President Advisory Board

   Dr. Haywood L. Strickland, President and CEO, Wiley College; Chairman of the Presidents’ Advisory board – Dr. Haywood L. Strickland is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Stillman College (summa cum laude) in History and English and earned master’s and Ph.D. degrees in American History at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.Dr. Haywood Strickland was elected the 16th president of Wiley College on September 12, 2000. As the President and CEO, he brings extensive higher education administration and fund-raising experience to Wiley College, where he hopes to create a new milieu and achieve excellence in the life of the College. Indeed, since Dr. Strickland assumed leadership, Wiley College has witnessed positive changes in the management and operations of the institution. He hopes to achieve true excellence at Wiley College as envisioned by its founders through his hands-on approach, visionary leadership, proactive planning, and prudent fiscal practices. Dr. Strickland is systematically putting in place mechanisms that promote performance, accountability, and institutional effectiveness through sound management principles.  Since 1981, Dr. Strickland has been President of the Associates for Institutional Development, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in higher education governance, administration, management and evaluation. Previously, he was Senior Program Officer, Director of Student Services Institute, Director of Trustee Management and Administration Program and Black College Development/Southern Philanthropy Program, and Director of the Academic Administration Program at the United Board for College Development (UBCD). Prior to joining the UBCD, Dr. Strickland was President of Kittrell College; Director of Rural Community Assistance Consortium, Office for Advancement of Public Negro Colleges and Schools; Assistant Director of Special Studies and Assistant Executive Secretary, Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
    Dr. David L. Beckley, the longest tenured senior college President in Mississippi, was appointed president of Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi on January 16, 1993 and assumed the position on July 1, 1993.  Before assuming the position as 11th president of Rust College, he served as 12th president of Wiley College in Marshall, TX (1987-1993). A 1967 graduate of Rust College, Dr. Beckley became the third alumnus to serve his alma mater as president.  In addition to the Rust College Bachelor’s Degree, Beckley holds both the M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees in Higher Education Administration from the University of Mississippi.Since returning to Mississippi, he has been elected Chair of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges, President of the Mississippi Association of Colleges, member of NCAA Division III Presidents Council, President of the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church (NASCUMC), Chair of the Member Presidents of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) 2000-02, Board of Directors of the Methodist Health Systems, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, and the University Senate of the United Methodist Church where he chaired the Black College Council, SERVE Board, Yocona Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare Foundation (1999-2000), Black Methodists for Church Renewal, United Methodist Senior Services of Mississippi, Inc. (1999-2008), the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (2002-2008), the CREATE Board, the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters, Mississippi Access for Justice Commission, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Commission, and Batesville Job Corp Board of Directors.  He is a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi Professional Men’s Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi National Fraternity, Inc., and a 33° Mason.Since accepting the presidency of Rust College, the College’s endowment fund has grown from $13 million to $23 million, reaffirmation of regional accreditation with Specialty Accreditation received from the Department of Social Work by the Council on Social Work Education.  The College celebrated the 43rd consecutive year of a balanced budget with the close of the 2010-2011 fiscal year in June of 2011.
 Dozier  Dr. Cheryl Dozier, was named the 13th president of Savannah State University on May 9, 2012, after serving one year as interim president and quickly instilling a culture of service, strength and unity across the Savannah State campus.  An experienced and highly regarded university-level professor, researcher, author and administrator known throughout the University System of Georgia for her intellect, charisma and leadership abilities, Dozier is firmly committed to advancing the legacy of academic excellence and community engagement set in place when SSU was founded in 1890.Prior to taking the reins at Savannah State, Dozier served as associate provost and chief diversity officer for the Office of Institutional Diversity at the University of Georgia.  In that role — to which she was appointed in 2006 after four years as assistant vice president of academic affairs at the Gwinnett University Center — Dozier led UGA’s efforts to evaluate existing programs and develop new initiatives to support diversity and equity.  Since beginning her tenure at Savannah State, Dozier has launched a number of programs aimed at increasing student graduation and retention rates, improving customer service and strengthening external relationships.A native of New York, Dozier earned her bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, her Master of Social Work degree from the Atlanta University School of Social Work (now Clark-Atlanta University) and her Doctor of Social Work degree from Hunter College at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.
 
