are fortunate to have such a distinguished scholar, engaging teacher, and collaborative leader joining our leadership team.”
Marnel is a Life Member and President of the National Communication Association and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is married to Matthew Goins, creator and owner of Puzzle Huddle, and has three children.
“Dr. Marnel Niles Goins is an experienced leader, educator, and communicator who will be an incredible partner for AU’s School of Communication’s faculty, staff, and students.”
— Sylvia Burwell, Past President of American University
Selected Accomplishments
At Marymount, a number of new academic programs have been developed under Marnel’s leadership, including a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and a B.S. in Neuroscience. Also new is a concentration in Sports Communication, as well as a 4+1 M.A. Psychology to Forensic and Legal Psychology program, which enables students to earn a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Forensic and Legal Psychology over five years of study at Marymount. This program facilitates a student’s transition from a broad-based psychology degree into a flexible, customizable and interdisciplinary M.A. program that concludes with a thesis or an advanced internship practicum that addresses the student’s professional goals. In addition, Marnel increased fundraising for her College by 630% in one year. She also increased faculty grant applications by more than $5.5 million and faculty grant awards by more than $1.6 million over a two year period.
At California State University, Fresno, Marnel was a member of the steering committee that implemented the campus’s First Year Experience (FYE) program in 2009. The FYE program placed first-generation college students in a year-long cohort to foster a sense of belonging and increase their likelihood of graduating college within five years. She created Fresno State’s African American Edge Initiative, a program designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of African American students, who have had significantly lower rates of graduation from Fresno State than the majority of their counterparts. She completed a number of service-learning trainings and, as Coordinator for second-year teaching associates in the Department of Communication, required that all of her teaching associates implement service-learning into their courses. There are a number of additional student-centered programs that she created or participated in, including Fresno State’s TEDxFresnoState and DISCOVERe tablet programs–a program designed to close the digital divide between students from all backgrounds.
Speaking Engagements
Marnel enjoys speaking to students, administrators, and other diverse audiences of all sizes. Her keynote presentations include:
The Value of Mentorship. Capital Partners for Education Annual Gala. May 2022.
Moving Outside Our Zone of Comfort. Presidential Address. Western States Communication Association. February 2022.
The Advocacy Requirement. Keynote Speaker. Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society. Marymount University. April 2021.
On Being Black and Angry: Tales of What an Inclusive Community Can Look Like. Keynote Speaker. Lambda Pi Eta Honors Society. Nebraska Wesleyan University. March 2017.
Equifinality: The End and the Beginning. New Student Convocation. Keynote Speaker. California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA. August 2016.
A Preview of Success. Keynote Speaker, Black History Month Opening Day Ceremony. Fresno City College, Fresno, CA. February 2011.
Just the Way You Are. Keynote Speaker, African American Graduation Ceremony. California State, University, Fresno, Fresno, CA. May 2010.
Dr. Marnel Niles Goins was the keynote speaker at Fresno State’s New Student Convocation.
“I’m an educator, communicator, organizer, creator, and leader.”
— Dr. Marnel Niles Goins
Dr. Marnel Niles Goins spoke at the Western States Communication Association Convention in Denver, Colorado.