DOVER— Dr. Wilma Mishoe still vividly remembers when her father Dr. Luna I. Mishoe, who was the president of then-Delaware State College, used to prepare for his monthly board meetings.

“It brings back some many memories,” she said.

Her father was president of the school from 1960-1987.

But Dr. Mishoe never imagined she would be part of the same group of people that her father used to prepare and report to many years later.

She was appointed by Gov. Jack Markell to serve a six-year term on the Delaware State University Board of Trustees.

“It’s amazing,” Dr. Mishoe said.

In 2010, Dr. Mishoe retired from a 30-year career at Delaware Technical and Community College, where she held

Wilma Mishoe

several administrative leadership posts, including dean of the Office of Instruction and dean of Student Services, federal programs coordinator, and Affirmative Action officer, among others.

Her appointment to the DSU board is a continuation of her career in higher education, which most recently included providing leadership to Wilberforce University (WU) in Ohio, one of the oldest historically black universities in the country.

At Wilberforce, Dr. Mishoe is credited with providing stable leadership during a time of declining enrollment, a budget deficit, accreditation sanctions and overall low morale.

Under her period as acting president and special assistant to the president, Wilberforce experienced significant improvements in all areas and recently hosted a site visit by its accrediting agency, according to officials.

Carlos Holmes, spokesman for DSU, said “it’s the first time that we’ve had an offspring of a president become a member of the board.

“It’s a very remarkable appointment because she is the daughter of one of our greatest presidents from a historical standpoint, and not only that, she has done a lot in her career in higher education,” Mr. Holmes added.

Dr. Mishoe said she hopes to learn as much as possible as a member of the board.

“I think before I’m able to generate any new ideas or improvements I think I need to learn the needs and the current status of everything that’s going on,” Dr. Mishoe said. “Student services are my passion and I think it will take time for me to see where the needs are and where I can offer the most assistance.”

During her tenure as a WU Board of Trustees member, Dr. Mishoe chaired its Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Compliance Committee and was its board secretary.

In addition to her board service at Wilberforce, Dr. Mishoe also served on the College Board of the Middle States Regional Assembly from 2004-2009.

A longtime resident of Dover, Dr. Mishoe was a member of the Capital School District Board of Education from 1994-1999, and its board president from August 1997 to July 1999.

Dr. Mishoe believes her extensive background has prepared her the new postion.

“I firmly believe all things happen for a reason and a purpose,” Dr. Mishoe said. “I never set a goal of wanting to be a college administrator, as everything that I have done up to this point has prepared and molded me for any new position that I’ve been in.

“Everything has come full circle,” Dr. Mishoe said. “DSU are my roots and it feels good being a part of it.”