Who will be Grambling State University's next president? This group will make the hire

Greg Hilburn, Shreveport Times
·2 min read
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New University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot's first order of business will be finding his replacement at Grambling State University, one of America's signature Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Gallot, Grambling's president since 2016, was named last month to lead the nine-university system of which GSU is a member.

He and current University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson, who is leaving that job to take over as Louisiana Tech University's president, are co-chairs of a search committee seeking the next leader of Grambling.

Gallot said Grambling alumni and supporters should take comfort in knowing he will continue to be connected to his alma mater as system president.

"I'm moving to a new role, but my job performance is still inextricably tied to the success of Grambling and the other universities in the system," Gallot said. "We worked way too hard to go backward."

Under Gallot's leadership, Grambling was removed from the fiscal watch list and enjoyed enrollment gains.

James Bradford, a non-voting member of the search committee and former president of the GSU National Alumni Association, said the next president must be able to build on gains made by Gallot.

"The main thing is the next president must be committed and loyal and make decisions based on what's best for Grambling and not themselves," he said.

Bradford had often been at odds with previous presidents before Gallot, often publicly critical of their performance.

"I don't have a vote, but I do have a voice and you can bet I'll be heard," he said.

Current Grambling State University President Rick Gallot will co-chair the search committee for his successor. Gallot is leaving Grambling to become president of the University of Louisiana System.
Current Grambling State University President Rick Gallot will co-chair the search committee for his successor. Gallot is leaving Grambling to become president of the University of Louisiana System.

Following are the committee members who will hire the next GSU president in the first quarter of 2024:

Current University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson, chair, non-voting; current Grambling President Rick Gallot, co-chair, non-voting; Liz Pierre, UL System Board chair; Jimmy Clarke, UL System Board vice chair; Barry Busada, UL System Board member; Steve Davison, UL System Board member; Lola Dunahoe, UL System Board member; Al Perkins, UL System Board member; Virgil Robinson, UL System Board member;

Bailey Willis, UL System Student Board member; Gary Poe, Faculty Senate president; David Aubrey, community representative, Louisiana AT&T president, GSU alumnus, non-voting; Alvin Bradley, community representative, Grambling mayor, non-voting; James Bradford, community representative, consultant for WestRock, GSU alum, non-voting; Wilbert "Coach" Ellis, community representative, retired from GSU, non-voting;

Alexa Johnson, SGA President, non-voting; Frederick L. Pinkney, community representative, member of Louisiana Board of Nursing, GUS alum, non-voting; Tammy Richardson, community representative, president of the GSU National Alumni Association, non-voting; Rodney Welch, community representative, West Monroe City Council, GSU alum, non-voting.

More: Louisiana Tech, Grambling State presidents changing after blockbuster moves by state board

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Who will be Grambling State University's next president?