President

PRESIDENTIAL PROFILE

The Southern University System invites applications and nominations for the position of system president.

What began as a dream more than 146 years ago is today a living legacy of determination, commitment and success. The Southern University System was created in 1974 by Louisiana constitutional mandate, which fashioned it into the nation's only historically Black 1890 Land-Grant University system. Presently, the system is composed of five institutions: Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College Baton Rouge (SUBR), founded in 1880; Southern University Law Center (SULC), founded in 1947; Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), founded in 1956; Southern University Shreveport (SUSLA), founded in 1964; and the Southern University Cooperative Extension Program, founded in 1972; which became the fifth component of the system in 2001 and is now the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC).

With a vision of serving as a premier university system of choice for all students who seek exceptional educational opportunities, the mission of the Southern University System is to support, protect and advance the unique missions of its member institutions by offering quality educational programs, innovative research and community engagement opportunities that prepare students to become global leaders.

Our full-service university system has two four-year colleges offering baccalaureate degrees, master's degrees, doctoral research and professional degrees (SUBR and SUNO), a law center offering professional doctoral degrees (SULC), a community college offering certificates, diplomas and associate degrees (SUSLA), and an agricultural research and extension center (SUAREC) which are all fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The global footprint of the Southern University System allows each of its campuses to advance, support and promote economic, cultural and workforce development initiatives that bring benefits beyond the borders of the great state of Louisiana. The campuses of the Southern University System pride themselves on having distinct learning environments, each with its own identity and brand. Yet, despite the differences in the constituencies that each campus serves, the Southern University System continues to provide value-added education that is both affordable and accessible to all.

As of fall 2025, the Louisiana Board of Regents reported data shows the Southern University System's total headcount enrollment is 14,645 students.

Search Prospectus

To learn more about the opportunity, download the prospectus by clicking here.

ABOUT THE SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

The Southern University System is the only historically Black university system in America. The system has a diverse enrollment with locations in Louisiana's largest cities - Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport. A law school and agricultural and research center are also located in the capital city of Baton Rouge. Additionally, the agricultural and research center has a presence in all 64 parishes in Louisiana.

We are a university whose seeds are both urban and rural, and our impact is global. The next president of the Southern University System will lead this institution and its campuses towards global impact to continue changing lives in their respective communities while being responsive to regional intellectual, cultural and labor needs by offering economic and workforce development that bring benefits to the state and region.

CORE LEADERSHIP

The successful candidate as president will be responsible for the university system and serve as the chief executive officer at the pleasure of the Southern University Board of Supervisors (board). This individual will guide the board in shaping a vision for the system and execute strategies to achieve excellence in representing the system's public agenda for higher education, where we embrace our vital role as a leader in workforce solutions, community and economic development. Specifically, aligning the strategic plans of each campus within the Southern University System, thereby reinforcing our motto: We Are Southern - Five Campuses, One Vision ... Global Excellence!

The Southern University System seeks for the president to enhance the student population by emphasizing educational access for students without regard to gender, ethnic background, religion, geographical or national origin, age or physical challenges. The system's shared vision is to pursue excellence in providing leadership on the state, regional, national and international levels for education, research and service activities consistent with the system's strategic goals and strengths.

STRATEGIC PLAN

The system is guided by its strategic plan, Fulfilling the Promise: A Pathway to Excellence 2018-2025. This plan is operationalized through seven broad goals, linked to SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-oriented, Time-bound) objectives, which are centered on our shared mission.

The goals are:

1. Commitment to student access and affordability
2. Commitment to academic excellence and student success
3. Commitment to institutional effectiveness and accountability
4. Commitment to scholarly research, discovery and entrepreneurship
5. Commitment to fundraising and philanthropic support
6. Commitment to improve campus life through infrastructural development
7. Commitment to promote the Southern University brand through outreach and global engagement.

To demonstrate accountability to our internal and external constituencies, Fulfilling the Promise: A Pathway to Excellence 2018-2025 is accompanied by an annual performance accountability scorecard that employs a series of performance indicators and metrics.

ADVANCING THE PATHWAY

The Southern University community expects its next president to continue advancing the pathway for the entire system. While many goals have been achieved statewide, recurring budget cuts have posed challenges for Louisiana's institutions of higher education. In the role of the president of the Southern University System, you will assume many responsibilities and focus on advancing a culture of institutional excellence through:

• Renewed focus and structure
• Institutional advancement
• Academic excellence
• Increased admissions, recruitment and retention
• Enhanced research and strategic initiatives
• Capital improvements
• Effective planning and policy
• Improved public perception

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate for president must possess certain characteristics that are paramount and essential to effectively and positively leading the Southern University System. In selecting a candidate or candidates for presentation to the Board of Supervisors, the presidential search committee will assess applicants for the following required and preferred qualifications:

REQUIRED: The candidate must provide evidence of (1) experience in successful budget management, resource development and financial management; (2) ability to oversee and provide administrative oversight for a diverse corps of campuses and employees; (3) ability to efficaciously procure resources for and increase the funding base of the system and its institutions; (4) proven political astuteness and extensive knowledge of the legislative processes; and (5) excellent verbal and written communication skills.

PREFERRED: Preferably, the candidate will possess: (1) an earned doctorate degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education; (2) senior level administrative experience, preferably in higher education; (3) personal qualities of outstanding integrity that will inspire and motivate students and employees throughout the system; (4) commitment to working with diverse constituencies of a university system and its campuses including its students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners, as well as a commitment to public service, a global perspective and intellectual diversity; (5) knowledge of current issues in higher education, development and implementation of academic programs and accreditation standards; (6) dedication to the various missions of the system and its component institutions, as well as have a strong commitment to strengthening the system's land-grant status and programs; and (7) evidence of success in development and implementation in the areas of academics, facilities, strategic planning; and demonstrated involvement in the community.

NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATION

Review of application materials will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. To ensure full consideration, application materials should include:

• A letter of interest
• A comprehensive CV/resume
• Full contact information (name, phone number and email) for three professional references

All materials should be submitted electronically to SUSPresident@tm2search.com.

TM² Executive Search is assisting the Southern University System in the application process. For more information and confidential inquiries, please contact:

Dr. Amanda Washington Lockett
President
Amanda.Lockett@tm2search.com

Jessica Horton
Principal
Jessica.Horton@tm2search.com

Dr. Will Anyu
Principal
Will.Anyu@tm2search.com