Fort Valley State University has announced the appointment of Dr. Derrick Scott, as its next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 1, 2025. A nationally respected STEM scholar and higher education leader, Dr. Scott brings over 20 years of experience in academic innovation, research strategy, and student-centered leadership.
Dr. Scott currently serves as Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences and Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University. During his tenure, VSU experienced significant growth in enrollment, retention, and research output—contributing to its elevation as a Carnegie R2 research institution.
“Dr. Scott is a transformational leader whose track record of advancing academic excellence, driving innovation, and championing access aligns perfectly with our university’s mission and vision,” said FVSU President Paul Jones, Ph.D.
Prior to his work at VSU, Dr. Scott held key leadership roles at Delaware State University, including founding Executive Director of the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory and Director of the Center for Health Disparities. He played a pivotal role in leading the university’s COVID-19 testing response and secured over $15 million in research funding to expand health innovation efforts.
A first-generation college graduate and proud HBCU alum, Dr. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Virginia State University, a master’s degree from Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. in integrative biology with a concentration in bioinformatics from the University of South Carolina. He also completed postdoctoral work in bioinformatics.
Nationally recognized for his contributions to STEM and research equity, Dr. Scott was named one of the “1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists in America” by Cell Mentor and appointed by President Joe Biden to the National Board for Education Sciences.
“Fort Valley State University stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation,” said Dr. Scott. “I’m honored to help advance the land-grant mission and position FVSU as a national model for innovation, access, and academic excellence.”
The search was led by TM² Executive Search, the executive recruitment arm of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which serves as the only executive search firm dedicated to identifying transformational leaders for historically Black colleges and universities.