Under state law, the Board of Regents must name a finalist for at least 21 days before finalizing the appointment. She was subsequently confirmed by the Board of December 7, 2022.
On Devember 1, 2022, Dr. LeGrande visited the university and was formally introduced the university and the community by Mr. Kendrick Jones, member of the Search Committee and Waller County Commissioner Precinct 3.
More than 500 persons, including the search committee and system officials, were on hand to greet and welcome Dr. LaGrande in the Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium for the Click Here for Youtube Public Forum
LaGrande shared her personal life experiences leading up to the appointment of President which included her graduation from college, employment with various universities and her accomplishments. She also expressed her vision for the unviersity and the support and cooperation from the staff, faculty, students and the community. “PVAMU has a strong legacy of transforming the lives of its students and contributing to the surrounding region and state of Texas, both educationally and economically,” LeGrande said in a statement. "I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, and community as we honor and build upon the university's powerful legacy and upward trajectory.” LaGrande fielded several questions from the audience and stated that she was looking forward to serving the university.
Since assuming the presidency on June 1, 2023, LeGrande has met with several stakeholders of the university - faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, corporate partners and community leaders, where she shared her plan and goals for Prairie View A&M University. During her first 100 days at the helm, Dr. LeGrande has outlined her commitment to enhancing the academic and social experiences of the students by the faculty and staff. LeGrande's visionary plan calls for assigning three advisers to the students that will focus on the academic, financial and career aspects of the students. She believes that the university has a responsibility to prepare the students for the outside world and she is counting on everyone to do their part. She has participated in a number of activities to include the Ribbon Cutting of the New College of Engineering student labs, research and classrooms, confirmed as new School of Public and Allied Health, presided the Summer Commencement and Homecoming festivities. Incidentally, LeGrande hosted a special event for the May Graduates whos commencement was incomplete because of the weather. Graduates received a special commissioned PVAMU Portfolio and engraved pens.
When you look around for administrative changes, LeGrande is slowly pulling a team together to achieve the goals established. Dr. Michael McFrazier, who formerly served as Interim President from February to May 31, was named Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Whitlowe Green College of Education. Dr. Beverly Copeland was named Special Assistant to the President for Special Projects. Copeland formerly service as Vice President for Student Affairs. Mr. Anton Goff was name the new Athletics Director. He formerly served as Senior Associate Athletics Director at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Edward Willis was named Interim Vice President for Student Affairs. He formerly served as Senior FellowSenior Fellow John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education and Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Enrollment Management and Student Success at Southern University and A&M College- Baton Rouge and Ms. Shena L. Crittendon was named Senior Executive Director for Presidential Communications, formerly of Virginia Commenwealth University. Dr. LeGrande formerly served as Vice President for Strategy, Enrollment Management and Student Success at Virginia Commonwealth University, would not assume her duties at Prairie View A&M until the end of the 2022-23 school year. LeGrande first joined Virginia Commonwealth in following a six-year stint 2012-2018 as an administrator for student affairs and enrollment management at the University of Houston-Downtown. She holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Texas Tech University.
Prior to her duties in Houston, Dr. LeGrande worked at North Carolina A&T State University and Winston-Salem State University. She received her bachelor’s in chemistry from Savannah State University and a master’s in chemistry from North Carolina A&T State University.
In May, a 14-member committee was created to conduct a national search to find Dr. Simmons’ successor. The search was led by Bill Mahomes, Vice Chairman of the Board of Regents, and Regent Elaine Mendoza.
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