Dr. Jo Allen served as president of Meredith College, a 133-year-old institution and one of the largest private colleges for women in the United States, from July 2011 until her retirement in June 2024. She is the first Meredith College alumna to serve as president and brought her extensive experience as a faculty member, administrator, and scholar to her role as president before retiring as President Emerita.
In her presidency, Dr. Allen guided Meredith to an enviable position of strength and vitality. After leading a collaborative, community-wide process to develop a comprehensive strategic plan, Meredith Forever, Allen and the Executive Leadership Team oversaw its implementation with impressive results, exceeding enrollment and retention goals; raising more than $170 million including $90 million in Beyond Strong, the College’s largest fundraising campaign ever; earning the highest rating from the U.S. Department of Education for financial stability; launching the Going Strong brand; establishing StrongPoints®, the College’s signature coaching and personal advising program; and building or renovating buildings and infrastructure across campus. She also initiated and raised funds and support for a new nursing program, among other curricular and programmatic enhancements.
A North Carolina native, Allen holds a B.A. from Meredith College, an M.A. from East Carolina University, and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University, all in English with a focus on Technical and Professional Communication. Prior to her presidency at Meredith, she served as senior vice president and provost at Widener University, managing academic and student affairs across multiple campuses. She has also held various administrative and faculty roles at East Carolina University and North Carolina State University.
A well-published scholar and award-winning writer, Allen has also participated in various editorial boards and accreditation teams. She has been recognized by Meredith College as a Distinguished Alumna and by East Carolina University as an Outstanding Woman of ECU. She was honored by Governor Roy Cooper with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the most distinguished award given to a North Carolina citizen. In her retirement, she is currently the President-in-Residence and Senior Advisor for the Council of Independent Colleges.
