Tennessee State University has named Ronald A. Johnson as its interim president as the search for a new leader begins again.
Johnson, who recently served as interim president of Kentucky State University, will assume his new role on July 1. He previously served as president of Clark Atlanta University. Both schools are historically black universities, like TSU. As the TSU Board of Trustees considered his appointment, it consulted with The Registry, a firm that helps place leaders in interim roles. Johnson was one of six candidates the firm identified.
Outgoing TSU President Glenda Glover has held the position since 2013 and is set to retire. The university board announced Johnson’s appointment during a special virtual meeting called Wednesday evening. The meeting was not announced until Wednesday morning.
The move comes after the board, which held its first meeting on April 26, took office after state lawmakers abruptly removed the previous board after it narrowed an earlier presidential search to three finalists. The new board decided to scrap the search and start over, and appoint an interim.
“My fellow trustees and I look forward to collaborating with Dr. Johnson,” TSU Board of Trustees President Dakasha Winton said in a university news release Wednesday evening. “His proven leadership in strategically addressing complex issues, while developing innovative paths forward, will further guide the university during this transition. I know that by working with our students, staff, alumni and board members, this next chapter will solidify the TSU’s legacy of excellence.”
Johnson brings nearly 20 years of experience to TSU and is a well-known and respected leader in higher education, according to the release.
He co-founded the HBCU Executive Leadership Institute at Clark Atlanta University and serves on its advisory board. She also received the institute’s Frederick S. Humphries Leadership Award.
Previously, Johnson taught at Texas Southern University, Florida A&M University, Howard University and Northeastern University. Johnson also served on the President’s Advisory Board of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and chaired the Consumer Advisory Board of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA in finance from Adelphi University, then earned a master’s degree in finance and a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University.
Glover, who attended business school at Clark Atlanta, praised Johnson as an “excellent leader” and said he looks forward to seeing him lead at TSU.
“I will provide Dr. Johnson with all necessary support as he takes the helm of our great institution to continue the legacy of excellence that is the hallmark of Tennessee State University,” he said in the statement.
Johnson will serve in the interim role for one year while a new search for a permanent TSU president unfolds.
The first step of a new search
The previous board was about to announce a new chairman when lawmakers voted to vacate it after years of financial scrutiny and a forensic audit. The audit did not reveal any wrongdoing on the part of the university, but did point out problems with scholarships being offered without suitable accommodation available to students.
The TSU maintained it was cooperating with the audits as it worked to address the concerns. TSU leaders, students and advocates have also pointed to the $2.1 billion lack of state funding revealed by findings from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Education released last year. They have repeatedly said that criticism from state leaders about the lack of infrastructure at TSU is unfair in light of the state’s funding shortfall.
TSU leaders asked lawmakers for more time before the measure to remove the old board was finally approved.
The finalists in the previous board search were Charles Gibbs, the now-former executive director of the national organization 100 Black Men of America, William E. Hudson, vice president for student affairs at Florida A&M University, and Michael Torrence, president of Motlow State Community College in Tennessee. It is unclear whether all three will reapply.
Previously:Tennessee State University board scraps presidential search, begins new leader search
During its regular meeting scheduled for June 7, the new board established a plan for the coming year, which included appointing an interim president by July 1. These are the other elements included in the plan:
- Continue the contract with Academic Search, a national search firm contracted for a previous presidential search.
- Establish a new presidential search committee, which will encompass a variety of voices, including faculty.
- Appoint a new president before July 1, 2025.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for September 19. More information about the board and the presidential search can be found at TNstate.edu/board.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow Keynote USA Local on Twitter.