About Kawachi A, Clemons, Ph.D.

Dr. Kawachi A. Clemons brings 25 years of experience in higher education as an administrator, faculty member, composer, conductor, and community builder. His leadership integrates strategic vision with practical implementation, fostering innovation, equity, and collaboration across diverse learning environments.

Dr. Clemons most recently served as Dean of the School of Arts, Entertainment, and Design at Valencia College, where he advanced creative programming and strengthened industry partnerships to broaden student access and community engagement. Previously, as Vice Provost for Academics, Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives at Virginia State University, he provided institutional leadership in academic strategy, accreditation, and resource alignment while serving as a tenured Professor of Music and Executive Director of the Center for Creative and Entertainment Arts. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly a decade at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in key leadership roles, including Chair of the Department of Music, founding Director of the Institute for Research in Music and Entertainment Industry Studies, Coordinator of Music Education, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

An active scholar and practitioner, Dr. Clemons’ research and professional initiatives focus on community building through arts, culture, and education. He has developed programs that connect creative practice to civic engagement, using the arts as a catalyst for social impact and institutional innovation.

Beyond academia, Dr. Clemons has contributed to the entertainment industry, co-producing, engineering, and scoring music for Sony Pictures Entertainment's acclaimed animated series The Boondocks alongside GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Patrick “9th Wonder” Douthit. A sought-after speaker, he has presented nationally and internationally on entertainment, arts, culture, education, and community development, with appearances at Kenyatta University (Nairobi, Kenya), Diverse: Issues in Higher Education's John Hope Franklin Symposium, the Florida Music Educators Association, the American Institutes for Research, Steinway & Sons, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

He earned the bachelor's degree in music education from FAMU, a master of music degree in performing arts management from Florida International University, and the Ph.D. in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Clemons is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Rotary International, J.R.E. Lee, Sr., Lodge #422 (PHA), Ahmed Temple #37 (AEAONMS), the National Association for Music Education, American Educational Research Association, American Educational Studies Association, and the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association. His outstanding contributions in educational leadership and service earned him the prestigious International Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the organization’s highest honor for humanitarian service.