Philander Smith College has formally named Dr. Maurice D. Gipson as its fifteenth president, marking a brand new chapter in management for the historic Little Rock-based HBCU.
The appointment was confirmed in Could 2025 by the college’s Board of Trustees after Dr. Gipson served as interim president since August 2024. His choice follows a nationwide search and displays the board’s confidence in his imaginative and prescient for the establishment’s future.
Dr. Gipson brings a wealth of upper training management expertise to his new position. Earlier than stepping in as interim president, he served as Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Range, and Fairness on the College of Missouri. His profession additionally consists of administrative positions at Arkansas State College, the College of Texas at Austin, Wiley Faculty, and Huston-Tillotson College.
With a deep dedication to training and advocacy, Dr. Gipson’s background spans each educational and authorized experience. He earned a Ph.D. in historical past from the College of Mississippi, a Juris Physician from Southern College Regulation Heart, a grasp’s diploma in historical past from Missouri State College, and a bachelor’s diploma from Louisiana State College. He’s additionally a licensed lawyer.
Philander Smith College, based in 1877, has lengthy been identified for its dedication to educational excellence and social justice. The establishment’s mission emphasizes making ready graduates who aren’t solely career-ready but additionally engaged residents who contribute to their communities.
Dr. Gipson’s management comes at a pivotal time because the college continues to increase educational applications, strengthen neighborhood partnerships, and improve pupil assist providers. His expertise in range, fairness, and inclusion aligns with Philander Smith’s core values and its longstanding dedication to empowering underrepresented college students.
The transition from interim to everlasting president indicators stability for the establishment, which has navigated management adjustments in recent times. Dr. Gipson’s appointment is anticipated to carry continuity to strategic initiatives already underway, together with enrollment progress, college improvement, and campus infrastructure enhancements.
In assuming the presidency, Dr. Gipson takes the helm of an HBCU with a wealthy historical past and a transparent mission for the long run. His management will play a important position in shaping how Philander Smith College continues to satisfy the evolving wants of its college students and the broader neighborhood.
The appointment additionally provides to the checklist of dynamic leaders throughout the HBCU panorama who’re guiding their establishments by a quickly altering increased training atmosphere. For Philander Smith, the second represents each an acknowledgment of Dr. Gipson’s work throughout his interim tenure and a dedication to a forward-looking imaginative and prescient below his steering.
As Dr. Gipson begins his tenure because the college’s fifteenth president, the HBCU neighborhood might be watching intently to see how his management impacts enrollment, educational innovation, and Philander Smith’s affect each domestically and nationally.
