Lisa N. Herring has been named President of PROPEL, the global innovation and learning hub for historically Black colleges and universities, which was created in 2021 to support HBCU students and faculty through a robust virtual platform, a physical campus in the historic Atlanta University Center, as well as on-campus activations at partner institutions. The Propel Center, which is supported by $25 million grants from Apple, Inc. and Southern Company, aims to provide HBCU students with virtual and physical pathways for propelling their leadership development, entrepreneurial endeavors, and community impact.
“As many people across the HBCU ecosystem are aware, PROPEL has made tremendous strides in moving forward its mission to elevate the educational experiences of, and career opportunities for the next generation of Black leaders across industry,” Dr. Herring said. “Being a proud graduate and a recent visiting lecturer at Spelman College, I am incredibly humbled by this opportunity, as it stands as a rare chance to bring the innovation that has long been my hallmark to this organization. My goal with PROPEL is to continue to do just that, while we blaze broader paths of opportunity for the coming generations of young HBCU scholars and leaders.”
Dr. Herring most recently served as superintendent of the Atlanta Public Schools. She is the former superintendent of the Birmingham City Schools in Alabama. Prior to her tenure in Birmingham, Dr. Herring served as the chief academic officer for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, a system with more than 100,000 students.
Dr. Herring received a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Spelman College. She holds a master’s degree in counselor education from the University of South Carolina and a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Georgia Southern University.
