JACKSON — The state College Board said it”s close to naming an interim president for Mississippi University for Women, and chose a retired professor to serve as interim president of Jackson State University after President Ronald Mason Jr. departs at the end of June, at its Thursday meeting.
Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds said he recommended Leslie Burl McLemore or the Jackson State job because of his management skills.
McLemore, 69, has worked at JSU for 39 years, serving as a political science professor, dean of the graduate school and director of the office of research administration. McLemore retired from JSU in 2009, but he”s the director of the Fannie Lou Hamer National Institute on Citizenship and Democracy, which is housed on the campus.
McLemore also served as president of the Jackson City Council.
“The fact of the matter is we”re in a very difficult economic situation. Jackson State, in particular, is really struggling,” Bounds said. “We need someone with really good management skills.”
Bounds also said he”s close to making a recommendation for a temporary replacement for Mississippi University for Women President Claudia Limbert, who also leaves in June. He said the announcement could be made at the board”s regularly scheduled meeting next month or sooner.
The College Board on Thursday also selected committees to begin the search to fill those positions, along with another at Alcorn State University that occurred after former president George Ross left in February to become president of Central Michigan University. Norris Edney is serving as ASU”s interim president.
Mason will become president at the Southern University System, based in Baton Rouge, La., overseeing three academic campuses, a law school and an agricultural center.
Limbert and Mason were honored with resolutions on Thursday. Board officials said Limbert had been named a president emeritus for MUW. Limbert announced her retirement last October. She said she wanted to spend time with family and return to writing books.
This is the first time in recent history that three college president searches were conducted simultaneously, Bounds said.
He said the College Board will continue to keep candidates” names confidential, a policy that has drawn criticism in the past.
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