Christopher Brown hired as Alcorn State University’s new president

By Elizabeth Crisp, Clarion Ledger

The state College Board has hired Christopher Brown to become the 18th president of Alcorn State University.

Brown, 38, currently is vice president and provost at Fisk University in Nashville. He’s expected to start at Alcorn in January.

Brown, a Charleston, S.C.-native, has been fielding questions from campus constituents for most of the day. In meetings with alumni, faculty, students and others, he discussed his vision for Alcorn, touching on athletics, budgets, student activities and fundraising.

“It feels natural,” he said about possibly leading the state’s land grant HBCU. “I’m convinced that this is where I’m supposed to be, and this is where I’m supposed to serve.”

Prior to Fisk, Brown’s university experience had been exclusively at land grant institutions. He earned his bachelor’s degree from South Carolina State University, his master’s from the University of Kentucky and his doctorate from Penn State. He has worked at Penn State, University of Illinois – Urbana, University of Missouri Kansas City and University of Nevada – Las Vegas.

Much of his research has focused on land grant institutions and HBCUs.

“Alcorn is poised to be a national leader among land grant institutions, if we can craft this brand and image,” he said.

The College Board announced last week it had selected Brown as its pick for the ASU presidency following a months-long search process that attracted more than 50 applicants.

“This is a tremendous choice,” said Alcorn State University Foundation executive committee chairman Robert Gage. “We are so excited.”

The board also selected former Norfolk State University President Carolyn Meyers as the potential new leader for Jackson State University. Meyers will be on JSU’s campus Wednesday for similar interview sessions.

The new leaders will be paid what their successors made: $192,937 at Alcorn and $270,500 at JSU.