Dr. Valery Yvonne Rose Bates-Brown has been employed at Virginia State University (VSU) for 25 years in higher education. In 1981 she began as an instructor through full professor with tenure in Visual Communications (Art and Design). Her Ph.D. is in Mass Communications from Howard University. Each semester, she teaches one course in the Department of Music, Art and Design. In the classroom and in her leadership roles, she practices quality education, supportive education, and equal education. Currently, she is the Assistant Vice President for Academic Support Services at Virginia State University. She reports to the Provost/Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

Throughout her career, she has been a responsible leader for implementing new programs. One proposal became the Academic Support Center. She is an advocate for student success because this is the nature of how she carries out her work. In addition, she has received the Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award for 2003 from the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience.

Throughout the years Dr. Bates-Brown's leadership has been inclusive of the following areas: Student success, student retention, student matriculation for graduation, curriculum development and updates, university and program accreditation, general education, student support services, Freshman and the overall campus student population, National Student Exchange Program, New Student Orientation Program, Stay in Step Intergenerational Program (A tutoring, mentoring, and advising program), Undeclared Majors Advisement Program, Veteran Affairs Advisement, International Student Advisement, Absentee Notification from class, Withdrawal from the University, General Counseling services, and Trio Programs - Student Support Services, Upward Bound, and Talent Search.  She and her staff are currently writing the first Ronald McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program for VSU.

As a leader and team member, she is a visionary whom continues to be involved in working with all divisions of the university. She has exhibited her creative artwork yearly in group shows. She has exhibited in a one-woman art exhibit, which consisted of computer graphics, black and white as well as color photography, acrylic painting, drawings, and prints.

Dr. Bates-Brown is a diligent worker who is committed to educational endeavors for all mankind. Her personal interests include living a healthy lifestyle and giving to others. She lives in Richmond, Virginia and is married.