Progress Made Towards Naming Interim President for Grambling

Baton Rouge – University of Louisiana System President Randy Moffett has spent the last few weeks identifying and researching candidates to serve as Interim President for Grambling State University. The UL System Board of Supervisors plans to name an interim as soon as schedules allow for an emergency meeting.

“We are very close,” said Moffett. “I know Grambling’s campus community is anxious to move forward, but I want to reassure them that we are proceeding cautiously and meticulously to ensure the right person will lead while we conduct an open, national search for a permanent president.”

Until an interim president is named by the Board, Grambling’s second-in-command, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Robert Dixon, continues to oversee the day-to-day activities of the university under the supervision of the UL System office. During this transitional time, the UL System will only approve critical personnel needs and changes.

“As with any leadership change, it is important to keep operations stable while we search for a new leader. My staff and I are in communication with Grambling on a daily basis,” said Moffett.

Grambling’s seventh president, Horace A. Judson, resigned on Oct. 31 after five years at the helm.

UL System Board Rules call for the System President to recommend an interim president. Board Rules also outline an extensive search process for hiring a permanent university president, which involves an open, national search. At least one meeting will be held on campus early in the process to obtain input from students, faculty, staff and alumni regarding desired qualifications for candidates.

Founded in 1901 as a private industrial school to educate African-American citizens in north central Louisiana, Grambling is a comprehensive university offering undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education programs. Situated on a 383-acre campus in the small town of Grambling, the historically black university has almost 5,000 students.

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EIGHT UNIVERSITIES STRONG: The largest higher education system in the state, the UL System enrolls almost 82,000 students at Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.