   Dr. Larry Ervin, was named as the fifth president of Huston-Tillotson University in 2000 and moved the institution to university status. Huston-Tillotson provides diverse students a proven environment for academic success. In the fall of 2011, the ethnicity of the student body was 69% African American, 19% Hispanic, 6% Anglo, 3% International, and less than 1% multiracial. The University provides access to an affordable higher education. Ninety-four percent of HT’s undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid.Dr. Ervin serves on several on several boards and associations including; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Chair, The Long Center for the Performing Arts, Executive Committee of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. (NAICU), Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, Inc. (ICUT), Council for Higher Education of the United Church of Christ, Amistad Research Center (New Orleans), Capital Area United Way, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (Washington, D.C.),
Texas Association for Developing Colleges (Dallas), Texas Campus Compact, and the United Negro College Fund (Fairfax, VA)Dr. Ervin earned his bachelor’s degree from Clark College, his Master of Science degree from Georgia State University and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Emory University.
 Hall, David, SJD  Dr. David Hall began his tenure as the fifth president of the University of the Virgin Islands on August 1, 2009. At that same time he was also awarded a Distinguished Professorship of Spirituality and Professionalism at UVI.Under Dr. Hall’s leadership, UVI has made important strides toward raising the image and position of the University. He led the effort to change the structure of the academic units from divisions to colleges and schools. Additionally, new academic programs, such as a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management have been instituted. The University has also launched a new Caribbean Center for Green Technology, a Center for the Study of Spirituality and Professionalism, and an Institute for Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness. A recycling program has been implemented on both campuses as part of the UVI Goes Green initiative.Under President Hall’s leadership, the University received a $1 million pledge to create a science building, and a $5 million gift to create the 13D Student Entrepreneurial Competition and fund the Kiril Sokoloff endowed professorship in Entrepreneurship. Alumni contributions have also doubled since his tenure as President. The University has also constructed a 100-bed state-of-the-art residence hall on St. Thomas, and has worked with the Research and Technology Park to construct an academic building on St. Croix.Born in Savannah, Georgia, Dr. Hall holds a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University, where he was named an “All American” for his athletic and scholarly accomplishments. After graduating from Kansas State, he played professional basketball in Italy. He received his doctor of jurisprudence (JD) from the University of Oklahoma, where he also earned a master’s degree in Human Relations. He holds both an LL.M. degree and a doctorate of juridical science (SJD) from Harvard Law School.
 
   Dr. Billy Hawkins  became the 20th President of Talladega College on January 1, 2008. He has transformed Talladega College and is moving it forward to its return of preeminence. Since his arrival, student enrollment has increased more than 70%, the entire physical plant has been upgraded, one classroom building has been renovated, restored and reopened; three dormitories were refurbished, a new police station was built, a 4.5 million dollar rehabilitation/restoration of Foster Hall Dormitory began, finances have been restructured and stabilized, new academic programs have been added; he successfully guided the institution through a new ten year SACS Accreditation, the College gained reinstatement to the NAIA National Athletic Association and won three national championships in men’s and women’s basketball.Dr. Billy C. Hawkins has been in education for 36 years. He began his successful career as a teacher in the Lansing Michigan Public Schools System. His passion for teaching led him to the field of higher education where he has served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs/Professor at Mississippi Valley State University; Vice President for Academic Affairs/Professor at Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia; Acting Dean, Associate Dean, and Assistant Dean/Professor in the College of Education at Ferris State University; and as Director of the Educational Opportunity Program, State University of New York at Morrisville College.A native of Kent, Ohio, Dr. Hawkins holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Teacher Education from Ferris State University, a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from Michigan State University in Education Administration. He has completed post-doctoral studies at Harvard University.
 Beverly Wade Hogan  Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan has served as President at Tougaloo College since May 2002. She is the first woman and the 13th president to lead this historic institution. Hogan is often described as a visionary, an “outside the box” thinker, and disciplined, compassionate, firm, fair, analytical and spiritual leader. Under her leadership, new degree programs in mass communications, hotel and hospitality management, and religious studies have been added. A new Honors Program and three centers have been established—the Center for Undergraduate Research, the Center for Continuing Education and Professional Studies, and the Center for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility as well as an Office of International Affairs. The College has also been designated as a Center of Excellence in Transportation Security by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. Significant technological improvements have been made, including campus wide connectivity, smart classrooms and wireless networks and the construction of the Bennie G. Thompson Academic and Civil Rights Research Center.A native Mississippian, Hogan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Tougaloo College and masters in public policy and administration from Jackson State University. She has done additional studies at the University of Southern Mississippi and University of Georgia. She is engaged in further doctoral studies in human development and organizational leadership at Fielding Graduate University. She holds Honorary Doctorates in Humanities from Wiley College and Rust College, Doctorate of Humane Letters from Benedict College and has earned numerous certificates in leadership development, organizational management and administrative law.
Dr. Lames Llorens, Chancellor  Dr. James L. Llorens was appointed Chancellor of Southern University and A&M College by the Southern University Board of Supervisors in April 2011. He officially assumed the position on July 1, 2011.  At the time of his appointment, Llorens was serving as Assistant Chief Administrative Officer to Mayor-President Melvin Holden of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge. Southern University has an enrollment of 7,000 students at the undergraduate and graduate level.  The University offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees.Llorens served previously at Southern University from 1989-2008. Llorens retired from the University in 2008 as Associate Professor of Public Administration and Dean of the Graduate School.   Prior to that he served as Chair of the Department of Public Administration and the Department of Political Science.He is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans and earned a Master’s in Urban Affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Ph.D. in Political Science from Louisiana State University.  He completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Public Policy and Minority Communities at the Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.  Llorens was also a 1998-99 Fellow in the American Council on Education Higher Education Leadership Program.During his academic career, Dr. Llorens served on many national boards and committees in organizations such as the Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Historically Black Graduate Schools, Educational Testing Service’s Graduate Record Examination Division, Conference of Black Political Scientists, and the Conference of Minority Public Administrators.He served on academic accreditation teams with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
 
