Marcus H. Burgess has been appointed interim president of Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. The change in leadership occurred after the board of trustees fired president Christine McPhail, earlier this month (see JBHE post). Leslie Rodriguez-McClellon, vice president of community relations and government affairs at the university, served a brief term as acting president before Dr. Burgess was appointed.
Dr. Burgess most recently served as vice president for institutional advancement at Claflin University In South Carolina. Before he began working at Claflin in 2019, Dr. Burgess served several institutions in a leadership capacity, including York Technical College in Rockhill, South Carolina, as the executive director for campaigns and strategic initiatives; Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens as the vice president for university advancement; and Voorhees University in South Carolina as the vice president for institutional advancement.
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of interim president at Saint Augustine’s University and am committed to advancing its mission of excellence in education,” said Dr. Burgess. “I am committed to ushering in a new era of stability and growth for the university, ensuring its continued accreditation and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration. I stand with the dedicated faculty, staff, and students as we navigate these challenges and build a promising future for SAU.”
Burgess is a native of Cades, South Carolina. He is a 1996 graduate of Claflin University, where he earned a bachelor’s in elementary education. He holds a master’s degree in education administration and supervision from The Citadel in Charleston and a doctorate in learning and leadership in organizations from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody School.
