ASU Board Approves New President | News

Alabama State University's Board of Trustees gave its formal approval in a called meeting this morning to hire a new president.

The Board of Trustees approved Dr. Joseph Silver to serve as Alabama State University’s 13th president, said board chairman, Elton N. Dean, Sr. 

ASU was founded 145 years ago in 1867 by nine former slaves in Marion, Ala. The University has been located in Montgomery since the late 19th century.

The ASU Board selected Silver almost one month ago after a year-long search by a 15-member presidential search committee, Dean said.

"Today, the ASU family and public will have the opportunity to meet this dynamic and innovative educator and leader," said Dean.

ASU's incoming president is currently provost and vice president of academic affairs at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga.  Dr. Silver is the architect of Clark Atlanta University’s new strategic plan and its implementation. As provost, he is the leading fundraiser for the University.

Before his tenure at Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Silver was the vice president of the Commission on Colleges for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools beginning in 2006, vice president for academic affairs and professor of political science at Savannah State University; assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University System of Georgia and was an instructor and assistant/associate professor at Kennesaw State University.

Dr. Silver received his undergraduate degree from St. Augustine’s College, and his master’s and doctorate degrees in political science from Atlanta University.

After receiving his doctorate, Silver was selected to participate in summer programs at Oxford University in the United Kingdom, Stanford University, The Freedom Foundation, the American Judicature Society and the ACE Leadership Program. He is a native of North Carolina.

Presidential Search Committee chairman and Board member, Judge Marvin Wiggins, said that the year-long search was well worth it since ASU discovered Dr. Silver.
 
"ASU's new president has the expertise, background and vigor to continue the University's important Vision 2020 Plan, and its academic and physical transformation, well into the 21st century," said Judge Wiggins.

Information Source: ASU