 Dr. Adena Williams Loston serves as the 14th President of St. Philip’s College our nation’s only Historically Black College and Hispanic Serving Institution. She assumed the reins on March 1, 2007 on the occasion of St. Philip’s 109th anniversary.She previously served as the Director of Education and Special Assistant for Suborbital and Special Orbital Projects Directorate for the Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility and Chief Education Officer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at its Headquarters in Washington, DC. Her initial appointment at NASA was as the Associate Administrator for Education on October 28, 2002, and prior to joining the Agency, she served as the NASA Administrator’s Senior Education Advisor starting in September 2002. As NASA’s senior education official, she was responsible for structuring the Office of Education, providing executive leadership, policy direction, functional management, and guidance in coordinating the Agency’s overall efforts to organize and enhance its education investments and portfolio nationally and internationally for its Headquarter operations, mission directorates and 10 field centers. Dr. Loston was responsible for a $230 million budget (including earmarks) and directed policy for $1.3 billion.Dr. Loston has served as President of San Jacinto College South, Executive Dean/Provost in the El Paso Community College District, Dean of Vocational Education, Budgets and Facilities, and Dean Professional Programs at Santa Monica College, and has also served in other administrative educational capacities for the past 39 years.Dr. Loston is the product of a historically black college, Alcorn State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1973. She received her Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Bowling Green State University in 1974 and 1979 respectively. She also attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University in 1996; the Oxford Roundtable at Oxford University in 2001; and the Wharton School of Business in 2005.
 
  Dr. Suber Headshot (2013) Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber, 10th President of Saint Augustine’s College, assumed the presidency of the College on December 1, 1999. Under her presidency, the College has experienced increased enrollment, reinstituted the football program, fielded a marching band, expanded the adult learners program, established innovative degree granting programs to include Biomedical and Scientific Communication, Criminal Justice Forensic Science and the Center for Real Estate Development and Property Management and reinstated the dual degree program in Engineering with North Carolina State University.The first female to lead the institution,

Dr. Suber is an experienced educator and administrator with 30 years of teaching, consulting and administrative experience in preschool and higher education.  She has served as a classroom teacher; elementary and middle school principal, university professor and consultant to several national educational organizations. Prior to assuming the helm at Saint Augustine’s College,

Dr. Suber has recently been appointed to serve on the Secretary of Education’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Capital Financing Advisory Board. She also currently serves as a Commissioner for the American Council on Education (ACE) Commission on Women in Higher Education (OWHE). She currently serves as the Cooperating Raleigh Colleges (CRC), President. President Suber also serves on the Board of Directors of the Central Region of Wachovia Bank; the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA); the United Negro College Fund; the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU); the Business and Technology Center; the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; the Communities In Schools of Wake County; and the Marbles Kids Museum. Dr. Suber is also a member of the United Negro College Fund’s Executive, Bylaws and Nominating Committees; the Association of Episcopal Colleges (AEC); the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Executive and Nominating Committees; The Women’s Network of Wake County, Grants Committee; the Consortium of Doctors, LTD; the Southeast Raleigh Improvement Assembly; the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County; the Rotary Club, and she is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Dr. Suber previously served on the former President’s Board of Advisors to the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

 
   Dr. Perry W. Ward serves as president of Lawson State Community College. Under his leadership, the college has strengthened its academic programs and increased student enrollment; enhanced relationships with business, industry, and the greater community; implemented a capital outlay plan including a premier baseball stadium, residential facility and the Alabama Center for Advanced Technology and Training.He earned a B.A. from Miles College, M.S.W. in Social Work and Ph.D. in Educational Administration/Higher Education from the University of Alabama. Dr. Ward’s many affiliations include Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges, Chair of Committee on Directors for AACC, President of the Alabama Community College System President’s Association, Red Mountain Park Commission and Board of Directors of Summerfest Musical Theatre.Dr. Perry Ward was honored with the I-D-E-A Academy of Fellows Distinguished Educators Award and the Kermit Mathison Outstanding Junior College Administrator Award.He is married to Ann Ward and the father of three children.