Allegra Brigham, CEO and general manager of 4-County Electric Power Association, has been named interim president at the Mississippi University for Women.
The state College Board made the decision Friday during a meeting on the Columbus campus.
Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds cited Brigham's management and communication skills as contributing factors for her selection. Bounds described Brigham as business-savvy and with ties to MUW at a time when the struggling university needs her.
MUW President Claudia Limbert announced in October that she would retire at the end of June when her current contract ends. She had been at MUW since April 2002.
The College Board committee is in the process of searching for a new president at MUW, which has an enrollment of 2,478 students.
MEC President Blake Wilson said Brigham brings a broad business background to the university, especially in terms of marketing MUW.
"Dr. Limbert has done an outstanding job of building the academics at MUW. Allegra can come in and put an emphasis on finances and marketing," Wilson said.
Brigham earned her bachelor's and masters degrees from MUW. She was named to the post at 4-County in 2003 and has been with the electric cooperative for more than 20 years.
In February, Brigham was named to serve on the board of directors for the Memphis Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Brigham also serves on the board of directors of the Mississippi Economic Council, as chairwoman of the Columbus-Lowndes Development LINK and vice chair of the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association.
Brigham previously worked as MUW's director for public relations.
The MUW presidency is one of three that must be addressed by the College Board. The other two are at Alcorn State University and Jackson State University, where interim presidents have been named.
I feel she will do a good job and it does not matter with me is she does not have a Phd, as she has done a very good job with four county and She is a people person
I was happy to see this, and I know she will do a really great job. I don't mind the fact that she does not have a Phd or anything like that,because she has done a good job with Four County, and she is a good people person.
you can have a PHd and not be able to sell the school and the W will have gained nothing. if this lady can sell the school and market the school, the lack of a PDd is irrelavent
I'm sure she will be able to help the W in many ways, but I really feel that if community colleges can employ presidents with PhD's then MUW should as well. I really wish we had a person with an EdD or PhD in this position.
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