Dr. Mark Brown has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Tuskegee University. His selection marks the first time in the university’s history an alum will lead the institution. He starts July 1.
The retired Air Force Major General succeeds Dr. Charlotte Morris, who announced her retirement after almost 40 years of service.
“The board of trustees conducted a thorough search process, considering candidates from across the nation, and was impressed with Dr. Brown’s vision, expertise and passion for higher education,” said Norma Clayton, chair of the Tuskegee board of trustees.
Brown’s executive experience includes the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, the University of Darden School of Business, the Robert and Edith Broad Academy for Urban School Superintendents and Yale School of Management.
Brown has a bachelor’s from Tuskegee University, a master’s in public administration from Troy University, a master’s of strategic studies from Air Command and Staff College, a master’s in national security strategy from the National War College and a doctorate in education from Baylor University.
“I am grateful and humbled by the board of trustees, faculty, alumni, students, community leaders and all of Mother Tuskegee for the opportunity to return home to lead our university into the second quarter of the 21st century,” said Brown. “Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Morris, I am convinced that Tuskegee is well positioned to continue its global impact by producing students ready for leadership in our rapidly changing world yet grounded in the journey of our forefathers. Gwen and I can’t wait to get started.”
While a major general in the Air Force, he served as deputy commander of Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. His command included the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered Air Forces, Air University and the Air Force Institute of Technology.
After retiring from the Air Force with 32 years of service, he became chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid, which included being responsible for all of the nation’s Title IV funding.
Most recently he served as president and chief executive officer of the Student Freedom Initiative, based in Washington, D.C.
“Dr. Brown has the right combination of experience and innovative thinking that will propel TU to the next level nationally and globally. I appreciate his commitment to serving his alma mater and his dedication to improving the lives of its students,” said Jonathan Porter, trustee and alum who chaired the search committee.
