Dr. LeGrande was introduced as the sole finalist to become the 9th President of Prairie View A&M University following a nationwide search. Mr. John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University recommended her for the position which was approved by the Board at its November 10 meeting. Under state law, the Board of Regents must name a finalist for at least 21 days before finalizing the appointment. Dr. LeGrand was subsequently confirmed by the Board of December 7, 2022.
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. at the time 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 over several Commencements and Homecoming festivities. She also hosted several events to recognize the alumni.
After a year as president, LeGrande gradually made some changes in the administration living by her promise to assess the environment and determine what works and what needed improvements. She appointed Dr. Michael McFrazier as Vice President for Strategy & Transformation. McFrazier formerly served as Interim President and Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. She also appointed Dr. Edward Willis as Vice President for Student Affairs. He originally served in a consulting role and formerly a Senior Fellow at the 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. Others hired include Dr. Aashir Nasim, Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs previously the Vice President and Senior Advisor to the President and Vice President for Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success at Virginia Commonwealth University; Mr. Anton Goff as the Athletics Director. He formerly served as Senior Associate Athletics Director at Northern Illinois University; Ms. Shena L. Crittendon was named Senior Executive Director for Presidential Communications, formerly of Virginia Commenwealth University and Mr. Jeff Shaw CFRE as Vice President For University Advancement, formerly Vice President For Institutional Advancement and Executive Director for the Foundation at Harris-Stowe State University and Associate Vice President for advancement at Texas Southern 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.
Having put new administrators in place and engaging outside entities to assist with her plan and strategy, LeGrand commissioned a team to look to the future 10 years out for Prairie View A&M University. Since 1876 Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) has provided transformative educational experiences for tens of thousands of students who carry our rich legacy of excellence into the world. When we say, “excellence lives here”, it is evidenced by our outstanding alumni, our high-quality academic programs and the groundbreaking research we produce. Yet, excellence is not a resting place—for PVAMU it is a constant pursuit. We must be in a continuous state of transformation, ensuring that we are providing the most prolific and innovative educational experiences to all we serve. We must be on a constant quest for eminence.
As we look to the future, we are mindful of the challenges and changes facing higher education, emphasizing the need for our university to be nimble innovative, and responsive to a shifting landscape. We look to the future of this university over the next 10 years through the lens of our newly developed strategic plan – PVAMU 2035: Journey to Eminence.
No comments:
Post a Comment