Kimbrough named President of Dillard U.

Walter M. Kimbrough, Ph.D., will take over as president of Dillard University on July 1, 2012. 

 “We are thrilled to bring such an energetic, visionary leader to Dillard,” says board chair Joyce M. Roché. “Dr. Kimbrough is uniquely well-suited to help the university build on its strengths and chart a strategic course for the future.”

Kimbrough joins Dillard after serving for seven years as president of Philander SmithCollege in Little Rock, Ark., where he orchestrated a remarkable revitalization effort. Under his leadership, the college dramatically increased student recruitment and graduation rate. The university also adopted a new mission and greatly raised its stature by focusing on its core values and history as anHBCU and a charter member of the United Negro College Fund.

Kimbrough, who is among the youngest college presidents in the nation, is known for his active use of social media to engage and stay connected with students. “The depth of Dr. Kimbrough’s dedication to students is inspiring,” says Dr. Roché. “He is successful because he puts students’ success above all else.”

Prior tobeginning his tenure at Philander Smith, Kimbrough served for four years as the vice president for student affairs at Albany State University in Albany, Ga. He also served as director of student activities and leadership at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., and held administrative posts at Georgia State University and Emory University.

Kimbrough received a bachelor of science in agriculture with a major in biology from the University of Georgia. He earned a master of science in college student personnel services from Miami University and a doctor of philosophy in higher education from Georgia State University. 

Dillard University president stepping down

Dillard University President Marvalene Hughes announced her plans to retire in the next few months.

Hughes was hired less than two months before 80 percent of New Orleans was flooded by Hurricane Katrina, has been credited with spurring the institution's post-Katrina recovery and helping Dillard to regain its footing.

Prior to coming to Dillard, Hughes served as president of the University of California at Stanislaus, where she oversaw more than $70 million in infrastructural campus improvements, and was credited with increasing enrollment by 40 percent and achieving many national rankings for the first time in the institution's history.

Dr. Hughes received her undergraduate degree from Tuskegee University and her Ph.D. from Florida State University.

Hughes took over the helm at Dillard in July 2005 and said it has been a challenge to serve the institution and help rebuild the historically Black school since Hurricane Katrina.

"It has been challenging and rewarding to serve 'Fair Dillard' over the past six years," Dr. Hughes said. "It was an honor to play a role in rebuilding Dillard, following its devastation at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. Because of your faith in Dillard's rich legacy, together, we have not only preserved the heritage of this stellar institution, but brought it to new heights, positioning Dillard for greater achievements in the 21st century.

"In the months ahead, I will be working tirelessly to sustain and build upon our many successes, and to identify new opportunities to secure Dillard's future," Hughes continued. "We will continue to focus heavily on fundraising to enable us to rebuild Dillard's entire campus.

Dillard University is expected to soon begin its search for her successor.