Leadership

Dr. Gregory was appointed interim president of Jackson State University in May 2025. Prior to that appointment, she was the HBCU's provost and vice president of academic affairs.

Dr. Comer has led Lane College on an interim basis for nearly two years. Prior to his interim appointment, he spent more than three decades as an executive with FedEx, holding positions in data analytics, marketing, finance, strategic planning, and project management.

Dr. Gibbs has been serving as dean of the division of business and economics at Morehouse College in Atlanta. She is slated to become the first woman president of historically Black Texas College on July 1.

Professor Grant comes to North Carolina Central University from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he most recently served as interim dean and the Josiah H. Blackmore II/Shirley M. Nault Chair in Legal Education in the School of Law.

Peterson, a two-time graduate of Virginia State University, returns to her alma mater after nearly two decades with Southside Virginia Community College, where she most recently served as the college-wide librarian.

Dr. Easton-Brooks has led the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Education for seven years. Recently, over 85 percent of the college's faculty issued a vote of no-confidence in his leadership capabilities.

Dr. Pinder was named dean of the Yale School of Art in 2021, making her the first Black woman to serve as a dean at the Ivy League university. She has been reappointed to her role for a second five-year term.

Dr. Ruffin comes to her new role from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where she taught for the past 16 years. Dr. Ruffin focuses her research on learners with special needs, diverse learners, and pedagogical approaches for the diverse and inclusive classroom.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund's Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center recently published a new report discussing the skills and structural conditions necessary to retain successful HBCU presidents, who currently average less than five years in office.

Dr. Recasner has over two decades of experience as a tenured faculty member and senior administration in higher education. She has been serving as the interim president of Seattle Central University.

Dr. Cooper Whitehead brings extensive experience in student affairs and academic leadership to her new role. She comes to Regis University from Boston College, where she has served as vice president of student affairs since 2021.

Dr. Smith was named the first Black president of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania in 2015. Before her presidency, she was dean of the college and the Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature at Princeton University.

Dr. Shavers has served as associate dean of the College of Education at Missouri State University for nearly three years. She is slated to serve as the college's interim dean on July 1.

“These partnerships represent a deliberate investment in ensuring HBCU leaders are not only prepared to assume leadership roles, but supported through structured development, shared learning, and governance practices that promote institutional stability and long-term success,” said Aja Johnson, senior program manager for executive leadership at the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building.

“It is an honor to be selected as the next president of Tougaloo College, an institution with a profound legacy of academic excellence and social transformation,” said Dr. Wiggins. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the board of trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader Tougaloo community to advance the college's mission and strengthen its future.”

“I am honored to join North Carolina A&T, a university with such a rich history of excellence and a clear vision for the future,” said Dr. Daire. “I look forward to working with faculty, staff, and students to build on the university’s momentum and ensure that every Aggie has the support they need to succeed.”

Dr. Williams comes to his new role from California State University, East Bay, where he served as dean of the College of Education and Allied Studies. Earlier in his career, he was a professor of counseling and associate dean of the Graduate College of Education at San Francisco State University.

“As we work to improve mathematics teacher education, we must have open hands and open hearts to the diverse needs of students, teachers, schools, communities, and other partners. I hope to do this work in a way that centers humanity, community, and flexibility,” said Dr. Myers.

“The institutions of the CSU System have an extraordinary legacy of serving Colorado — a legacy I am honored and excited to help carry forward,” said Rico Munn, who will begin his role as system chancellor in 2027.

The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities is a national organization that supports Jesuit higher education institutions in the United States, Belize, and Canada. Dr. Murray, who currently serves as senior vice president for student development and mission at the College of the Holy Cross, is slated to become the association's next president on June 2.