Phyllis Delores Worthy was born in 1953.[1] She earned a B.S. at Johnson C. Smith University.[2] She completed a M.A. from University of Michigan.[2] She earned a Ph.D. from Ohio State University.[2] Her 1984 dissertation was titled, An Analysis of Fundamental Motor Skills of Urban Black and Urban White Children of Middle Childhood Age.[1] Walter F. Ersing was her doctoral advisor.[1]
Dawkins worked at Johnson C. Smith University for over 28 years.[3] Roles she held there included chief academic/administrative officer/dean of the College of Professional Studies, interim vice president for academic affairs, and professor of physical education.[4] She joined Dillard University in 2009 where she served as the provost, senior vice president for academic affairs, and professor of education.[3] On August 5, 2013, she became the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.[4] Dawkins succeeded interim provost Bernadette Carter.[4] She served as its acting president in 2014.[5][6]
In November 2015, Dawkins joined the faculty at Bennett College as its provost and vice president for academic affairs.[3][5] Following the resignation of Rosalind Fuse-Hall, she became its interim president in August 2016.[5] She was selected as its 18th president in July 2017.[5] She stepped down in June 2019 and was succeeded by interim president Gwendolyn O’Neal.[7][8] On December 11, 2019, she became a national senior fellow to the Council Exchange Board of Trade.[2] She is vice co-chair of the Goddard College board of trustees.[2]
Dawkins has two daughters with her husband, Bobby G. Dawkins.[4]
