Ericke S. Cage Named Vice President and Chief of Staff
7/19/2021
INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- Ericke S. Cage has been named vice president and chief of staff for West Virginia State University effective July 19.
In this role, Cage will serve as the principal aide and adviser to the president, representing the president to internal and external constituencies, and in collaboration with other members of the president’s executive cabinet, will be responsible for planning, organizing, and guiding the initiatives and activities of the president as they relate to the internal operations and external relationships of the university.
Cage most recently served as the senior advisor to the president and university ombudsman at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia – where he served as principal advisor to the president on matters related to university policy making, governance, and government relations.
“Ericke will be a critical member of the university’s leadership team and play a vital role in collaboration with my executive cabinet in leading key initiatives, and implementation of the university’s new strategic plan,” said WVSU President Nicole Pride. “His experiences as a leader in both higher education and on Capitol Hill will be invaluable as the university continues to position itself as a leader in meeting the economic and social needs of the state, region, and nation.”
While at Norfolk State, Cage led the university’s 2019-2025 strategic plan committee and served as principal staff lead for the university’s 2019-2020 self-assessment. He also supported the advancement of good board governance by redesigning new board member training, overseeing the development and execution of the annual board retreats, and developing a board member skills matrix for the university’s Board of Visitors. Cage was also instrumental in expanding Norfolk State’s presence and impact on Capitol Hill and before the Virginia General Assembly.
Prior to joining Norfolk State, Cage served as director of government affairs for Teach for America, and also served as legislative counsel for U.S. Congressman Tom Perriello, in addition to serving as a law clerk for the U.S. Department of Defense, and a legislative fellow for the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He also served as a congressional fellow in the office of U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison. Cage began his career as a high school government teacher in his hometown of Halifax County, Virginia.
Cage has a bachelor’s degree in political science and leadership from Virginia Tech, a juris doctorate from the Rutgers University School of Law, and a masters of law degree from the George Washington University School of Law. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College and the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.