Miles College Names Dr. Kesha James as Dean of Online Learning and Academic Affairs Data Manager
Fairfield, AL , Miles College announces the appointment of Dr. Kesha James as Dean of Online Learning and Academic Affairs Data Manager. A visionary leader with more than 30 years of experience in education, Dr. James brings a proven record of advancing innovation, expanding access, and strengthening digital learning environments across both K–12 and higher education.
In her role as Dean of Online Learning, Dr. James provides strategic leadership for the College’s online initiatives, focusing on expanding access, improving course quality, and supporting student success. In her role as Academic Affairs Data Manager, she oversees academic data reporting and analytics that support institutional effectiveness and informed decision-making. Her work includes managing the College’s Learning Management System (LMS) as a critical component of academic operations, ensuring the accuracy of course data, supporting instructional delivery, and maintaining alignment with institutional and accreditation standards.
Dr. James previously served as Director of Online Learning at Lawson State Community College, where she led the design and implementation of the institution’s distance education program, including the launch of the only fully online Business Administration degree within the Alabama Community College System approved by SACSCOC. Under her leadership, Lawson State was ranked #2 by Best Colleges for having one of the top online programs among community colleges in Alabama.
In addition to her role as Director, Dr. James served as an Instructional Technologist at Lawson State, where she developed and delivered training for both faculty and students, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in digital learning environments. She designed and implemented a faculty certification program for online teaching, ensuring instructors were prepared to deliver high-quality, engaging, and accessible courses aligned with best practices and accreditation standards.
She also served as a Business and Information Technology Instructor at Lawson State, where she taught a wide range of business and computer science courses and prepared students for careers in technology and business fields.
In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. James served as Program Manager for the LSCC Apple Tech Center, where she led innovative digital learning initiatives across Alabama. She had the distinguished opportunity to meet Apple CEO Tim Cook and played a key role in advancing Apple’s Everyone Can Code initiative. Dr. James led the implementation of this program in partnership with Lawson State Community College and the City of Birmingham. Through this work, she taught app development using Apple’s Swift programming language and Xcode platform to students from Birmingham City Schools, Bessemer City Schools, as well as participants in Lawson State’s STEM and Workforce Development programs. Her leadership helped expand access to high-demand technology skills and positioned the institution as a leader in digital innovation and workforce preparation.
Dr. James holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education from Auburn University, along with an Education Specialist degree and a Master of Science in Business Education from Auburn University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Alabama State University.
Throughout her career, Dr. James has remained committed to student success, faculty development, and innovation in teaching and learning. Her leadership is instrumental in advancing Miles College’s strategic vision for online education, positioning the institution to compete at a higher level, expand enrollment, and deliver high-quality, accessible programs that meet the demands of today’s learners and workforce.
