In 2012, James Ammons, then president of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, announced that he would step down from his post after five years on the job. Dr. Ammons announced his decision on the same day that a lawsuit was filed against the university by the parents of drum major Robert Champion who authorities say died as a result of a hazing incident. Dr. Ammons remained at Florida A&M as a tenured professor of political science.
Now, Dr. Ammons will become executive vice president of the Southern University System in Louisiana and executive vice chancellor of the Baton Rouge campus of Southern University.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Ammons was chancellor of North Carolina Central University in Durham. He served as chancellor there from 2001 to 2007. From 1995 to 2001, Dr. Ammons was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Florida A&M University.
Dr. Ammons is a graduate of Florida A&M University, where he majored in political science. He holds a master of public administration degree and a Ph.D. in government from Florida State University.
