Last month, the Southern University System (SUS) Board of Supervisors named Alvin R. Washington as the chancellor of the Southern University Law Center. Washington has been serving as the interim chancellor since May 2024 after past chancellor John K. Pierre assumed the role of chancellor of the Southern University Baton Rouge campus.

The Board’s approval comes at the recommendation of Southern University System President Dennis J. Shields, who appointed a search committee composed of Southern alumni, students, faculty and staff, and community leaders. The committee received applications from a national search firm.

“Attorney Washington has a sterling record as an outstanding lawyer and has provided extraordinary leadership as the interim chancellor. I will enjoy working with him as the new chancellor of the Law Center.”

– Dennis J. Shields, president of the Southern University System

“I believe the Law Center will be in a great place with Mr. Washington. I think he knows how to intertwine the administrative part of running a law school with the best interest of the students.”

– Tony Clayton, chairman of the Southern University Board of Supervisors

“We applaud the Southern University System Board of Supervisors and System President Dennis Shields on their recommendation and appointment of Alvin R. Washington as the next chancellor of the Southern University Law Center. Washington’s unwavering leadership will undoubtedly be what’s best in interest for the students and continuing the the remarkable footsteps of past chancellor John K. Pierre. The organization extends its heartfelt congratulations and pledges our unwavering support under Washington’s leadership. We look forward to immense success for SULC and the Southern University campus community.”

– Demetrius Johnson Jr., founder, President & CEO of the HBCU Campaign Fund

Washington is the managing professor for the Law Center’s Mediation Clinic. He also serves as a faculty member, teaching courses such as legal research, statutory analysis, alternate dispute resolution, and legal negotiations. Throughout his career, Washington has held community-focused roles, demonstrating expertise in insurance and civil rights.

Washington received his B.S. degree from Grambling State University in 1983 and his J.D. from Southern University Law Center in 1987. While stationed in Long Beach, California, he served as a military trial lawyer and department head of the claims division in the United State Navy. He was also appointed as a special assistant to the United States Attorney General for the Central District of California.

“As I step into this role of leading the Southern University Law Center, my primary focus will be on collaborating with our faculty, staff, and students to improve our first-time and ultimate bar passage rates. This goal is crucial for our institution’s success, as it directly impacts the future careers of our students and further advances our mission of providing legal educational opportunities to the underserved and producing lawyer leaders.”

– Alvin R. Washington, Southern University Law Center chancellor-elect

Washington has been involved in several community organization, including the 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, Baton Rouge Branch NAACP, Baton Rouge Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, Habitat for Humanity, and the South Louisiana Charter Foundation.

He will begin his time as chancellor of Southern University Law Center once a contract is approved by the Southern University Board of Supervisors. His official start date is forthcoming.

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