Tougaloo College has announced three finalists in its ongoing search for the institution’s 15th president, following recent campus visits that included meetings with faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The finalists visited campus between January 21 and January 23, engaging with multiple campus constituencies as part of the search process.
The presidential search officially launched in August after the Tougaloo College Faculty Senate issued a vote of no confidence in current President Donzell Lee. President Lee is expected to remain in his role through June 2026.
Presidential Finalists
Elfred Anthony Pinkard
Dr. Pinkard most recently served as president of Wilberforce University from 2018 until his retirement in 2023. Prior to that role, he was executive vice president and chief operating officer at Johnson C. Smith University. His career also includes senior administrative roles at Colgate University, The College of Wooster, and California State University.
Archie Tucker II
Dr. Tucker currently serves as president of Push Pull Solutions, a Texas-based consulting firm specializing in external relations, government affairs, philanthropy, fundraising, and organizational leadership development. Previously, he served as chief development officer at Mississippi Valley State University, with earlier roles at Coahoma Community College and Delta State University.
Corey Wiggins
Dr. Wiggins currently serves as federal co-chair of the Delta Regional Authority, a presidential appointment confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate. He previously served as executive director of the Mississippi State Conference NAACP and as senior vice president at Hope Enterprise Corporation. His academic experience includes teaching roles at University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson State University, and University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The Presidential Search Committee is co-chaired by Blondean Davis, chair of the Tougaloo College Board of Trustees, along with Shirlethia Franklin and Carol Puckett Palmer.
Committee membership includes trustees, faculty, staff, student leadership, alumni representation, and a community representative, reflecting a cross-section of institutional stakeholders.
The Board of Trustees expects to announce the next president before the spring.