October 7, 2024 – Alcorn State University has officially inaugurated its 21st president, Dr. Tracey Cook. The formal inauguration ceremony took place on October 4th in the Davey L. Whitney HPER Complex and encompassed a number of events including a worship service, president’s brunch, game night and concert on the green.
“I feel so great thankful that God has granted me this opportunity to lead a university that I love dearly,” said Cook.
Dr. Cook previously served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at the institution. An Alcorn alumnus, Cook holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics (1994) and master’s degrees in agronomy (1996) and educational administration and supervision (1998) from the university. He further advanced his education with specialist and doctoral degrees from William Carey University.
Cook was appointed by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) and assumed to role as president in April 2024.
About Alcorn State University
Alcorn State University is a public historically black land-grant university adjacent to Lorman, Mississippi. It was founded in 1871 and was the first black land grant college established in the United States. The university is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.