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DR. ALFRED
RANKINS, JR.
Commissioner of Higher Education
State of Mississippi SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr. was appointed to serve as Com-
missioner of Higher Education by the Board of Trustees
of State Institutions of Higher Learning on March 22,
2018 and began serving in this role on July 1, 2018. As
Commissioner, Dr. Rankins provides leadership to the
university system, including all eight public universities
in Mississippi.
Prior to being named Commissioner of Higher Educa-
tion, Dr. Rankins served as the 19th president of Alcorn
State University, the nation's oldest public land-grant
HBCU. Under his leadership, the university excelled in
academics and athletics and was noted nationally for
its commitment to the student experience. During his
four years as president of his alma mater, Dr. Rankins
provided leadership that helped the university enroll its University on March 4, 2014. Prior to that, Dr. Rankins
largest freshman class in its history and increased the served as deputy commissioner for the Institutions of
average ACT scores of entering freshmen for three con- Higher Learning (IHL). While serving as deputy com-
secutive years. The university achieved its highest ever missioner, He also served as acting president of Missis-
ranking by College Consensus as the #7 best HBCU sippi Valley State University. Prior to his appointment
and #1 best public HBCU in the nation. The universi- at IHL, Dr. Rankins served on the faculty at Mississippi
ty has established new academic programs and made State University (MSU), where he was a tenured asso-
important discoveries through its research. In athletics, ciate professor in the College of Agriculture and Life
Alcorn has also won several conference championships Sciences and extension specialist with the MSU Exten-
and a national championship, while graduating stu- sion Service.
dent-athletes in record numbers.
A native of Greenville, Mississippi, Dr. Rankins re-
As President, Dr. Rankins improved campus infrastruc- ceived a Bachelor of Science degree from Alcorn State
ture and initiated and completed major capital projects. University and both Master of Science and Doctor of
In addition to the 1,700-acre Lorman campus, the uni- Philosophy degrees from Mississippi State University.
versity also includes branch locations in Natchez and Dr. Rankins and his wife, Juandalyn, have two children
Vicksburg. He was named President of Alcorn State Aftyn and Alfred.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HBCU TITLE III ADMINISTRATORS, INC. 7
