Cherita F. Adams is a human resources professional with over 15 years of experience aligning and optimizing organization development and training initiatives in accordance with organization vision, mission, and goals.

In January 2013, Adams joined the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), where she currently serves as assistant dean for administration and strategic initiatives at the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW). In this role, Adams serves as the key advisor to the UMSSW dean for non-academic matters. She is responsible for providing high-level strategic administrative and operational leadership to the internal operations of UMSSW.

Before becoming an assistant dean, Adams was the career development manager in the Office of Human Resource Services at UMB. As the career development manager, she was tasked with building an environment that encouraged internal career mobility. A hallmark of her work was the creation of the UMBrella Coaching Program, a small group topical coaching program for women. Adams was awarded the 2019 Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Recognition Award as Outstanding UMB Staff Member for her work developing career advancement programs for lower-paid positions at the University.

A Virginia Beach, Va., native, Adams graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Art in psychology. She also holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in human resources management, both from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Adams is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In addition to volunteering with efforts that encourage workforce stability for underserved populations, she also volunteers with the United Way of Central Maryland and the Ronald McDonald House. Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her husband, Paul, and amazing children Nyla and Khary.