Southern University Board of Supervisors announces presidential search committee
The Southern University Board of Supervisors has officially launched the Southern University System’s presidential search and announced the members of the committee that will guide the process of selecting the next president of the nation’s only historically Black university system.
The search committee, consisting of faculty, staff, alumni, students, and community and industry leaders, includes:
Jason W. Hughes (Chair)
City Council, District E - Orleans Parish
Atty. Timothy W. Hardy (Vice Chair)
Partner, Breazeale Sachse
Chairman, LCTCS Board of Supervisors
Honorable Dale Atkins
Judge
4th Circuit Court of AppealAtty. Jody Amadee
Partner and Founder, Gauthier– Amadee Law Firm
Sandra Brown, DNS
Vice Chancellor of Health Initiatives
Southern University and A&M College
Bree Cook, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Southern University at New Orleans
Darrin Dixon
Executive Director, Southern University Alumni Federation
Tramelle Howard, JD
State Director, Ed Trust
President, Southern University Quarterback Club
Anthony Igiede, Ph.D.
Faculty Senate President
Southern University and A&M College
Sean Inman
President, Student Government Association
Southern University and A&M College
Isaiah Land
Student, Southern University Law Center
Eric Lane
President, Gerry Lane Enterprises
Atty. James Stewart
District Attorney, Caddo Parish
Tony Clayton
Chairman, Southern University Board of Supervisors
Ex-Officio Member
Reggie Abraham
Vice Chairman, Southern University Board of Supervisors
Ex-Officio Member
Board Chairman Tony Clayton emphasized the significance of this transition and the Board’s commitment to a transparent and inclusive process.
“The selection of our next president marks an important moment in the history of our System,” Clayton said. “This distinguished committee will ensure a thorough, well-structured search reflective of our values as the nation’s only historically black university system.”
The committee is charged with identifying candidates who demonstrate visionary leadership, a commitment to student success and academic excellence, strong financial and operational knowledge, and the ability to advance a complex, multi-campus system. The committee will recommend one to three finalists to the Board by its May 2026 meeting.
“We must be committed to conducting a thorough, inclusive, and transparent process that will identify an exceptional leader for the years ahead,” Clayton added.
In early 2026, the System will launch a dedicated presidential search webpage to provide updates, documents and details on stakeholder engagement opportunities.
About the Southern University System
The Southern University System was created in 1974 by constitutional mandate, which fashioned it into the nation’s only historically Black 1890 Land-Grant University system. Presently, the System is comprised of five institutions: Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (est. 1880), Southern University Law Center (est. 1947), Southern University at New Orleans (est. 1956), Southern University at Shreveport (est. 1964), and the Southern University Cooperative Extension Program (est. 1972), which became the fifth component of the System in 2001 and is now named Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Learn more at sus.edu.