Morgan Leaders Earn Distinction for Global Impact, Innovation and Service

Recent Honors Underscore University’s Competitive Edge in Cultivating Professionals Whose Expertise Influences Technology, Business, and Cultural Scholarship

BALTIMORE — Morgan State University distinguishes itself as a national leader in cultivating faculty and staff who drive innovation, shape industries, and advance cultural scholarship. Recent accolades highlight this strength by way of the recognition of Dr. Timothy C. Summers among the world’s foremost technology leaders, Dr. Dina El Mahdy’s top honor for innovation in accounting education, and Dr. Edwin T. Johnson’s appointment to lead a pivotal cultural institution in Baltimore. Together, these achievements reinforce Morgan’s role as a university where thought leadership and impact extend well beyond campus.

“The success our University enjoys is matched only by that of the people behind it and we are intentional about cultivating professionals whose scholarship and leadership resonate far beyond our campus,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan. “The achievements of Drs. Summers, El Mahdy, and Johnson exemplify the caliber of innovation, excellence, and service that define this University. Their distinction on global, national, and community stages affirms Morgan’s role as a competitive force in higher education and a vital contributor to the progress of society.”

Named among the World CIO 200 leaders and recognized as a Global Champion 2025, Dr. Timothy C. Summers has joined an elite group of executives shaping the future of global technology leadership. The World CIO 200 Global Champion distinction honors top Chief Information Officers (CIOs) who are driving digital transformation worldwide.

CIOs from across the globe were celebrated at the CIO 200 Summit in Egypt, where Dr. Summers’ leadership in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, innovation strategy, and executive management was recognized, further advancing Morgan State University’s influence on the world stage. A recent addition to Morgan’s leadership team, Dr. Summers joined the University during the 2025 spring semester as chief information officer, leading efforts to strengthen cybersecurity, modernize digital infrastructure, and accelerate technological innovation.

The Deloitte Foundation is widely recognized for supporting university faculty through awards and fellowships, most notably the AAA/J. Michael and Mary Anne Cook/Deloitte Foundation Prize, which honors excellence in accounting education. The Foundation also sponsors other prestigious awards through academic partnerships, including the Deloitte Foundation Doctoral Fellowship.

Most recently, Dr. Dina El Mahdy, Professor of Accounting in Morgan State University’s Graves School of Business and Management, received the coveted Deloitte Teaching Award, an honor determined by peer recognition within the School. Funded by the Deloitte Foundation, the award celebrates Dr. El Mahdy’s innovative integration of data analytics into accounting education.

This distinction highlights her dedication to equipping students with the analytical skills vital to today’s business landscape, while also elevating Morgan’s reputation as a center for forward-looking teaching in business and finance. With the support of this award, Dr. El Mahdy will continue to advance data-driven approaches in accounting instruction.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)—the nation’s oldest and largest historical society dedicated to promoting African American history—has appointed Dr. Edwin T. Johnson of Morgan State University as president of its Roland McConnell Branch in Baltimore.

The Branch is named in honor of Dr. Roland C. McConnell, who taught at Morgan State College beginning in 1948, later serving as chair of the Division of Social Science (1953–1955) and chair of the Department of History (1967–1975).

As the newly appointed president of ASALH’s Baltimore Chapter, Dr. Johnson will lead initiatives to preserve, document, and promote African American history and culture in Baltimore and beyond. His appointment underscores Morgan’s central role in advancing scholarship and community leadership around heritage, identity, and equity. At Morgan, Dr. Johnson serves as special assistant to the provost and university historian.

Taken together, these accomplishments illustrate how Morgan State University continues to distinguish itself among peer institutions by cultivating professionals whose expertise spans technology, business, and the humanities. Whether advancing global innovation, redefining educational practice, or shaping cultural leadership, Morgan’s leaders are setting benchmarks that position the University as a forward-looking, competitive force in higher education—one whose impact is felt locally, nationally, and globally.