Mississippi Link Newswire
Jackson State University alumnus and former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige has been chosen to serve as interim president of Jackson State University effective Nov. 7.
The announcement was made by Doug Rouse, president of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning Tuesday morning following an emergency IHL Board meeting in Jackson. Evelyn J. Leggett, provost and senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, will serve as acting president until Paige begins his role. Per College Board policy, interim presidents will not be considered for there permanent president position.
Paige, who is currently retired and living in Houston, Texas, has dedicated his life to breaking through barriers and providing opportunities for young people to succeed. When Paige began school in segregated Mississippi, few would have imagined a future as a national leader in education for him. But that is exactly what the Monticello native has achieved.
Jackson State University played an important role in his story and now he has come home to serve the institution that opened the door to many opportunities that followed.
“We are so pleased that Dr. Paige is going to serve as interim president,” said Rouse. “As an alumnus of the university, we know he will lead with a servant’s heart and guide the university well through this transitional phase. He has a wealth of experience on all levels of education, and we are very fortunate that he is going to share his time and considerable talents with us.”
A national leader in education, Dr. Paige has experience on all levels of education and is recognized for his staunch advocacy of student achievement and his innovative approaches to closing the achievement gap.
Paige did not attend the meeting. He did answer questions from the media via conference call.
“I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful to the trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning and the Jackson State University family for providing me the opportunity to serve this great institution in this important capacity,” said Paige, in a press release. “My life has been immensely enriched by Jackson State University, and I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to join the efforts of Jackson State’s many admirers in enhancing the possibility of others receiving the benefits of a great post-secondary education.”
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