11/30/2010 - Lorman, Miss.

The Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning announced today the unanimous decision to name Dr. Christopher Brown as president of Alcorn State University. Dr. Brown currently serves as Executive Vice President and Provost of Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn.

"This is indeed a bright day for Alcorn State University," said C.D. Smith, chair of the Board Search Committee for the Alcorn State University presidential search, an ad hoc committee of the Board of Trustees. "He has the experience, energy and enthusiasm to move Alcorn forward, while building on its rich tradition and history. We expect great things from Dr. Brown."

Prior to joining the staff of Fisk University, Dr. Brown served as Dean of the College of Education at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Vice President for Programs and Administration at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher education and Director of Social Justice and Professional Development for the American Educational Research Association.

"I am impressed with Alcorn State University's unique role on the higher education landscape as the first state-sponsored historically black college. I am humbled and honored that the Board of Trustees has selected me for this important role at this important time," said Dr. Christopher Brown. "I look forward to working with each member of the Alcorn family to create an even brighter future for the jewel of Southwest Mississippi."

He is the author of 15 books and monographs, including the most recent, Ebony Towers in Higher Education (2008), The Broken Cisterns of African American Education (2009) and The Case for Affirmative Action on Campus (2009).

Dr. Brown received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from South Carolina State University and a master's degree in educational policy and evaluation from the University of Kentucky. He holds a doctorate in higher education from The Pennsylvania State University with a cognate in public administration and political science.

Earlier today, Dr. Brown met with campus constituency groups on a visit to the campus in Lorman. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members were able to pose questions to Dr. Brown and share their thoughts and concerns with him. Attendees were able to provide feedback to the Board of Trustees. This feedback was reviewed during the Board Meeting on the Lorman Campus.

Dr. Brown will begin serving as president of Alcorn State University in January.

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Christopher Brown | ASU Presidential Search

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