The First Black Leader of the Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

Billy C. Hawkins, president of Talladega College in Alabama, has been chosen to chair the board of directors of the Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He is the first African American to chair the association’s board.

The association was founded in 1956 and later merged with the Council for Advancement of Private Colleges in Alabama. The primary purpose of the organization is to provide a forum for nonprofit, independent colleges and universities to work together on policies, programs and fundraising to benefit all member institutions.

A native of Kent, Ohio, Dr. Hawkins became president of Talladega College on January 1, 2008. From 2000 to 2007, he was president of Texas College in Tyler, Texas. Dr. Hawkins is a graduate of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. He holds a master’s degree in education from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in educational administration from Michigan State University.