This past June, William B. Bynum, president of Mississippi Valley State University, was chosen as the new leader of Jackson State University in Mississippi. The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in Mississippi chose Jerryl Briggs as acting president of Mississippi Valley State University. Now Dr. Briggs has been selected to serve in the role on a permanent basis.
Before being named acting president, Dr. Briggs had been serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer at the university. Before joining the staff at Mississippi Valley State University, Dr. Briggs was vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Earlier, he was vice president for student affairs and enrollment management and dean of students at Lincoln University, the historically Black educational institution in Pennsylvania.
President Briggs is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, where he majored in chemistry education. He holds a master’s degree in human relations and supervision from Louisiana Tech University and a doctorate in educational policy, planning, and leadership from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Excellent choice for this institution. Dr. Briggs was my boss many moons ago when he was Director of Housing at Clark Atlanta University. I am certain the institution will move forward.