Mississippi Valley State University has hired a new administrator to serve as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Dr. Jerryl Briggs, 52, began work in the newly created position at Valley on Dec. 2. He brings with him more than 25 years of experience in higher education administration, most recently as vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Central State University, a historically black university in Wilberforce, Ohio.
Prior to joining the administration at Central State, Briggs served as dean of students and vice president of enrollment management and student affairs at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
While at Lincoln, Briggs worked with Valley President William Bynum. Two other recently appointed Valley administrators — Vice President of Student Affairs Jacqueline Gibson and Athletic Director Dianthia Ford-Kee, who were both hired in November — worked at Lincoln, the oldest historically black university in the country.
Briggs has also held positions at Clark Atlanta University, the College of William and Mary, Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois.
Former Central State University President John W. Garland spoke highly of Briggs, according to a press release from MVSU announcing the hiring.
“Dr. Briggs has always acted in a professional manner and has maintained strong ethical standards,” Garland said. “I had the utmost confidence in his ability and unwavering dedication to our students and the broader higher education profession.”
With extensive experience working as an administrator at historically black institutions, Briggs stressed the importance those colleges and universities play.
“Institutions like Mississippi Valley State University are most dear to my heart,” said Briggs in a prepared statement. “They have been a part of my life, both educationally and professionally. I deeply value our history, mission and experiences, and we must assure future generations have these same opportunities on our campuses. I also value our commitment to diversity and inclusion, realizing that all individuals who seek a top-quality higher education can get that at institutions like ours.”
A native of Chicago who grew up in New Orleans, Briggs holds a doctorate in educational policy, planning and leadership from the College of William and Mary. Briggs completed his bachelor’s degree in chemistry education at Xavier University of Louisiana and also holds a master’s in human relations and supervision from Louisiana Tech University. He also completed Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management program.
