Dr. John S. Wilson Jr. has an outstanding resume. So much so that he was headhunted after a rigorous nationwide search to take on the role as president of Morehouse College.
Wilson, who officially started his new job on Monday, has an exciting and challenging task ahead of him as Morehouse and other HBCUs struggle to remain relevant and financially viable in a more competitive higher education environment.
“It is clear across all higher education establishments that the current financial model is unsustainable,” says Wilson in his first print or online media interview since taking office. “HBCU’s are no different. It’s incumbent upon leadership to figure out ways to be innovative and creative when it comes to our financial models.”
Indeed, the financial recession is still taking its toll on U.S. higher education. HBCUs, for the most part, have faced greater challenges than predominately white institutions, from dwindling enrollment rates to competition from cheaper online colleges.
Therefore, Wilson says his short-term goal for the prestigious all-male liberal arts college is to stabilize the campus and strengthen the infrastructure.
For the future, he plans to “vigorously pursue capital preeminence” such as state-of the-art infrastructure. He also wants to focus on “character preeminence,” which he says is “not just educating smart people but educating and graduating good people as well.”
Looking at his track record, it is clear Wilson is passionate and committed to academic excellence and advancing the interest of black colleges.
“HBCUs are a very special class of institution and they have an important place in history and America’s future,” he says. “It’s important not to get completely distracted by the challenge to survive so we can embrace the challenge to thrive.”
He comes to Morehouse from the Obama administration where he served as director of the White House initiative on historically black colleges and universities. He worked to strengthen the capacity of 105 HBCUs and led his team to work with the White House, 32 federal agencies, and the private corporate and philanthropic sectors in securing capital.
It was under his leadership that the president authorized a major grant — $228 million — directly to benefit HBCUs. In fact, under Obama federal support for HBCUs increased from $3.64 billion in 2008 to $5.3 billion in 2011.
Wilson told theGrio that his new role is an opportunity to pursue many of the key concepts and strategies he worked on at the White House. He says he is poised to lead the discussion and analysis to improve the college’s financial health
“John has been a trusted voice, helping my administration follow through on our commitment to strengthen historically black colleges and universities,” said President Barack Obama in a media release issued by the college. “I wish John the best as he takes on this important new role as the president of Morehouse College and as he continues to inspire more of our nation’s youth to pursue higher education.”
“John has been a leader among leaders, advocating for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and challenging them to be the best they can be,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in the same release. “Morehouse College is fortunate to have John as its next president, and President Obama and I are fortunate to benefit from John’s continuing commitment to reach our national goal of leading the world in college graduates by 2020.”
Wilson, a 1979 Morehouse graduate, comes to the college with more than 25 years of leadership in higher education and a proven track record in institutional fund raising.
In addition, he has extensive expertise in defining and advancing the interests of black colleges through his research at George Washington University, his service on the Spelman College Board of Trustees and as executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
His appointment comes after the January 2012 announcement that Dr. Robert M. Franklin would be transitioning from his role as president at the end of the year. The nationwide search for the right candidate was conducted with professional recruitment firm Heidrick & Struggles.
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