JACKSON, MS – The Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning named Dr. Tracy M. Cook as the 21st President of Alcorn State University on Thursday. Cook has served as interim president of the university since July 8, 2023. He will assume the role as president on April 1, 2024.

“This decision was made in the long-term best interests of Alcorn State University and its students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” said Dr. Alfred McNair, Board of Trustees President. “There was an obvious desire and call from the Alcorn family for Dr. Cook to be named to this role, and we are putting our full faith and confidence behind this decision. He is the right person to lead Alcorn State University.”

A native of Fayette, Mississippi, Cook earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Alcorn and then earned his doctorate at William Carey University. His time as an athlete at Alcorn has been recognized with his induction in the Alcorn Sports Hall of Fame, his selection as one of the university’s Top 50 Greatest Football Athletes, and the 2023 presentation of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Alumni Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

He has more than 25 years of administrative experience in education, having served in the Jefferson and Claiborne County School Districts as a teacher, athletic director, principal, and superintendent. He returned to his alma mater as chief of staff in 2015, and then stepped into the role of vice president for student affairs and enrollment management.

“I am honored to have the trust and support of the Board of Trustees, and excited to officially lead the university that has meant so much to me personally and professionally,” said Cook. “We have a bright future ahead of us and I am committed to leading us all toward new levels of success.

The decision to remove the interim tag from Cook’s title was applauded by Dr. Al Rankins Jr., Commissioner of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, and Demetrius Johnson Jr, Founder, President and CEO of the HBCU Campaign Fund.

”At this juncture in Alcorn’s history, Dr. Cook is the right choice to lead the university to greater prominence,” said Rankins. “I understand and appreciate the work that lies ahead for him. Alcorn State University is fortunate to have him at the helm.”

“The Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning has made a delicate and wise decision to permanently name Dr. Cook as the 21st President of Alcorn State University. I commend the Board for selecting such a passionate and strong leader as Dr. Cook, who will continue to lead Alcorn to its preeminent,” said Johnson. “Dr. Cook’s leadership will be bright at Alcorn, and we at HCF look forward to supporting him in this journey at an institution that is significantly meaningful to us all. I send my best wishes to Dr. Cook.”

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