NCCU dean arrested on assault charge

Ontario Wooden, dean of the University College, was arrested Sunday and released on a $2,000 secured bond.

According to an arrest warrant, Wooden is accused of grabbing a woman on her forearm and shoving her against a cabinet, causing scratches and bruises to her arm and left shoulder.

The alleged assault happened Sept. 24 on campus, according to the warrant.

NCCU spokeswoman Ayana Hernandez said Wednesday that university officials are aware of the arrest but that, because it is a personnel matter, she could not provide additional comment.

The university hired Wooden, whose annual salary is $107,000 in September 2008, and he has been in his current position since July 2011. The University College guides students through their first two years on campus.

Prior to NCCU, he was the director of an honors program at Albany State University in Georgia.

Wooden's arrest is the latest in a string of misconduct at the university in the past few months.

Two former employees were indicted last month on embezzlement charges.

The drum line of the university's marching band was found to be in violation of school policy after an investigation found that members participated in activities that violated the university's code of conduct.

Hernandez pointed out that each of the cases was an isolated incident.

"Like any organization or university, we are definitely mindful of anything that might impact our students, faculty and staff," Hernandez said. "It is definitely our No. 1 priority to serve our students, and so we definitely want to address any concerns immediately."