Everett B. Ward, president of historically Black Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, has announced his plans to retire on July 24, 2019. He has held the position since 2014.
One of Dr. Ward’s most notable accomplishments as president was removing the university from accreditation probation status by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges this past December. He also nearly tripled the university’s donor support from $1 million in 2014 to $2.9 million in 2018.
“Given the accomplishment of these goals, now is the time for me to transition the leadership of Saint Augustine’s to the next president,” said Dr. Ward. “We’re at a critical point in the history of our university and I know that now is the time to transition to an even more exciting chapter in the life of our institution.”
Prior to taking the helm at Saint Augustine’s, Dr. Ward served as the director of the Historically Black Colleges and University/Minority Institutions of Higher Education Program for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He is a former member of the Democratic National Committee where he served as vice chairman of the Black Caucus. In 1989, he became the first African-American to serve as executive director of the North Carolina Democratic Party.
“I look forward to continuing to lead St. Augustine’s through this period of transition. During this time, I will remain the No. 1 champion for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends throughout this period. Once I leave St. Augustine’s, I will remain involved in activities around higher education.”
Dr. Ward is a graduate of Saint Augustine’s University. He holds a master’s degree from North Carolina State University and a Ph.D. from North Carolina A&T State University.
