Shellond Chester, with over 27 years of experience in higher education administration,  currently serves as the Assistant Provost and Chief Operating Officer of Academic Affairs at Xavier University of Louisiana.   At Xavier, she is responsible for the operations and budgets of all units within Academic Affairs.

Prior to joining Xavier, Shellond held the position of Assistant Dean of Finance in the School of Liberal Arts at Tulane University. She also held an adjunct faculty position in the School of Professional at Tulane for 13 years where she taught Consumer Behavior and Business Communication. 

As a first generation college graduate, she is dedicated to serving and mentoring minority students. 

Shellond earned her MBA degree from Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business and her BBA degree from Loyola University’s College of Business. She actively serves in The Links, Inc.; Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Summer Lyric Steering Committee and Uptown Music Theater board.

As a native New Orleanian, Shellond is a strong advocate for our wonderful city and supports all efforts to highlight this unique place we call home.